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Interested in applying directly to PhD programs after undergraduate study, or wondering how research experience, publications, grades, and recommendation letters are weighed in the application process? Join this session of our PhD Application Series, featuring two 2024 Fall applicants who are now pursuing PhDs at UCLA and Princeton University.
Date & Time
September 21 (Saturday) / September 22 (Sunday)
- Eastern Time (US): September 21, 9:00–10:00 PM
- Pacific Time (US): September 21, 6:00–7:00 PM
- Beijing Time: September 22, 9:00–10:00 AM
Speakers
Runtian Wu | UCLA — Molecular Biology
Runtian graduated from Imperial College London with an undergraduate degree in Biology. He applied to PhD programs in both the US and the UK during his third year of undergraduate study.
During the application cycle, he received seven interview invitations and offers from Cornell BMCB, WashU DBBS Molecular Cell Biology, and UCLA GREAT, ultimately joining UCLA, where he is now a first-year PhD student in molecular biology.
At the time of application, his research experience consisted primarily of two summer research projects at the University of Cambridge and The Rockefeller University, without publications. Academically, he was named to the Dean’s List during his first two years at Imperial and earned First-Class standing. Outside the laboratory, he served as an education vice president in the Imperial College student union, authored a book on education reform in China, and writes poetry.
His current scientific interests include both neuroscience and plant biology. In this session, Runtian will share his experience applying directly from undergraduate study, as well as practical lessons from navigating PhD applications with relatively limited research time and no publications.
Amaranth | Princeton University — Neuroscience
Amaranth completed undergraduate training at a leading university in China, graduating within the top 5% of the class. During undergraduate study, Amaranth participated in multiple research projects spanning systems neuroscience and neurological disease.
After graduation, Amaranth worked for approximately 1.5 years as a research assistant at a research institute within the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This research experience contributed to publications and helped build a strong set of recommendation letters.
During the 2024 application cycle, Amaranth received more than ten PhD offers in the US and ultimately joined the Princeton Neuroscience PhD Program.
In this session, Amaranth will share perspectives on strengthening a PhD application through sustained research experience, recommendation letters, program selection, and clear communication of research interests.
About the Session
The session will include experience sharing from both speakers followed by an open Q&A.
Topics will include, but are not limited to:
- Applying directly to PhD programs from undergraduate study
- Academic and research background
- School and program selection strategies
- Applying with or without publications
- The role of sustained research experience and recommendation letters
- CV, statement, and interview preparation
- What matters most in a PhD application
- Managing application anxiety and balancing applications with coursework and research
Join the Session
Platform: Zoom
Meeting ID: 854 9465 6972
Passcode: 253334