Kate’s Resources for writing a strong grant (focused on the NRSA):

Kate’s Tips for getting into Graduate School

A practical guide for prospective graduate students, especially applicants to neuroscience and psychology PhD programs.

Graduate school applications and interviews can feel opaque. Below are my suggestions for how to write a strong personal statement and how to approach graduate school interviews. This advice comes from my experience with neuroscience PhD admissions at one R1 institution, so treat it as one perspective—not the only way to do this.

✍️ Writing a Strong Personal Statement

🌱 1. Start with what got you into neuroscience

Briefly explain what drew you to neuroscience.

You do not need to tell a traumatic life story or create an elaborate origin story. Neuroscience is inherently cool. It is okay to simply explain what interests you and why.

Keep this section brief. The goal is to orient the reader, not to make the whole statement about your backstory.

🔬 2. Describe your research experience and how it shaped your interests

Your research experience is often the core of the statement. When you describe a project, help the reader understand the scientific context and your role.

A useful structure:

What was known?

What was unknown?

What did you do to address the question?

What did you find?

What does it mean?

What did you do next?

This helps the reader see not only what you worked on, but how you think scientifically.

🧗 3. Explain challenges honestly

If you had challenges along the way, or if things did not work out as planned, that is okay.

Describe what happened and what you did next. This can show tenacity, problem-solving, and growth. Turn your challenges into demonstration of your tenacity & growth.

🌎 4. Write for a broad scientific audience

Some people reading your application may work in areas of neuroscience that are very different from yours.

Describe your research clearly enough that a smart scientist outside your specific subfield can understand:

the question
the approach
your contribution
why the work matters

Avoid assuming that every reader knows the methods, model system, or conceptual framework of your research area.

🧰 5. No research experience? Do not panic.

If you do not have research experience, write about the experiences you do have and how they prepared you for graduate study.

Examples might include:

coursework
volunteering
work experience
independent projects
mentoring or teaching
clinical, community, or technical experience

Whatever your experience is, own it. Be confident. You have probably done some pretty cool things—tell the committee that.

🎯 6. Explain what you want to study in graduate school

Tell readers what you want to study and learn in graduate school.

Explain:

what broad questions interest you
what approach to neuroscience you want to take
why those questions or approaches matter to you
how graduate training will help you develop

You do not need to have your entire dissertation planned, but the reader should see that you have thought seriously about your intellectual direction.

🧭 7. Connect graduate study to your career goals

Briefly describe your ultimate career goal and how graduate study will help you get there.

You do not need to have everything figured out. It is normal for your goals to be in development. But it helps to show that you have thought about why a PhD is the right next step for you.

🧩 8. Tailor each statement to the program

Explain why you are a good fit for the specific program.

Be concrete. For example:

Which faculty are you interested in working with?
Why are their research programs a good fit for your interests?
What features of the program would support your training goals?
How does the program connect to the kind of scientist you want to become?

Each statement should be tailored to the school you are applying to.

👥 9. Get feedback—and use it

Have someone else read your statement.

This could be:

a mentor
a colleague
a friend
a roommate
a family member
anyone willing to give thoughtful feedback

Then—and this is important—actually listen to and use what they say to improve your statement.

✅ Personal Statement Checklist

Before submitting, ask yourself:

🌱 Did I explain what drew me to neuroscience?
🔬 Did I describe my research or relevant experience clearly?
🧠 Did I explain what was known, what was unknown, what I did, what I found, and why it matters?
🌎 Did I write for a broad scientific audience?
🎯 Did I explain what I want to study in graduate school?
🧭 Did I briefly connect graduate study to my career goals?
🧩 Did I tailor the statement to the specific program?
👩‍🔬 Did I name specific faculty or program features when appropriate?
👥 Did someone else read it?
✏️ Did I revise based on feedback?

🎤 Interviewing for Graduate School

🌟 The big picture

If you are invited to interview, that is a good sign. The program already sees promise in your application. The interview is a chance for them to learn more about you—and for you to learn more about them.

You are not just trying to be chosen. You are also evaluating whether the program, advisor, research environment, and community are a good fit for you.

🗣️ 1. Prepare to talk about your research

You should be ready to explain your research clearly and conversationally.

Practice explaining:

the big question
why the question matters
what was known before your project
what was unknown
what you did
what you found
what the result means
what you would do next

The goal is not to memorize a script. The goal is to be comfortable talking about your work in a way that is clear to scientists outside your immediate area.

🏛️ 2. Know why you are interested in the program

Before the interview, review the program and the faculty you might want to work with.

Be ready to explain:

why this program
why this field
why these faculty
why this training environment
how the program fits your goals

Specificity helps. “I am interested in this program because Professor X studies Y using Z approach, which connects to my interest in…” is stronger than “This is a great program.”

❓ 3. Prepare questions for faculty

Interviews are conversations. You should have questions ready.

Possible questions for faculty:

What projects are current students working on?
What kinds of questions is the lab most excited about right now?
How do students typically develop dissertation projects?
What is your mentoring style?
How often do you meet with graduate students?
How do students in the lab collaborate with one another?
What skills or qualities help students thrive in your lab?
Where have former students gone after graduating?

🧑‍🎓 4. Prepare questions for current students

Current students can give you a different and very important perspective.

Possible questions for students:

What is the culture of the program like?
How supported do students feel?
What is the advising like?
How do students choose labs?
What is the workload like?
Are students collaborative?
What do you wish you had known before joining?
What is it like to live here?
Are students happy?

Pay attention not only to what people say, but also to how they say it.

🚀 5. Be ready to discuss your goals—but you do not need a perfect plan

You may be asked about your long-term goals. It is okay if they are still developing.

A good answer shows that you have thought about possible paths and that graduate school is an intentional next step.

You might say something like:

I am interested in pursuing a research-focused career, and I am especially excited about developing the skills to ask mechanistic questions about behavior and neural circuits. I am still learning about the range of career paths available, but I know that I want rigorous research training and mentorship that will help me grow as a scientist.

⚖️ 6. Remember that fit goes both ways

A graduate program is not just choosing you. You are choosing a training environment that will shape several years of your life.

Think about:

mentorship style
lab culture
program structure
funding
expectations
scientific fit
professional development
student well-being
location and quality of life

It is okay to take these things seriously.

✨ 7. Be professional, but be yourself

You do not need to perform a fake version of yourself.

Be thoughtful, engaged, respectful, and prepared. Ask real questions. Show genuine curiosity. Let your excitement for science come through.

Graduate programs are looking for people who can think, learn, collaborate, persist, and grow.

✅ Interview Preparation Checklist

📌 Before the interview

📄 Review your application materials.
🗣️ Practice explaining your research out loud.
🏛️ Read about the program.
👩‍🔬 Identify faculty you may want to meet.
📚 Read recent papers or abstracts from potential mentors.
❓ Prepare questions for faculty.
🧑‍🎓 Prepare questions for students.
🎯 Think about your goals.
🤝 Think about what you need in a mentor and training environment.
🧳 Plan logistics so you are not rushed.

📝 After the interview

✍️ Write down impressions while they are fresh.
💭 Note what you liked and what concerned you.
📧 Follow up with thank-you emails if appropriate.
⚖️ Compare programs based on fit, mentorship, training, and well-being—not just prestige.

🌈 Final Thoughts

You do not need to be perfect to be a strong applicant.

Tell the committee what you have done, what you have learned, what excites you, and why graduate training is the right next step. Be clear. Be specific. Be confident. Get feedback. Revise.

And remember: this is just one person’s advice. Get advice from multiple people, especially mentors and current graduate students in your field.

Good luck! 🎓🧠✨