I was scorned on my first attempt applying to doctoral programs. I knew it was a big leap going straight out of undergrad into a PhD program, so I applied to a few, along with some masters and post-bacs, to see where I fell on the spectrum of applicants. When I received continuous rejections from PhD programs, their feedback was always the same; I needed more experience. This was after spending a few hundred hard earned dollars to apply to these programs. I was discouraged, but I moved forward and took the advice. I was given the amazing opportunity to join a Masters or a Post-Bac program and I chose the PREP@UC Davis program because it offered everything I knew I needed: PhD application help and research experience.

When I began my tenure in PREP, I already had a couple years of research experience under my belt, I was involved in an NIH program, and I was on the executive board of many organizations and philanthropies in my undergraduate career. I believed I was a strong candidate for PhD programs. However, I was told that I needed more focus on research skill sets, and improve my application essays. After joining PREP, I was helped by a team of scholars and academics who tweaked my application to become stronger. Moreover, I worked more independently in the lab.

When application season returned, I was paranoid and anxious about the outcome. It drove me to apply to 11 programs. Thankfully through PREP, I did not have to pay for most of the applications, which is probably why I made such an ambitious decision. I was pleased to have received 9 interview invites -- requiring mental endurance it takes to go through 9 interview weeks -- followed by 9 acceptances with fellowship offers.

My application was much stronger than before and I was ready to join a PhD program.

I did not need to apply to so many programs in order to hear the same result.

After all those interviews,  I decided to attend the USC Dornsife Molecular Biology PhD program, which was my second interview. I would never have gotten into my dream program if I hadn't applied a second time.

While I understand being cautious, no matter the outcome of your applications, take on what you are ready for. Though the competition grows incredibly tough each year, when you are ready, it will shine through on your applications.

It is never about how fast you get into your dream program, it’s about the necessary steps you took to get there. Save your time and money and be strategic!

You can do this!