FAQs about applying to epidemiology doctoral programs – Society for Epidemiologic Research

Ask the Experts: Tips on Applying to Epidemiology Doctoral Programs

You’ve made the exciting choice to apply to epidemiology doctoral programs – now what? Navigating the application process can seem daunting when you first begin. Below 10 SER members provide some of their top tips for applying to epidemiology doctoral programs. Of course, it is always a great idea to attend an SER annual meeting to meet some of the outstanding epidemiologists quoted below, as well as others who may share your interests, in person. We hope you will check out all of the great things SER has to offer!

How important is it to have relevant work experience before applying to doctoral programs?

“Any relevant work experience can be very valuable in your application – and perhaps most personally valuable as those experiences and internships can help you decide what you want your career path to look like. But having relevant work experience is not an absolute – working in other areas not related to your doctoral program of interest can bring a fresh perspective to the field. Additionally, it can impact more global concepts like understanding group dynamics (learned from many work experiences) and confirm the potential doctoral program as an alternative to the non-related work experience.”
– Sunni Mumford, Ph.D., Investigator, Epidemiology Branch Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Will I be a competitive applicant if I don’t have any publications?

“There are many attributes and accomplishments that admissions committees look for in doctoral program applicants. Applicants come from diverse academic backgrounds and experiences, some of which lead to opportunities for journal publication and some of which do not. There is no doubt that experience in scientific writing and publication is a positive credential for an applicant, but there are many other factors that would easily make a candidate competitive even without this credential. Likewise, students with publications may still not be considered competitive if they lack other important attributes, for example adequate coursework, good academic performance or positive letters of recommendation. Therefore I would say that publication experience is a relevant factor, but not an overriding one, and we accept many fine students each year without any published papers.”
– Jay Kaufman, Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health McGill University

What are important components of the personal statement?

“The personal statement is arguably one of the most valuable components of your PhD application. It’s an important opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are beyond your academic record and test scores. Different institutions have different requirements, so be sure to follow instructions. But there are general guidelines for writing it.
The personal statement should highlight experiences, strengths, and skillsets that will help you succeed in your doctoral studies. It should answer a number of key questions: Why a doctorate? Why epidemiology? What life experiences do you have that will contribute to your development as a scientist and scholar? Non-academic experiences can count for a lot, so be sure to highlight them when relevant.
Finally, do not write one generic personal statement for all your applications, but be sure to tailor your application to the institution. Once accepted, graduate schools commit a lot of resources to ensure your success. Show them that you understand what each university has to offer you, and how you will use them to succeed.”
– Ashley Naimi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh

Should I contact faculty members prior to applying?

Yes, you should contact faculty whose research you find most interesting. But first you should contact the administrative staff person who coordinates the doctoral program. Each doctoral program is a little different in expectations and the doctoral program coordinator can help orient you before you talk to faculty.”
– Richard MacLehose, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota

What types of questions should I ask current students in the program?

“Do advisers get assigned during the admission process? That is, does the student know who their adviser is when they start the program? If not, what is the process by which the student identifies their adviser? Are students expected to collect data during their training? How would they describe student culture in the program?”
– Irene Yen, Ph.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

Who should write my letters of recommendation?

“Letter writers should be high-ranking individuals who know you well and are willing to write you a strong letter. Academic advisers, work/research supervisors, heads of organizations or committees you\’ve been part of are good options. But, it is important that the person knows you well enough to comment on your knowledge base, skill set, likelihood of success (or whatever is being asked of them) that their letter speaks strongly to these characteristics. Finally, be certain that the letter writer will speak of you highly and enthusiastically. If you had a so-so experience with your supervisor, it may be better to pass over him/her for someone else who will write a glowing letter with lots of specifics about your positive qualities.”
– Lisa Bodnar, Ph.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh

How will I know if a school is a good fit for me?

“Ask yourself what’s most important to you. Here are a few questions (in no particular order) that students might consider when choosing a program that’s right for them:
-Does the curriculum look like it will provide you with the skills you want to develop?
-Does the school have a good reputation for training students in your area of interest?
-Does the school have faculty members with whom, or studies on which, you would like to do your dissertation?
-What size of program feels right to you (e.g., small vs. large; low vs. high student-to-faculty ratio)?
-Does the school offer financial aid (how much?)
-Is part-time study available (some students want to keep their full-time jobs)?
-Is there a diverse student body?
-Is the location a good fit (e.g., for proximity to family)?
Priorities will differ depending on the student. I think it’s a good idea to create a pros vs. cons list, ranking these in order of importance.”
-Lauren Wise, ScD, Professor of Epidemiology, Boston University

What’s the difference between a PhD and a DrPH?

“Traditionally the DrPH has been for clinicians or others with professional degrees who are looking to extend their research expertise but for whom clinical work will remain a primary focus, whereas the PhD has been for the student who plans to focus on academic research as a more primary career goal. That said, there is quite a bit of overlap both in terms of the content of each degree program, the students who choose one or the other, and the directions that students with each degree take after graduation.”
– Kerry Keyes, PhD, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Columbia University

Is it important to consider diversifying my training by switching institutions between my masters and doctorate?

“I think that, while it is not essential to switch institutions between masters and doctoral programs (I did not, and I have seen many people who have done very well in their careers without switching) I do think there are strong benefits to moving between institutions that everyone considering a PhD program should think about. The most obvious is that moving to a new institution prepares students in more than one way of epidemiologic thinking. Different programs have different emphases and different ways of teaching concepts and learning from multiple viewpoints can make you a stronger researcher, teacher and colleague. The second advantage is building your professional network. The more people you get to know and work with while studying, the easier it is later in your career to seek mentorship, build collaborations and expand the input you can get on your work. Finally, I think that moving between institutions is helpful for those who are going on to work in an academic environment because it allows you to see the diversity in the way academic institutions are run and gives you more information and experiences to draw on to decide what is right for you. It also gives you the opportunity to bring new ideas to your institution by being more informed about how things are done elsewhere.”
-Matthew Fox, D.Sc, M.P.H., Professor of Epidemiology and Global Health, Boston University

Are there any other things that would set my application apart?

“Doctoral programs thrive when students form a natural community, so use your application to show how you would be a valuable member of that community. Highlight the cooperative efforts that enabled your achievements. Spend time turning your personal statement into a genuinely great read instead of a dry travelogue of your experiences and accomplishments. Be clever and creative in unexpected ways–I once saw a business card composed in SAS syntax. These things will help you escape the two-dimensional confines of the page and resonate with committee members on a human level.”
-Thomas Ahern, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Vermont