Demystifying the Public Health PhD Application Process
When I was applying to PhD programs, I felt like I knew little about the process or what to look for in a program. I’ve loved my PhD experience, but there are many elements that shape a PhD program that I am only now aware of after being in one. occasionally get messages from prospective public health PhD students seeking peer-to-peer advice, so I wanted to share a few things that I consistently mention. Hopefully this can be helpful for future PhD applicants!
Where to get program-specific details and information
You may learn about a PhD program from a mentor, friend, or online. The program’s website is usually the first place you’ll go for information on the program’s focus, core competencies, pre-requisites and requirements, and hopefully (but not always) some information about available funding options. You can also browse recent publications from program faculty and students on Google Scholar or PubMed to see if their work aligns with your interests. But program websites only go so far, and it’s helpful to actually talk to faculty or students to understand the program’s nuances.
Reaching out to faculty
It’s a good idea to reach out to faculty whose research interests you. You can use the faculty page to identify potential mentors, review their work, and then send a brief email expressing interest in connecting. If you have any existing connections (e.g., a current co-worker knows a faculty member), you could ask them to introduce you. Unless the website says otherwise (sometimes programs don’t allow faculty to meet with prospective students), it’s worth trying. Connecting can be helpful, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a reply. It doesn’t mean you aren’t a strong candidate; faculty may forget to reply, or there might be an unstated rule against correspondence. If you aren’t able to talk to faculty prior to applying, you’ll likely be able to make connections and ask these questions during the interview process and/or after acceptance.
Reaching out to current or recent students
Reaching out to students is something I wish I had done more of when I was applying. While students have no role in admissions, they’re often the best source for honest insights into program structure, which faculty may be less familiar with. You can try tracking down student emails (may be found on student profiles, Google Scholar, or in the author info section of publications), or, can reach out on LinkedIn. You could talk to students before applying to gauge interest, and/or after acceptance to decide what program is the best fit.
What to ask faculty and students about
Funding options
A key admissions factor is how well your research interests align with the program’s funded work. Ask faculty and/or students how PhD students are funded, whether it’s via fellowships, training grants, or research assistantships, and what requirements come with each. For example, will you be required to do a certain number of non-dissertation research hours? Is there a teaching requirement? Is there a topical requirement for your dissertation? Funding is often tied to specific research areas, which can shape your focus and responsibilities. Once you understand the program’s funding options, you can tailor your statement of purpose to show fit with a fundable area. Some applicants target one specific area in their statement, while others keep it broader. Both approaches can work, as long as your statement tells a clear, compelling story about your research interests and how they tie in with the program.
When comparing programs, also ask about the living stipend, including its amount, duration, and whether it’s livable for the area. Students may be the best source for this. Ask how long (if at all) funding is guaranteed, what happens after that period ends (i.e., what sources of support are available if your funding ends and you haven’t finished yet), and what the healthcare coverage is like. What works for others may not work for you, and vice versa, so it’s good to get diverse perspectives, and if possible, try to connect with students who share similar life circumstances (e.g., having a family, being an international student).
Program course and dissertation requirements
Both faculty and students can help you understand course content beyond what’s listed online. Ask about core competencies, research methods taught (and in what depth), and the balance between quantitative and qualitative training. Also inquire about available concentrations and/or elective courses to see how well they align with your interests and skills.
Most PhD programs involve two years of coursework, a qualifying assessment (which may or may not be in exam format) and then a dissertation with a proposal and final defense. Ask how this process works in the program. A good question for students specifically is whether they feel the structure supports their timely progression, especially the transition to the dissertation phase.
Mentorship, and structure vs. flexibility
PhD programs vary in structure, and even different tracks within the same program could have different requirements. Mentorship plays a major role in your success, so it’s important to understand how these relationships are formed. Ask who you’d work with and how research projects are assigned. Are you given or do you choose an advisor, and how often would you meet? Will you be placed on research projects or choose your own? Will you work with one or multiple mentors? Some programs offer more structure through assigned projects, while others are flexible but might require more initiative, like asking around to faculty of interest to see if you can work with them. Each has pros and cons, and your preference probably depends on your personal work style.
Also ask how mentorship works during the dissertation phase, including how you would go about selecting a dissertation chair, and how committees are formed. Does your advisor from before your dissertation have to be your chair? Or are you encouraged to branch out to work with different faculty? Students can often provide the most helpful insight here.
Research environment and resources
Program resources shape the kind of research you can do. Ask faculty and students what datasets are available, and how accessible they are to students. Check if the program is affiliated with other institutions that you might be able to partner with. For example, you may be able to collaborate with a local hospital, public health department, or community group to work on an ongoing project or make a novel contribution to their existing work. While there is definitely room for collecting your own data, it’s usually most feasible to at least begin by building your research off an existing data source or an institutional partnership, versus creating new ones from scratch. To get a sense of the environment and resources, ask both students and faculty what sources are used currently. Ask students about how they built up their own dissertation projects from ongoing work, and what that process was like.
Conclusion
There’s no perfect formula for doing a PhD. Success often comes from finding good program fit and taking initiative to ask questions when things are unclear. The PhD journey is as much about the people and environment as it is about the research. Ask questions, stay curious, and trust your instincts.
