Everyday Ethics

The first time that I applied to graduate study in philosophy, I applied to four programs and struggled with keeping track of all that was required for each school.  My more recent application experience involved applying to ten schools, and this required a comprehensive organizational system.  Trying to keep track of what ten different schools want from you, when they want it, and in what format they prefer it is not something that can be simply scribbled down on a Post-It note, and the following tips are intended to help you get organized for your PhD application process.

 
1.  Create a “Master List” and keep everything important on it
My recommendation here is to use a spreadsheet program, like Microsoft Excel, to keep track of your pertinent data and information.  You need to keep track of deadlines, requirements, formats, websites, passwords, and a host of other tediously formulated concepts.  The master list can simplify keeping track of all this information, both saving you time in not having to search for where you left some important tidbit of information and allowing you to feel confident that your data is safe and secure.  Philosophy department websites are not always well designed, and finding the info you need can be an arduous task.  It is much easier and more efficient to find relevant information once, and then record it in your own, easy to use format.  Multiply the time savings that this produces by the number of programs you are applying to, and you have just made your application process much easier and freed up more time to focus on things like writing sample and recommendations. 

2.  Do easy things first
A substantial amount of your application materials are items that you don’t have to do much with, other than submit it.  GRE scores and transcript requests are two great examples of tasks that are somewhat time-consuming, but really easy to complete.  Cross these off your list as soon as possible so that you can focus on tasks that are more difficult.  The application process is not something that you should complete in a single day, and knocking out simple tasks early is a great way to get the process started and makes you feel like you are making progress.  Later on, the tasks become more difficult and take longer to complete, so it’s good to get some momentum going early on.

3.  Ask for help
PhD applications are very personal, as you are essentially giving a marketing presentation of yourself, with the hope that one of your potential suitors will “make a purchase.”  There is a tendency among most people to want to do everything yourself, even the most tedious tasks like entering your address in ten different online applications or requesting GRE scores for each school.  Don’t let your own neurosis get in the way of doing things efficiently.  If your wife, girlfriend, or a good pal are willing to handle some of the simpler and more impersonal tasks for you, let them do it.  This will allow you more time to focus on things like a personal statement and writing sample.  You’re acceptance into a PhD program probably will not be dictated by how well you typed your emergency contact’s name, whereas your writing sample will likely make a huge difference in where you get it.  Focus your own energies on the most important tasks, and leave the grunt work to anyone who is willing to help you with it.

Applying to PhD programs, especially the number recommended for philosophy graduate students, is a massively time-consuming task.  The amount of detail that the applicant must keep track of can itself be daunting, but by getting organized, focusing on important tasks, and asking for help, you can make the process more bearable, as well as increasing your chances of success. 
 

About the Author

Elijah Weber is a graduate student at Bowling Green State University. He holds a Master's degree in philosophy from Colorado State University, and Bachelor’s degrees in sociology and philosophy from Chapman Univerity. He currently lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife Laura, his son Brandon, age two and a half, and two cats, both of whom are mentally deranged.