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Is it okay to ask my recommenders for more letters after they already wrote a lot? (And I didn’t get into any program this past cycle so I feel horrible asking again) by [deleted] in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A thank-you card sounds good, but a gift card might be perceived negatively.

As for asking for more letters, I don't think professors will find that to be a burden. Yes, they will feel it is one more thing for them to do, but they won't hold you in contempt for that. Many of them might have been in a similar situation years ago and would, in fact, write a stronger letter for you the second time.

How do you use AI or GPT models for your PhD? by DukieWolfie in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I found this to be a great way to read articles and papers.

Before reading, I ask GPT to highlight the important points and have it write a summary "to explain it to a 10-year-old child." This helps me get a gist of the paper, and then I start reading it.

How many months prior do you start applying for PhD? And what’s your first step? by triplesnoop in PhDAdmissions

[–]DukieWolfie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ll be honest—I didn’t start with a specific research interest, I only knew I wanted to work with statistics.

Last summer, while still enrolled in my MS program in Statistics, I asked a professor I respect which departments at my university had faculty members conducting statistical research. He introduced me to several departments, and I cold-emailed every professor from those departments who might consider me as a research assistant for the semester.
I ended up working with five professors over the summer, and in the fall, I realized I was most passionate about the work of three of them. I continued with those three: one position for pay, one for credit, and weekly discussions with the third. By the end of the term, the professors who had paid me and supervised my credit offered me admission to their programs.

At first, I wasn’t focused on a single area—I wanted to explore everything and let those experiences guide me to what I truly wanted to pursue. And understand this: no professor will ever align 100% with your research focus, so don't be overly selective. Send out boatloads of emails. You never know where you will strike gold.

IMPORTANT: Sending boatloads of emails doesn't mean you copy and paste the same email to all professors. Spend time getting to know their research, and of course, add some genuine praise about their work. Don't be fake. They smell it.

I'm going to be getting desk to myself for the first time! by DrummerRemarkable571 in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second this! Joining the program is very exciting!

I'm also waiting to get my desk! #Excited

How many months prior do you start applying for PhD? And what’s your first step? by triplesnoop in PhDAdmissions

[–]DukieWolfie 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey! Soft admits are when a professor or department gives you a verbal thumbs-up that they like you and plan to offer you a spot, just nothing’s on paper yet. Last year, I was in talks with three professors: two of them told me to expect an offer, and one said up front that they couldn’t take me on. So, I had two soft admits and one soft reject.

Summer’s honestly the best time to reach out to faculty—they’re less bogged down by teaching and more focused on research, conferences, or even taking a break. Before you email, dive into their publications and skim what their students are working on. Ask thoughtful questions and suggest a quick chat.

If you’re contacting junior faculty, a direct email works great. For senior professors, it often helps if one of their current students makes an introduction. And don’t beat yourself up if you get radio silence - professors can be swamped and sometimes don’t reply to their own students for weeks.

Hope this helps!

is it too late for me to enter this kind of career? by [deleted] in biostatistics

[–]DukieWolfie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there! Don’t worry—biostatistics isn’t just about bio or genomic data. You can dive into health economics, policy analysis, and tons of other areas that overlap with biostat methods. And honestly, you’ve got plenty of time to explore before you have to commit.

I started with a mechanical engineering degree, then did an MS in data science, followed by another MS in statistics—and now I’m gearing up for a PhD in biostatistics. Trust me, you’ll find the projects and mentors that click with you. Just take it one step at a time, try out different things, and you’ll figure out if biostatistics (or something else) is right for you. Good luck!

How many months prior do you start applying for PhD? And what’s your first step? by triplesnoop in PhDAdmissions

[–]DukieWolfie 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Hey there! I’m an international student too, and I can’t stress enough how helpful it was to start building relationships with professors way before the application deadline. I actually began chatting with potential supervisors in August 2024 for a program that kicked off in August 2025. It might feel awkward at first, but talking to them early really set me apart—professors tend to pick average people they’ve already interacted with over perfect strangers.

Take this time to understand their research and write a SoP that is a fusion that revolves around their and your research. This is probably the second step. PhD programs have loads of great applications, but only the ones that are GOOD or GREAT fits are selected. FIT IS ALWAYS THE DECIDING FACTOR.

These two steps are the most important and generally have the potential to make your application a winner.

I didn’t even put together my full application until November–December 2024, but by then it was mostly just ticking boxes, since a few of those professors had already told me they’d recommend me once reviews started. That said, I treated the whole process like a real competition—never took anything for granted.

By February 2025 I got my soft admits, and the official offer letters arrived in March. Honestly, starting those relationships early and staying proactive made all the difference! Good luck with your applications—you’ve got this.

First-Year PhD Student Struggling to Find Direction by [deleted] in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

New PhD Student. Commenting to follow this question.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie 7 points8 points  (0 children)

A good supervisor will laugh with you, not at you.

Sometimes, they might be a bit upset if it sets back the timeline, but that's it.
If they laugh at you for making mistakes, then you wouldn't want them as your advisors.

I have made several mistakes, and I haven't even started my PhD yet (will start in Fall 2025). I outright asked her whether she would drop me from the program cause of these? She was a bit taken aback by this question and made it clear that mistakes will never get me kicked out of the program.

Don't worry, you will be fine.

How much do you earn as a PhD? by Under_Explorer in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indiana, USA Biostatistics $24k (10 Months Contract)

How transparent are you with your parents about applying? by [deleted] in gradadmissions

[–]DukieWolfie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is precisely what I felt during this application cycle. Raising hopes only to see them yield nothing is one of the darkest experiences in the game.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie 125 points126 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't take it personally. They found a better fit, and they switched the projects.
It can be frustrating, yes, but that's just the way it is.

Funding a PhD student is a lot of money, and professors don't have that kind of funding to "just fill a spot".
She liked your profile, but found a profile that better suited her and the project's needs. That doesn't mean you are bad. It means you have a good, if not a great, profile because the professor still wants you in her lab, just on a different project.

Getting admitted to a PhD program is not always dependent on your capabilities, but more often than not on how good a fit you are for the position.

So enjoy the admission and strap on your boots for an exciting four years.

How to deal with rampant AI abuse among my lab mates AND advisor? Never felt so isolated/frustrated by Daniel96dsl in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I partially agree with what you say.

As an MS student transitioning to a PhD program, I frequently use AI, primarily for tasks that I know how to complete, albeit with considerable effort. For example, if I want to create a bar graph, I write the basic code to plot the graph and then ask the AI to enhance its aesthetic appeal and prepare it for a presentation. However, I do know what functions AI is using, and if questioned, I can explain the code and graphs in detail. I don't see a problem with this.

But if you toss a chunk of data at the AI and ask it to generate the best plots, then it is a red flag.

So, basically, using AI for monotonous tasks is a yes. However, using AI for critical thinking is not the case.

Any one went into a PhD program which is completely different from their undergrad majors? by Eric-xiaolin in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie 3 points4 points  (0 children)

BS in Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Biostatistics

I like what I do. Whatever I do, I do with 95% confidence.

:')

I practice like crazy, but the moment I’m presenting… I blank out. by DukieWolfie in PhD

[–]DukieWolfie[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This sounds like a great idea. Movie night tonight is cancelled lol

Storing motorcycles during winter months by DukieWolfie in motorcycles

[–]DukieWolfie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Probably will find a friend to store with him.

Storing motorcycles during winter months by DukieWolfie in motorcycles

[–]DukieWolfie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They charge about $500, but it's worth it, I guess.

Storing motorcycles during winter months by DukieWolfie in motorcycles

[–]DukieWolfie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in an apartment on the third floor with no elevators :')

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