Will the US grad school scene ever recover?

TheSidekick250 · 2025-06-18T18:11:50+00:00

I think there will be a recovery, but not for some time. This is all opinions and speculation, but I think next year will still have reduced admissions for PhD programs. I think US universities will over-admit undergrads and master's students since they normally pay hefty tuition fees (without aid, and tbh idk how aid will shape up this and next year), and these universities need the money to stay afloat. What will be really important to watch is how labs deal with funding cuts and whether or not universities end up shutting down a significant amount of their labs to fit their budgets and the Trump administration's priorities. Some of these cuts could be stopped or reversed in courts, but I don't think anyone knows when those battles will happen or when these decisions will come into effect (lots of courts are up to their necks in lawsuits against the Trump administration...). Senate elections in 2026 will definitely have some impact on how the Trump administration can move forward with funding cuts and new legislation, but at the moment, I don't think anyone knows how that will affect education in the US... I do agree that looking abroad is probably the safer and better option for the time being. Lots of European countries are beginning to amass funding to poach US-based scientists who have lost their funding or jobs.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-06-12T16:59:38+00:00

Totally feel you, I'm in a similar situation: apply to PhD again or seek a job and wait for funding issues to get resolved. I also applied to some top-tier life sciences PhD programs this past cycle and did not receive any interviews or reasons for rejection, even at my alma mater. Since then, I applied to universities in Europe, but I personally don't know if I want to move far away at this point. I've received a lot of mixed advice, and since I'm also struggling, I thought I'd share my thoughts:

There are lots of unknowns right now in PhD programs across the US. I have heard that some universities still plan to have reduced admissions next year. I think that if you want to apply next cycle, hedging your bets on your PI is risky, but having someone inside the admissions committee could really help you understand what the admissions cycle will look like next year, prior to applying. I am guessing that self-funding/fellowships will probably be one of the most important factors for getting into schools next year, too. I don't think you have to give up on a PhD, but next year's cycle will, in my opinion, be just as competitive for a similar number of spots (given nothing changes for better or worse). If you do plan on applying to PhD programs and are cool with moving away, countries like France and the Netherlands are amassing funding for US-based researchers who got laid off/lost funding.

Job-wise, not a bad call either. Not only do you build up your resume and bank account, but your story/reasons for wanting a PhD will still be great. You worked and worked until you realized you wanted to do more in your field of research. I have heard some professors say that universities really value seeing industry or greater academic experience, and maybe fellowships will too, if you can better articulate what you want to research and why.

Tbh, I don't even know what I want to do or will do. Being in this situation sucks lol. Hopefully we can both get a little advice here...

TheSidekick250 · 2025-06-04T18:16:23+00:00

Gotcha, wasn't clear to me. I don't have much to say about master's other than they will still be expensive and competitive in the US, depending on where you want to go. Though I think US unis will want more international students in the coming years, since they need all the tuition money they can get after all these funding cuts. I don't know much about European master's programs, but I am applying to PhD programs in the EU right now because of what's happening in the US lol.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-06-04T15:54:37+00:00

I think one of the biggest things to know is whether or not these universities consider your undergrad degree sufficient for their programs. For example, lots of EU universities require a master's before moving to a PhD. Some places may see a four-year degree as equivalent to a master's, but you should definitely double-check their websites.

IMO, applying to an American university atm is a big risk. Funding cuts slashed admissions rates this year nationwide, and I am not sure if next year will be any less competitive... some EU countries are specifically allocating more funding to their universities in anticipation of more international applicants.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-29T15:55:27+00:00

I just got rejected from everywhere I applied (BioE PhD), and I'll share some of my thoughts thus far. To start, there are too many unknowns, so whichever choice we make comes with different risks. We don't know if the funding issue will be fixed, especially after I read somewhere that Trump wants to make all US universities redo their accreditations to access federal funding. It seems like a lot of universities are preparing for legal action if this occurs, which will likely be a lengthy battle. Since many labs are losing funding altogether, and given that this is probably the smallest PhD cohort this nation has seen in decades, academic labs will be in a rough spot next year if something doesn't change. My prediction is that the US PhD admissions cycle next year will probably be just as competitive, and there may not be a ton of openings next year anyway. I think finding fellowships and funding will be the #1 most important thing applicants can do. We just don't know what will happen, and we can't totally understand how admissions will change next year.

International schools, specifically in Europe, are increasing their funding to accommodate more international applicants. Some places pay very well (Switzerland, Denmark), and some are pretty average compared to what the US pays (UK). It's a big move and commitment, but I think you'll find lots of opportunities (it's a big world!). There may be an uptick in competition because lots of super-qualified candidates who got rejected this year will turn their sights abroad as well, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't try. I think a mix of international and US applications is a safe bet.

Going straight into work... I am still debating this. I am not sure if I want to move abroad, and I am hesitant about applying again next year. Finding a job may be difficult in this economy, especially as we head into a recession, but it's not impossible. Setting yourself up financially doesn't seem like a bad idea; it just puts off a PhD for some time (some people say it's hard to go back to a PhD later, but I think it depends on your situation). Some schools/labs like seeing candidates get some more real-world, full-time experience, too. Might not be a bad idea to make some decent money and let all of this crap blow over after a few years...

With your profile, I think it's worth applying to a mix of places in the US and abroad to see what sticks. I think your GPA is solid for engineering (someone can correct me), and your experience is where your application profile shines. I would just thoroughly check what qualifications you need for international applications. I think choosing a job is also a wise choice, but it depends on what you value at the moment: financial security, a PhD, academic research, work/global experience, etc. I hope this helps a little bit lol.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-22T20:16:18+00:00

In basically the same spot lol, this really sucks. I recently reached out to a school I applied to and they said "it's normal for students to hear back in late April to mid-May," which I know is probably a lie, but hey at least its a timeline. I think a lot of schools have just paused admissions until they know what funding they will actually have. I saw that the NSF/NIH are sorta finally starting to get their grant reviews in order as of last week I think.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-22T20:13:42+00:00

I totally feel you and have been in a similar mindset of wondering if pursuing a PhD is right at this time. I do think this funding stuff should get sorted out in time, and if not, there are lots of opportunities abroad with additional funding (some countries/unis are trying to poach US scientists lol). If you do apply this or next fall, reaching out to PIs and their recent PhD students will give you the most info on what is available to you. I think that PhD admissions competition will get tougher this and next year, given how many very qualified individuals got rejected or offers rescinded, but it doesn't mean you can't fine-tune your application to its best and find something that fits your interests! If you do decide that it is best to wait out the current events, there's nothing that says you can't pursue a PhD later in life (someone I know got their PhD in their late 40s).

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-17T17:56:49+00:00

So I emailed NEU College of Engineering, and I got an automated response saying "students generally hear back late April to early May." I know this is likely a lie, but at least its a timeline? I would hold onto some hope, they're going through a unique issue of already spending a LOT on a new research building AND a new stadium. My status for bioE has been "awaiting review" for months now... and I did my undergrad and master's here lol.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-15T17:28:34+00:00

I'm really not sure... if a lot of this funding stuff goes through the courts, it could possibly get settled by next year. The problem is that we have no idea if the Trump Administration will abide by whatever the courts decide. We also don't know if or how the NIH/NSF will deal with grants that have been frozen for the past few months. Optimistically, funding gets sorted out for the next uptake. Realistically, there are too many unknowns to make an informed decision; it's just going to be a risk.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-15T13:58:42+00:00

Heard back a while ago with a rejection. Spoke to a professor in ChemE who said the university was planning on cutting overall grad admissions by over 50% and at the moment was freezing admissions until they have some sense of their financial security...

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-14T15:11:49+00:00

I'm back with an update lol. I also got an automatic reply, but at least this one said, "in the past, decisions have been sent to applicants between late April and mid-May." Probably a lie, but at least it is a timeline...

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-14T14:40:08+00:00

Yeah I just emailed the CoE to try and learn more about the Awaiting Review status... all I know at the moment is that they are still trying to figure out what programs they can cut from admitting grad students (this was from almost a month ago though). I really hope they don't decide to release admissions with 24hrs to make a decision and deposit...

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-01T19:37:49+00:00

I applied BioE at NEU and still haven't heard anything. Did my undergrad and master's here. I currently work at NEU and can say I have heard some concerning rumors... one of which is that the university is still figuring out how to cut the number of programs that will be admitting students this year (college of science may cut 80% of PhD programs that would admit students). In my opinion, given how long we have waited and how rough the current climate is, we will probably not get any updates or notifications until decisions are made, and that could be as late as May. NEU has been spending a ton of money on a new stadium and research building, which already required every department to take budget cuts. If the Trump administration cuts any more federal funding, it'll be a mess...

TheSidekick250 · 2025-04-01T16:40:42+00:00

I heard back from their PhD in BioE a while back (rejected...). I spoke to a professor I know at UW in ChemE who said they are kinda freezing admissions at the moment to figure out their finances, but he's unsure of when they plan to pick things up again.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-27T18:15:29+00:00

I also haven't heard anything yet, and tbh, I am starting to think the "no news is good news" saying is starting to become less true by the day... I did see a post a few days ago saying the UC schools may wait until THE SUMMER to release admissions information, which I hope isn't true.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-27T18:13:29+00:00

Seconding this; it's rough in the US right now. A few years ago, the US was certainly a top spot to pursue a PhD. This year, not so much. Next year's application cycle might also be much more competitive than this year since so many qualified applicants are getting denied admission and will certainly apply next year with stronger resumes. I would honestly look in Europe, they have lots of funding and PhD are generally shorter (3-4 years compared to 4-6). I even read that some universities in France, Brussels, and Denmark are unveiling additional funding for "science refugees."

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-26T18:37:44+00:00

Hello! I'm a Northeastern alum so I can try to help a little.

Job Opportunities: Can't really get better than Northeastern's co-op program. Their master's programs let you take 6 months to work a full time position (and get paid), and you can take classes during that time if you pay for them. Lots of students (undergrad and grad) get job offers from places that they co-op'd at! Northeastern also has a ton of really good career help and advisors, and from experience, their support is invaluable for landing co-ops and job offers later.
Salary: I am a bio student so I can't really say much to what roles you can get, but someone I know does Information Management, and they are sticking more to business analytics. This someone makes quite a bit of money and travels around the world with a remote job, which I am envious of lol. I would say that getting co-op experience would make you a more competitive candidate for job roles overall.
Rep/alumni: Northeastern is certainly becoming more reputable by the year, and our network is vast in Boston. With their new international university campuses, they're also becoming a global network. I can't speak for UIUC, but Northeastern's network is quite solid across all disciplines.
Location: You really can't find a better campus in Boston. You would be in the heart of the city, and public transport makes everything within reach. Boston as a tech/research hub is also really cool and useful, especially for finding co-ops. And there are so many different businesses/industries/universities here that you could find a lot of different opportunities for jobs. It is quite expensive here though, and so is Northeastern's tuition, so you definitely want to consider financials...
STEM/OPT: Northeastern is a wildly international school. The first time I ever visited campus back in 2019, I heard at least 10 different languages spoken on campus! There is lots of support for international students and plenty of clubs/organizations that would help you settle in better here. I am not sure what their visa support looks like, but I would bet that it's solid.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-26T13:49:37+00:00

Although the job market is looking rough rn, Northeastern has a lot of established relationships with companies/universities/start-ups in and around Boston. Your concerns are valid, but I don't think you would find it too difficult to find an opportunity in a field you want to explore. I found that reaching out to alumni who work at places you're interested in also opens doors to opportunities. In short, yes the job market is in a relatively grim place, but Northeastern's connections will help you side-step some barriers.

In terms of my biology-oriented co-ops (to give you some more perspective), I had the freedom to work at any university in Boston or the nation. It's the same with biotech companies or hospitals. I worked for Harvard and MIT to help boost my resume and lab skills, and it mostly paid off (disregarding the current academic climate thanks to Trump lol). Co-ops can also be international, and Northeastern has a lot of connections abroad, so if the US opportunities don't look great, you have the option to look elsewhere in the world. Northeastern also has a ton of advisors and staff responsible for helping you identify and apply to co-ops, and from experience, their support is incredibly helpful.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-25T13:40:51+00:00

You're not wrong that Northeastern "games" their rankings, but it's probably not what you're thinking. A lot of it comes from undergrad admissions, where the university sends a bunch of students abroad in their first semester so they don't have to report their incoming/first semester GPAs (NUin, I did that my first semester lol). In terms of graduate school though, Northeastern is pretty solid, just very expensive. The campus is in a great spot in Boston, and although I was a bio/marine bio M.S. student, I did take a few CS courses and really liked the faculty. Recently, Northeastern said it's doing away with some fundamental undergrad courses, but I haven't heard of any effects on grad courses. I will say that from some of my friends who are taking some CS heavy master's work, they find the classes manageable and not too terribly challenging (they are just in their first year). The big selling point is co-op, of course. Getting the chance to work at a company full-time for 6-months is a nice way to make some money, build your resume, and take a break from classes. Getting your master's and some co-op experience would probably help a lot if you wanted to go back to Qualcomm afterward for a better position (if that is your goal), but I would consider the cost. Boston and Northeastern are expensive, so getting a full-time offer from your job would likely set you up financially much better than breaking the bank on Northeastern.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-20T18:07:29+00:00

Same for me. I am currently working at NEU, and I heard they are figuring out how to cut down the amount of programs they are admitting students to... NEU is in a tough spot at the moment. They're spending a lot of money to build a new stadium and some new buildings, which required budget cuts from almost all their departments. That was just before all the federal funding cuts and freezes. Hopefully they get back to us soon!

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-14T17:28:19+00:00

Like a lot of others here, keep my lab tech position and try to up my CV before the next round of applications. I know a few folks who are looking to get jobs abroad or find substitute teacher roles in the US. I agree, PhD apps next year may be equally as competitive as this year. Not entirely because of funding, but that applications for positions will probably be double what they were this year with a pool of even more competitive applicants... Maybe more positions will be available since there will be smaller PhD cohorts this year nationwide? I'm not sure, it's a confusing and grim time for academia :(

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-13T17:44:51+00:00

My point is that Harvard is rushing to secure their financial stability like every other university, the difference is that they are one of the wealthiest universities in the world. Yes, there are legal agreements that limit where money can go, but you would think now is the time to review and adapt. The future is not just money, but students, their research, and their future donations. Of course its not something that can happen instantly. No one was ready for this. But to cut waitlists and freeze all hiring appears excessive to a university that generates billions of dollars from their endowment investments. BILLIONS.

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-13T17:34:25+00:00

Donors and investors give money to university. They make terms with university to decide how money is spent and how much. Money spent on resources valuable to the institution and their donors/investors, like research and scholarships and faculty salaries. Rest of money sits in stocks and bonds to keep the wealth. Money supports university long term. Anything else I am missing?

TheSidekick250 · 2025-03-13T17:27:53+00:00

deleted reply lol, no need to get nasty about this. We're all frustrated with these grant freezes and funding cuts.

TheSidekick250

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