Graduate students worry about PhD application requirements without lab experience
13 posts across 5 communities in the last 60 days; 62% from r/gradadmissions.
“I want to pursue a PhD in the US/Europe with the topic being ML for medical imaging/ label efficient ML. However, I do not have any formal research experience apart from a individually authored preprint. I do have 3 years of relevant work experience in developing segmentation…”
“Hello everyone, I am from Vietnam seeking advice from seniors and researchers on how to continue pursuing a scientific career in the biological field, specifically in infectious diseases and molecular biology. Here is a brief overview of my background: Academic Record: BSc in…”
“I have only been working as a microbiologist in industry/food manufacturing for 2 years and I am planning to switch career paths. Do you think it is possible to be hired when I cold email professors or apply for RA positions when I only have my bs degree (without publications)…”
Several posts express concern about meeting the prerequisites for a PhD program, specifically regarding a lack of research experience and publications. Applicants are questioning whether their background in related fields is sufficient to compensate for these gaps.
SOURCES (15)
“Hello everyone, I am from Vietnam seeking advice from seniors and researchers on how to continue pursuing a scientific career in the biological field, specifically in infectious diseases and molecular biology. Here is a brief overview of my background: Academic Record: BSc in Biotechnology with…”
“Hello everyone, I am from Vietnam seeking advice from seniors and researchers on how to continue pursuing a scientific career in the biological field, specifically in infectious diseases and molecular biology. Here is a brief overview of my background: Academic Record: BSc in Biotechnology with a GPA of 2.91/4.0 (7.36/10). Research Experience: 2 years as an Undergraduate Research Assistant focusing on multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Over 1 year of exp”
“I have only been working as a microbiologist in industry/food manufacturing for 2 years and I am planning to switch career paths. Do you think it is possible to be hired when I cold email professors or apply for RA positions when I only have my bs degree (without publications) and my 2 year professional experience? I am planning to take my masters alongside the possibility of working with the prof. submitted by /u/EarOk9536 [link] [comments]”
“I recently graduated from undergrad biology major, and now I am applying to PhD positions (Biology programs) at multiple universities in the US. For each school, I have been contacting potential professors I'd work under to ask about their research, and a couple of them already mentioned to me that research experience is extremely important for applicants. I had no undergraduate wet lab experience, but I did do an honors thesis which was a "qualitative research" project. I also alw”
“Hiya. Fresh graduate here. I have recently completed my Masters here in the UK and am waiting for the final results to come for my dissertation. My major was Biotech with a background in Molecular Bio & Genetics. I am an enthusiast to continue studying actually because it really gives a thrill but i don’t know if Phd is the right way for me. I also thought maybe its time I go into work but every application of mine keeps getting rejected which is really putting me off. I apply for very speci”
“Hi all, I have a masters in molecular biology and biotechnology from uk and after a year of job searching I have decided to start looking for a phd. I need advice on whether i should look for some research experience first or just start applying. Also, how does one decide a topic or field. I would love to chat with someone who has a PhD in molecular biology related topics. submitted by /u/No_Veterinarian1631 [link] [comments]”
“Hi all, I have a masters in molecular biology and biotechnology from uk and after a year of job searching I have decided to start looking for a phd. I need advice on whether i should look for some research experience first or just start applying. Also, how does one decide a topic or field. I would love to chat with someone who has a PhD in molecular biology related topics. submitted by /u/No_Veterinarian1631 [link] [comments]”
“Applying to Sociology MS to PhD programs from a Social Sciences BA. I really have nothing to put on my CV other than my degree and my undergrad thesis. I read on this subreddit that you need at least 2-3 internships or honors to be considered for a masters. My current job (sales) is not at all related to the field. Should I just give up applying? submitted by /u/Easy_Cartographer679 [link] [comments]”
“I want to pursue a PhD in the US/Europe with the topic being ML for medical imaging/ label efficient ML. However, I do not have any formal research experience apart from a individually authored preprint. I do have 3 years of relevant work experience in developing segmentation and classification models for a healthcare company and a couple of relevant open source contributions. Is it impossible to get a PhD positon in my scenario? I am certain that I want to have a career in research and do not w”
“I want to pursue a PhD in the US/Europe with the topic being ML for medical imaging/ data efficient ML. However, I do not have any formal research experience apart from a individually authored preprint. I do have 3 years of relevant work experience in developing segmentation and classification models for a healthcare company and a couple of relevant open source contributions. Is it impossible to get a PhD positon in my scenario? I am certain that I want to have a career in research and do not wa”
“hi all. would appreciate some advice. i am a current senior, and i am looking to apply to a program in which i have no direct lab experience, but i do have other lab experiences that would lend itself to that lab (1.5yrs in one lab and about a semester and some in another). i also have a decent gpa, and i know i would get great letters of rec from my PIs as well as write a solid statement of purpose. would love advice on what to do... submitted by /u/Upstairs-Turn326 [link] [co”
“Hello everyone! I am a recent college graduate from a smaller school who wants to pursue a PhD in Molecular Biology. I have a B.S. in Biology and did a significant amount of relatively advanced undergraduate research for 3/4 years of my degree. I was not accepted into any of the PhD programs I applied too directly out of undergraduate for the Fall 2026 cycle. I am currently trying to bolster my resume/experience before I reapply next cycle. I am currently doing a paid internship as a research an”
“Hi all, I (22m) am applying this year to Berkeley's PhD program to study mycology. I was able to reach a professor there, and they were interested in my work and also said they had an open position in their lab. I am post-bacc, with a GPA of 3.78 unweighted, multiple research experiences, and continuing education through my job where I am further developing my wet-lab and microbiology skills. I want to know how to make my SoP and PS stand out, what does the committee look for? Would apprecia”
“(Apologies if this isn’t the right sub!) I graduated with my BS in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology last December, and as I’m planning on applying to a PhD program in neuroscience, I want a little more lab experience to boost my applications. I’ve been cold-emailing professors at the university in my hometown (not where I attended) to get a paid or unpaid lab volunteer position. One lab just emailed me back, at one point saying “I would be happy to meet with you in person to talk m”
“I know this sounds like a bizarre question, but it literally summarizes my current situation. I have a bachelor’s degrees in microbiology and I’ve had classes in molecular biology and virology. Right now, I’m a master’s student in animal biosystematics. The advisors here only work on invertebrates such as insects and crabs and questions about functional ecology, biodiversity and behavior. They have absolutely no knowledge or interest in virology. But I want to become a researcher in virology and”