Complete an undergraduate degree in a broad field

Develop a close relationship with at least one faculty member

Obtain experience in the field with a research internship

Make contacts in your field

Start researching graduate programs in your junior year

Take the Graduate Record Examinations General or subject test

Secure letters of recommendation from people familiar with your work

Write a statement of purpose

Assemble your application packets and submit them by the deadline

Apply for teaching or research assistantships

Choose a major professor and committee

Submit a plan of study

The names and signatures of your committee members

A brief statement of your academic and research goals

A list of the required courses

A list of the elective courses you ll take

Dissertation hours

Complete the requisite coursework

Complete your written examination

Begin performing research and collecting data

Explore the literature in your research field

Perform your own experiments

Prepare a doctoral dissertation thesis

In the humanities

In the sciences

Prepare for the oral defense of your dissertation

Apply for departmental grants or additional appointments

In the hard sciences

Apply for private research grants

Consider crowd funding options

Balance your budget

Avoid petty competition and departmental rivalry

Balance teaching responsibilities with research and coursework

Be tenacious and display initiative

Stay organized

More ...

Test your English Language

Creepiest Clouds On Earth

Best Selling Books In History

Cartoon Characters

Amazing Embroidery Designs

Rules to play Rowing

Ideal for Cooking

Jasmine

Amazing Treehouses From Around The World

Valentines Day Ideas for Couples

Awesome Gifts For Christmas

Coolest Hotels Ever

Best Marwari Mehndi Designs

Worlds Most Bizarre People

Nelson Mandela

Valentines Day Crafts

Best Ways to Propose a Girl

Best Wedding Dresses in the World

Best Women Trench Coats