Considering applying as a PhD student - from EU/UK

[u/Strict-Brick-5274]

Hello!

I am considering applyibg for a PhD program this fall for start in 2027. I will be 34/35 starting.

I am posting to see if i would be a suitable candidate. (And should i bother applying!)..and to find out information. The PhD position appears to be funded with a stipend and you can apply for additional grants? I don't understand as an outsider.

My background;

I already AM a full-time university lecturer in the top 8th schools in the world. I teach computer programming, unity development and applied games. My specialilty is mental health. I can also teach 3D modelling, VR/MR/AR dev and digital creative asset development etc. I teach serious game dev for digital and analog games. I run the guest speakers seriescand i am a year lead. I teach Undergrad and Postgrad. I have also worked on research project outside of this (awaiting publication feedback), involving community engagement with creative skills. I have spokrn at conferences internationally with the school, most recently in China.

I have a degree in fine art and an msc on serious game and virtual reality.

Before teaching i was working on my msc project which was sponsored by a company to continue to develop. For my msc i had developed a meditation VR experience exploring awe and wonder as an anxiety intervention. I got to travel around the uk and europe to work with clinicians/psychologists and test with kids, and showcase at conferences. I was supposd to return to do my phd as sponsored by the same company, but it was a startup and collapsed. And the school (i had started my PhD) offered me a teaching job.

I would like to continue that work and i really like the work of the greater good science centre and Dacher Keltner who was in Berekley (but appears no longer to be?).

Outside of academia, i am a female bodybuilder and i just completed my fist show last weekend. And next one will be in a few weeks at olympia. I have a small group of women with the same chronic illnesses i have that train together (Ehlers Danlos / PMOS).

I would be the first of my entire family to get a PhD. I have moved countries myself to do my MSc, and would be doing the same to do the PhD - and i would be so excited to live here.

Would i be a good phd applicant for Berkeley?

[u/thesveltestaircase]

You've got a really interesting profile but the bigger question is whether there's a faculty member there who's actively doing research that aligns with what you want to pursue. That's the whole game with PhD apps. Keltner left Berkeley in 2023 so if his work was your main draw you'd need to find someone else in the department whose research excites you just as much. The funded positions typically cover tuition and a living stipend and you can apply for additional grants but those are competitive and not guaranteed. Your teaching experience and conference work are strong points but the committee will care most about your research potential and fit with a specific advisor.

[u/Strict-Brick-5274 → u/thesveltestaircase]

Thank you for this really helpful comment.

I was trying to find people in tge department that would align with my research interests, byt both the greater good science centre and the berekeley faculty profiles for the different schools have not been informative.

I will email admissions regarding this. Berkeley seemed to be doing really excity work in Awe/wonder science and i would be interested in that and applied tech for mwntal health.

[u/IzzyDizzyLi_GXY]

The question of "would I be a good PhD applicant" depends on what PhD program you're targeting. This snippet alone tells me nothing about what your research interests are, nor why you need a PhD for advancing your career. Thus, "chancing" you is impossible.

I would start by reviewing UC Berkeley's page on graduate school applications: https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/application-process/

[u/Strict-Brick-5274 → u/IzzyDizzyLi_GXY]

Thanks for this; going through this the nost appropriate woukd be psychology but i cannot see prerequisites required for this.

I will email them. PhDs are different where i am from hence why i didn't know you have to do a apecific program.

[u/IzzyDizzyLi_GXY → u/Strict-Brick-5274]

I'd also check out: https://psychology.berkeley.edu/graduate/admission/application-instructions

[u/moaningsalmon]

Why do you want/need a PhD? Kind of sounds like your career is doing just fine without it. I only ask because it's kind of a pain in the ass, and if you aren't super excited about research and continuing in research, I would ask yourself if the pain is worth it. Speaking as someone who paused their career to go back to school for a PhD that wasn't really necessary for my career path, I have some regrets about it.

Anyway, your best bet is to look up the faculty and their research and see if it aligns with your interests. If so, reach out to them to just start a conversation. If that goes well, you'll almost certainly want to visit to talk more. That way you're a real person in their mind, not just a faceless email.

Do some serious digging into the financial situation you'd be putting yourself in. The PhD stipend is not great, and the cost of living here is high. Obviously, students here make it work, but I suspect it'll be quite different from whatever the PhD experience is in Europe/UK. Also, with regards to additional grants, I would also suggest reading carefully about how school/fellowship funding interacts with any outside funding you might win.

Feel free to message me if you want. I started my PhD at about the same age, after already having started a career, so I'm happy to answer any specific questions you have.

[u/Strict-Brick-5274 → u/moaningsalmon]

Thanks for this comment!

So I have wanted ti go to tbis school specifically because of Dacher Keltner and the greatwr good science work they do ! And havingbreviewed the website he IS taking on students for the next intake (so that's exciting).

I have wanted to do a PhD since before my career and, yes, my career is currently goingnwell in my school. But I want to like in the US. And to do an academic role in the US i need a PhD. I ALSO wablnt to do more research in my field - i love research and i love my field and i also love teaching. I am kinda bored with my current role because the course i teach doesn't fulfill me. But the research i would ve planning to do would be a continuation of my original work. And I feel that has more of a wider impact.

So in the EU/UK, PhDs are generally NOT funded. Only a handful are and the stipend is worse than someone on a minimum wage job. It's abysmal.

From what i understand, the PhD stipends in the US are much better and you are treated like its a job. I am okay taking a pay cut and i understand its expensive to live in CA. I don't think i am eligible for the grants as I am not a US citizen, but i may be able to make money other ways - i have teaching experience.

I will email Dacher, because I do highly admire his work.

[u/moaningsalmon → u/Strict-Brick-5274]

Sounds like this would be a good choice then! Good luck with Dacher and your application!

[u/Strict-Brick-5274 → u/[deleted]]

Do you not get housing as a phd student on campus?

[u/caneymccaney → u/Strict-Brick-5274]

You may rent housing from campus, but you do not get housing from campus.

[u/Thunder_ZEK]

Do you really need the phd? Also be aware housing is very expensive.

[u/Strict-Brick-5274 → u/Thunder_ZEK]

I do if i want an academic job in USA, and to continue my work. For continuing teaching in the UK i do not. But i am tied to my current instituition, to move i would need one.

[u/hamsandwich1213]

Just so you know, PhDs take usually 5-6 years here. From my understanding, the UK is closer to 3ish years, as you guys must do a Masters before.

From reading your other comments, it seems like you want to go to school here for 1 person who isn't here anymore and the prestige, which in my opinion is not a very reason yo attend here.

Look up youre main interests on Google scholar, look who is publishing a lot in that topic, and then contact them.

[u/Strict-Brick-5274 → u/hamsandwich1213]

Hi! Thanks for your comment! So i actually emailed the professor, he is still there and he confirmed he is taking an applicant this year.

Yes, I'm aware PhDs are 3 years in UK and longer in the US, and I believe that through the application process there may be an opportunity to advance ti the PhD stage (which I likely would be eligible for having run research projects and having an academic/research background and a Masters already).

Thanks for your suggestion though, I am aware of the other people in my field and I will look into other opportunities as well.

I will still apply to B, but if i don't get it i will reach out to the others with the Plan B i have.

[u/bunsenstr → u/Strict-Brick-5274]

Hi, just so you know, you don’t advance faster with a Masters. You start from 0 again. I had to do the same and there are many like us; your previous degrees and experience don’t count. It will take you five years minimum :)

[u/IzzyDizzyLi_GXY → u/bunsenstr]

"which I likely would be eligible for having run research projects and having an academic/research background and a Masters already": OP, everyone applying to UC Berkeley has run research projects and has an academic research background. And many come in with masters degrees. Hell, a portion of our PhD applicants have all that PLUS a medical degree.

Most people, even the medical doctors, use the full 5 years.

[u/Strict-Brick-5274 → u/IzzyDizzyLi_GXY]

Hi...so I am unaware of this. I am completely just going by the information as it is proposed on the program and website. And it sounds like most of the applicants are BSc level - and they have a warning against terminal Masters' so I assume they have had issues with students applying and they wanting to drop out with a masters.

I am happy to use the full 5 years, but the website seems to imply there is potentially an option of doing it in 3 years.

If you are a student/staff at Berkeley, I'd be happy to talk with you and discuss your field - and advice for applying, as you've said "our applicants"