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Finding a lab

• Start researching labs you find interesting during the summer before applications are due

Stay Organized!

• Create an excel sheet with schools, labs, application requirements, and due dates

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Advice on initial emails

• Contact principal investigators (PI's) you're interested in working with 2-3 months before applications are due

• ​Send each PI a personalized email detailing your research background, how it connects to their research, and what you would like to do if you joined their lab

• Attach your CV to the email​​​​

• Ask to zoom and discuss their research more

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Don't get discouraged!

• You will soon find out that many of the labs you were excited about are not accepting students. Don't get discouraged! For example, I reached out to around 30-40 PI's and only ended up applying to 6 programs (keep in mind that everyone's experience is different) 

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Personal and Research Statements ​

• Have peers/ professors read over your drafts

• Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP)

• IBP Advice on writing personal statements 

• Personal Statement Examples

  • Conservation Biology 

  • ​Environmental Biology​​

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