personal statement for phd immunology

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Immunology Research, Personal Statement Example

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One of the greatest American electrical engineers, Arthur E. Kennelly once said that “if necessity is the mother of invention, scientifically developed production is the mother of scientific research.” This quote applies to my life today in many ways, most notably in my desire and drive to become an immunology researcher. The reason I have the desire to take part in the research is that my brother was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Two years ago, my brother was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which had been left undetected for a while. The illness had profound effects on my brother’s lifestyle, which highlighted for me the necessity of developing better and more effective strategies for early diagnosis of diseases. I intend to meet this necessity by employing scientific research offered within the framework of the advanced summer program for investigation and research.

My experience and interests in epidemiology research are currently linked to the global COVID-19 pandemic that continues to have significant effects on the health outcomes of patients with different health conditions. I am currently using agent-based models to track the spread of COVID-19 in a small classroom setting by focusing on the microbiology and impact of sanitation frequency on the spread of the virus. I believe that immunology is the next step. I believe that determining and understanding the relationship between Lyme disease to the immune processes is vital as I have become interested in it after seeing the profound impact it had on my brother. This research and the resultant model can be expanded to larger settings in the future and may offer a fundamental and foundational approach in studying different aspects of epidemiology for different conditions and patient populations. As such, my research interests are firmly rooted in the development of a better understanding of immunology. My next step is to advance my understanding of immunology and contributing to community health by conducting research.

Recognizing the gap in skills required to be an immunology researcher, I have set three key development goals. First, I intend to advance my understanding of scientific research, which is integral to immunology research. Given scientific research is the ideal approach to developing evidenced-based methods and interventions, I must develop a deeper understanding of its concepts. Second, I need to develop an individual philosophy of science that will not only guide my future work in immunology research but also define the assumptions and foundations employed in my approach to the field. an individual philosophy of science is vital to help me understand the nature of concepts in immunology and its relation to other fields in health. Finally, I need to develop significant experience in laboratory settings, which is vital to the research process in immunology. I believe that the program offered by the university provides the best avenue to realize my development goals.

I strongly believe that the 8-week intensive program offered by the university offers me the ideal opportunity and avenue to achieve my goal and desire to become an immunology researcher. The opportunity to work together with experienced researchers in different clinical settings offers the opportunity for me to gain insight into the research operations in immunology research by defining the structure of research as well as the collaborative processes that are integral to effective and successful research in immunology. The program is designed to not only introduce the concepts of scientific research but also help develop a personal philosophy of science, develop experience in laboratory settings, and provide a deeper understanding of medical research. Furthermore, the program offers an opportunity for me to establish a network with other professionals in different fields of clinical research, which is integral for the development of a successful and effective career in clinical research.

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Writing an Effective Personal Statement for PhD Graduate Programs

Personal statements should be a reflection of your academic skills, success, and goals.

By Kaela Singleton Doctoral Candidate in Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience

A personal statement is one of the most important components of any doctoral graduate school application. This post will guide you with some general steps to get you started with generating a personal statement that is concise, reflects your academic success, and emphasizes your goals for graduate school. The individual graduate programs will provide writing prompts that detail exactly what you should address in your statement, so be sure you touch on everything that they want you to cover!

Before you start writing

• Update your CV:  Having a complete list of your accomplishments will make it easier to include and exclude information from your personal statement. Your CV can be used as a timeline of your achievements, and therefore an outline to how your past experiences have prepared you for graduate school. For guidance on CV writing, see  7 Tips for Writing a Successful CV.
• Research Graduate Schools of Interest:  Gain insight into the coursework, faculty, and student life for each program you are considering. Using the program website, generate a list of qualities that appeal to you about each school you’re applying to. Emphasize how and why these qualities contribute to your decision to apply to this program. This list should include research and faculty members that interest you as well as any other pros (i.e. location, cohort size, post-graduate jobs etc.)
• Create a team of editors:  Your personal statement will be read by faculty members and graduate students studying different topics within the program. Therefore, your personal statement should be compelling to a broad audience. Ask peers, mentors and advisors from various disciplines well in advance to edit and provide feedback on your statement.

Now start writing

Introduction.

The goal is to engage your reader with a quick synopsis of who you are, what you want out of graduate school, and your qualifications to join this specific program.

• Introduce yourself and identify your academic interests:  Provide a brief introduction of yourself and your academic interests. If you have a personal anecdote that explains how you became interested in science and research, start there. These “narrative hook” anecdotes engage the reader and set up a great platform to describe the motivation behind your experiences. Then go into your academic interests, which can be a couple of sentences broadly stating your research interests.  
• Emphasize your skills and overall goals:  Use both your research on the program and CV to highlight how your skill set will complement and grow from participation in this program. Speak in broad terms, showcasing how your goals align with the overall mission of the program.

THE BODY PARAGRAPHS

The goal is to expand on the points you mentioned within the introduction. Provide concrete examples of how past and present experiences led you to writing this application.

• Explain how you became interested in your particular scientific field:  Highlight key moments that encouraged you to apply to graduate school. This can be the very start of your interests in the field or from skills and knowledge that you gained from internships, research experiences, or coursework and class discussions.
• Describe your prior research experiences and importantly what you learned from each experience:  Provide a past experience where you used and developed a new skill that is pertinent to your ability to conduct research. Be sure to explain how this skill will be useful for your future in graduate school. It is critical to discuss what you learned from experience and to be as specific and concise as possible.  For example: I worked with Dr. A at institution B. My work focused on C. The project entailed D, E and F techniques. From this experience, I learned G. This taught me F about my decision to attend graduate school. 

In the conclusion paragraph, you should discuss what you learned about the graduate school program that you are applying for. Highlight specific faculty members or courses listed that excite you, and re-emphasize your goals.

• Summarize your qualifications and experiences:  Bring everything together here. Emphasize the skills you currently have and how joining this program will aide in continuing your success. 
• Personalize:  In this final paragraph, include specific faculty and program qualities that appeal to you as an applicant. Show that you have researched specific faculty or courses that will aide in your future training. Also be sure to discuss your career goals. 
• Edit:  Proofread and edit. Send your statement out to friends, faculty advisors, and people outside of your discipline. 

Personal statements should tell your story and be compelling across fields. Remember that a PhD program trains you to build and utilize scientific skills to advance research. You won’t want to try to convince the reader that you’ll cure cancer or discover the flu vaccine. Instead, focus on persuading readers that graduate training is right for you, and that the accompanying enrichment of your research skillset will help you reach your academic and professional goals.

More Career Advice

Learn from faculty, staff, postdocs, students and alumni through our Career Catalyst blog.

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Enriching the Learning Community

The Stanford Immunology program   recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

The Stanford Immunology program   welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review process is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, prior research experience, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field and how they might enrich the learning community at Stanford.

The Immunology Home Program is one of fourteen Biosciences PhD programs at the School of Medicine. We welcome applications from students with a variety of scientific backgrounds and believe that diversity of previous experience enriches our multidisciplinary environment. Learn more about our program here .

The PhD Program in Immunology, founded in 1988, is one of fourteen Stanford Biosciences programs. The goal of the PhD Program in Immunology is to provide outstanding training and education for obtaining the PhD degree in Immunology and to develop young investigators who will carry out innovative research in the field. Our 60+ students benefit greatly from the long tradition of collaboration among the immunology laboratories, with an emphasis on the application of cutting edge approaches to problems in cellular, molecular, computational, and clinical immunology. Immunology faculty members are leaders in their respective areas of research, and often incorporate bench to bedside approaches. Our PhD core coursework requirements plus strong electives in related disciplines provide an integrated curriculum that spans basic and clinical immunology. Students can choose from either the Molecular, Cellular, and Translational Immunology (MCTI) track or the Computational and Systems Immunology (CSI – founded in 2011) track. Graduate students in immunology actively participate in seminars, journal clubs, and the annual Stanford Immunology Scientific Conference at Asilomar. Students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities in the immunology laboratories, located in various departments in the School of Medicine, the Department of Biological Sciences, and the Palo Alto Veteran's Administration Medical Center.

MCTI and CSI tracks

Click on the + icon for descriptions of the MCTI and CSI tracks

The MCTI track comprises interdisciplinary research that emphasizes the application of molecular approaches to open questions in cellular and clinical immunology. Graduate students in this track gain an advanced understanding of basic molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and cellular signaling concepts and experimental techniques and apply this knowledge to immunology problems. MCTI faculty interests include both bench-to-bedside approaches and basic science research.

Click here for curriculum and course descriptions

The past decade has seen an explosion in the availability of high-throughput datasets spanning information on everything from DNA sequences to RNA transcript abundances, single-cell protein profiles, protein variants and metabolite profiles. These multi-dimensional omics datasets are complex to integrate, visualize and analyze for those not well versed in systems biology and bioinformatics. A new generation of scientists is needed to take advantage of these resources to ask and answer novel important questions in immunology. The CSI program will generate a class of hybrid scientists to identify important problems in immunology and to devise appropriate integrated computational/experimental plans for tackling them.

Students in the CSI track will be able to:

1. develop new computational tools that use multiple large-scale publicly available omics datasets to enhance the knowledge of immunology and immunobiology;

2. integrate of new computational omics analysis techniques into existing, well-established genomic data analysis pipelines/frameworks to better understand immunology and enable researchers/clinicians to rapidly leverage omics advancements;

3. develop new and innovative multi-omic simulation and / or visualization methods that make systems immunology accessible to research scientists with no programming experience, thus bridging the gap between computational data mining and human knowledge to extend insight.

Before You Apply

Thank you for your interest in the 14 Stanford Biosciences PhD Programs, including Stanford Immunology. The Application Deadline for Autumn 2025-26 is Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 11:59:59 PM (PST). The Interview Session will take place on Wednesday, March 5 through Saturday, March 8, 2025.

For information about the 14 Biosciences PhD Programs and How to Apply, please visit  https://biosciences.stanford.edu/how-to-apply/  and

https://biosciences.stanford.edu/how-to-apply/application-faq/ . Please be sure to read through both of these pages carefully as a vast majority of the commonly asked application questions will be answered there.

For information about our admissions process, our faculty, and Stanford University, please visits the following websites:

Stanford Immunology Preview and Q&A: Oct 4, 2024

We invite you to attend a virtual preview of the Stanford Immunology program . Learn about scientific discoveries by faculty and trainees, meet current Ph.D. students, review the application and admissions process, and sign up to receive one-on-one feedback on your personal statement.

Friday, October 4, 2024 at 1:00-4:00 PM PST

Register here

“You Belong at Stanford” Virtual Seminar and Q&A: Oct 2 & Oct 9, 2024

You Belong at Stanford  is virtual recruitment series sponsored by Stanford University’s Biosciences Office of Graduate Education ( OGE ) in the Stanford School of Medicine. OGE offers programs and services to support graduate students and sustain the level of excellence achieved by the Stanford Biosciences, including in the admissions process.

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 or October 9th, 2024 at 3:00-5:00 PM PST

How to Apply

To apply or for more information on the admissions process and requirements, please visit the  Stanford Biosciences "How to Apply"   PhD admissions page.  Please indicate in your personal statement in your application which Immunology track you wish to pursue, the Molecular, Cellular, and Translational Immunology or  Computational and Systems Immunology track. 

Applying and Deadline

Thank you for your interest in the 14 Stanford Biosciences PhD Programs, including Stanford Immunology. The online application for Autumn 2025-26 will open in mid-September 2024.

The Application Deadline for Autumn 2025-26 is Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 11:59:59 PM (PST). The Interview Session will take place on Wednesday, March 5 through Saturday, March 8, 2025.

In addition to the information below, please review the  Graduate Admissions  website and their  FAQ  page prior to starting your application. When you are ready to start your application,  click here  to Apply Now.

The  14 Stanford Biosciences PhD programs  only accept applications once per year for the Autumn quarter entry only. The application deadline for Autumn 2025-26 is Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:59:59 pm (PST). Late applications will not be accepted.  Note:  Knight-Hennessy Scholars  applicants are required to submit their Stanford Biosciences PhD application by Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 11:59:59 pm (PST).

The admissions committees of the 14 PhD programs will promptly begin to review applicant files the day following the application deadline.  It is important that all of your application materials, including letters of recommendation, are submitted by the deadline. We cannot guarantee the review of any materials received after the deadline.

To check your application status,  click here  to Visit Your Status Page. There you will find the most current status of your application materials.

Any questions or concerns about the application process should be addressed to:  [email protected]

Letters of Recommendation

At Stanford Immunology, we are keenly interested in what your previous mentors and advisors have to say regarding your application to our PhD program. Furthermore, we acknowledge that not all applicants receive appropriate guidance around requesting strong reference letters from their letter writers. Thus, we recommend applicants go over the following resources to ensure they put forward the best possible application package:

Resources as a letter seeker:   Ten simple rules for navigating the reference letter seeking process

Resources as a letter writer:   Ten simple rules for writing compelling recommendation letters

Stanford Immunology Review Program for Applicants (SIRPA)

The Stanford Immunology Review Program for Applicants (SIRPA) is a CDIII committee-supported student-organized initiative that strives to assist individuals applying to the Immunology PhD program.  Participants will receive one round of feedback on their statements of purpose . Participation in this program does not guarantee admission, and applicants that don’t participate in this program will not be penalized in any way. Participation in this program will be kept confidential from Immunology Faculty and other members of the Immunology PhD Admissions Committee. 

Submissions for the Application Guide and SIRPA program have now closed. Please check back in September 2024 for additional information.

Official Transcript Requirement

Graduate Admissions only requires admitted applicants who accept the offer of admission to submit official transcripts that shows their degree conferral. More details on this can be found on the following Graduate Admissions  webpage . Please do not send or have sent any official transcripts to our office.

GRE Test Requirements

GRE General Test scores are not considered.

GRE Subject Test scores are not considered.

TOEFL Test Special Accommodations

Please see the Graduate Admissions " Required Exams " web page for information regarding COVID-19 and special TOEFL Test accommodations.

Stanford Biosciences PhD Admissions Contact Information

Website:  https://biosciences.stanford.edu/

Email:  [email protected]

The Stanford Biosciences Home Programs comprise nine departments and five interdisciplinary programs, which span the School of Medicine and the School of Humanities and Sciences. 

Admissions Highlights

Stanford immunology admissions.

The Immunology Program welcomes applicants with a variety of scientific backgrounds and a diversity of experience. View photos below.

2020 photos

2021 photos

2022 photos

Immunology Admissions

The immunology program welcomed applicants with a variety of scientific backgrounds and a diversity of experience. .

• Admissions 2022
• Admissions 2021
• Admissions 2020

The online application for admission to the University of Washington Immunology PhD program is submitted using the UW Graduate School application .  Check the broad basic steps on this page before you begin.  Also, be sure to review the basic information about the Immunology PhD program  and the  Graduate School  on the UW Graduate School application sites.  The Department of Immunology has created a list of  frequently asked questions (FAQ)  to aid you with the application process.

Still have questions that weren’t answered in the FAQ or on the websites listed above?  Please send your specific questions to the Graduate Program Advisor at this email address: [email protected]

Step 1 – Open the online UW  Graduate School’s application

Step 2 – create an account, i.e. a new  applicant profile, step 3 – complete the personal profile, step 4 – submit the following online:.

• Personal Statement of Purpose
• Unofficial transcript(s)
• Names of three references who will write letters of recommendation
• Resume or CV
• List of publications and awards
• List of five or six UW Immunology faculty members whose research is of interest to you

Step 5 – Pay filing fee

Application fee waivers, i.  who qualifies.

Eligibility is determined based on financial need or by participation in the McNair Scholars or PPIA Fellows program.

Unfortunately, applicants studying on F or J visas are not eligible for application fee waivers.

a.  Financial Need Fee Waivers

• Washington State Need Grant Program  eligibility criteria is used to determine financial need. Waivers are based on the 100% Median Family Income (MFI).
• Reported income should be based on the most recent tax year.
• Washington state residency is not required to qualify.
• Supporting documentation is not required at the time of application however, in the case of an audit, income documents may be requested.

b.  Current McNair Scholars and PPIA Fellows:

• When completing the waiver request, please indicate which grant program you qualify under.
• Documentation should be sent to  [email protected]
• Verification Form  signed by the program director.
• A signed letter from the program director certifying current participation in the grant program.  Dates of participation must be included in the letter.

II.  How to Apply for a Fee Waiver

Fee waiver request should be submitted at least seven (7) days before the posted application deadline.

•  Complete all required portions of the online application in the MyGrad Program.  Requesting a fee waiver is the last step before submitting your complete application.
•  Proceed to the “Verify, Pay, and Submit” step in the application.
•  Click the “Verify” button after confirming your personal information has been entered correctly.
•  Select “I am eligible for a fee waiver” from the payment method drop-down menu.
•  If you qualify under the McNair/PPIA fellows program, indicate your participation in the program.
•  If you qualify for a need-based waiver, indicate your income and family size.
•  Your request will be reviewed by Graduate School staff within 48 hours.  You will receive notification via email.
•  After you receive notification of approval, return to your application and complete the verification process.  If you do not complete this final step, your application will remain unsubmitted and will not be reviewed.

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TO ENHANCE DIVERSITY

The Immunology Department, together with the School of Medicine and the University of Washington, is strongly committed to enhancing student diversity .

KEY DEADLINES & DETAILS

Online application and online supporting documentation only – please do not mail hard copies of your unofficial transcript, etc.

For International applicants only:

• International Applicant Information
• English Proficiency Tests
• Financial Ability Requirement
• F-1 Employment Options

APPLYING TO MULTIPLE PROGRAMS

The various biomedical graduate programs offered reflect the cross-disciplinary nature of training at the University of Washington.  Applicants are encouraged to apply to more than one program if the University of Washington is a high priority for your graduate studies.  Each program application is separate, and carries with it the standard graduate application fee.  UW Biomedical Science Graduate Programs are listed  here on the UW Medicine website.

APPLICATION COMPLETION

• Three separate letters of recommendation have been uploaded by your letter writers to the online application by December 1

International Applicants : The deadline for international applications is  December 1 .  All application material must be submitted by this date, including:

• ETS officially reporting your TOEFL scores to Institution Code 4854 by December 1 (International applicants only)

• Congratulations, Dr. Sigal Kofman! 08/15/2024
• Congratulations, Dr. Rachel Van Gelder! 08/08/2024
• Tyler Billipp published in Immunity – Image on Cover! 06/14/2024
• Congratulations, Dr. Ragan Pitner! 06/10/2024
• Check out a recent New York Times article featuring Dr. Marion Pepper! 03/26/2024

Be boundless

Connect with us:.

© 2024 University of Washington | Seattle, WA

Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis

Immunology and microbial pathogenesis are exciting fields of research. Once a stand-alone discipline, immunology has evolved into a multi-focus science that today involves many facets of biology and medicine. The rich nomenclature in current use in immunology, which employs such terms as "Tumor," "Molecular," "Cellular," "Developmental," and "host-pathogen” and “host-commensal microbiota” relationships, reflects this diversity. Conversely, the qualifier in "immuno-therapy" or "immuno-modulation" signifies integration into medical practice, coming full circle to the origin of immunology as the science of vaccination.

Doctoral Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis at the Weill Cornell Graduate School offers rich training for the next generation of immunologists. Various IMP faculty members are as much at home in cell biology, biochemistry, development, genetics, structural biology, bioinformatics, and systems biology as they are in their own chosen specialties in immunology or microbial pathogenesis.

IMP faculty are members of the Graduate School's partner institutions, which include Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) and Sloan-Kettering Institute (SKI, part of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center). Some IMP faculty are affiliated with the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), a leading rheumatology and orthopedics institute adjacent to and closely affiliated with WCMC.

With its broad base, IMP offers an unusually rich training ground for the next generation of immunologists. Major areas of focus are microbial immunity, tumor immunology, molecular and cellular immunology, lymphocyte and leukocyte biology, autoimmunity, and inflammation. The clinical relevance of these endeavors, together with the clinical partnerships, in which our three research institutions participate, create strong motivation and opportunity for translational research.

Because of its complexity, modern immunology poses the challenge of presenting a sufficiently comprehensive curriculum for its students. IMP meets this challenge by drawing its faculty from the basic science and clinical departments of its participating institutions. This collective expertise enables IMP to provide its students with high-quality, broad-based education necessary for their development as independent scientists.

IMP's philosophy of granting students maximum academic freedom encourages them to gain needed additional experience outside the framework of traditional immunology. Career goals may lead a student to work with and choose as a mentor, a Graduate School faculty member from any of the participating institutions (WMC, SKI, and HSS) and from any of the seven graduate programs.

The program's curriculum likewise reflects a commitment to academic independence. While the first year of study is spent with didactic courses in immunology and cell biology, all classes are followed by student-run discussion groups. Laboratory rotations complement formal classroom learning. Students may take graduate courses offered by any other WCGS program, as well as a course in Microbial Pathogenesis offered jointly with another neighbor, The Rockefeller University.

IMP students continue a balanced academic curriculum throughout their thesis research. Mini-courses in advanced immunology with rotating topics ensure that students keep abreast of new developments. A rich palette of seminars by invited speakers offers similar opportunities. Students also organize research-in-progress discussions of their own thesis projects. As a graduate program of intermediate size, IMP has a favorable student/mentor ratio of close to 1:1. The accessibility and openness of faculty make for exceptional community spirit, fostering scientific independence and simultaneously preparing young scientists for the necessary collaborative endeavors ahead. 

Program Requirements

Applicants should have a strong undergraduate background and record of achievement in the biological sciences, including biochemistry, molecular genetics, and microbiology. Applicants are also expected to have undergraduate laboratory research experience.

An official transcript of the student's undergraduate record is necessary, with three letters from faculty members who can evaluate the academic potential of the student in a Ph.D. program in immunology and microbial pathogenesis.

The application requires a personal statement describing the student's background and specific interest in the Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis program. Applicants are not required to take the General Graduate Record Examination. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL examination.

Apply Online provides a full description of the application procedures.

Message from the IMP community

Weill Cornell Medicine is a community that strongly values and appreciates diversity among its students, trainees, faculty, and staff.  Since the founding of our institution, we have been committed to supporting individuals of varied and wide-ranging backgrounds to succeed in medicine and science.  Diversity continues to be a major priority at Weill Cornell Medicine because we recognize that patient care, biomedical discovery, and learning are enriched by the contributions of people with different perspectives, skills, and life experiences. The Immunology Microbial and Pathogenesis program has a diverse student body which includes, over 66 students that come from various international and national backgrounds. Our faculty of outstanding scientists consist of multiple ethnicities, immigrants, and 1st   generation members that are committed to training our students. Our students and faculty work on a number of platforms which include: The Diversity Program in Leadership Alliance, NIH Graduate Recruitment Fairs, IMSD Early Start Program, and the Social Justice and Anti-Racism Task Force. Our goal is to further strengthen our culture of diversity and inclusion through the use of dialogue and collaboration.

Becoming A Doctoral Candidate

An individual program of study is developed for each student on the basis of the student's interest and prior experience, comprising both required and elective courses.

The IMP program places great emphasis on scholarship. Beginning in the first year with course work in fundamental immunology and complemented by electives in anything from cell biology to structural biology, the program offers continued education throughout the graduate studies in the form of an Advanced Immunology course with flexible topics, an Immunology Seminar Series highlighting the latest developments in the field presented by distinguished scientists, and a student-run “Research in Progress” forum for a critical discussion of their thesis research and the exchange of ideas.

Each IMP student, with the help of the mentor, must participate regularly in journal clubs throughout the graduate training. He/she may choose elective courses among all courses offered by the other programs of the Graduate School.

A description of each course is provided at  Courses .

The IMP annual retreat is an integral part of the program. This off-site meeting includes formal presentations by faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. In addition, it requires graduate students (in year two and above) and postdoctoral fellows to contribute to poster sessions and workshops. Prizes are awarded for outstanding publications.

A major focus of IMP is laboratory research. Each student undertakes three rotation projects with different faculty members. The three rotations are carried out during the first year and the summer following the first year of study. During the second year, the student is expected to choose a major sponsor and to develop a research topic for the doctoral thesis.

The Admission to Doctoral Candidacy Examination (ACE) is ordinarily taken in the spring of the second year and requires both written and oral examination of the candidate's general understanding of immunology and related subjects. When a student passes the ACE, he/she is a candidate for the PhD degree.

Ph.D. Research and Degree

A Special Committee, comprising the major sponsor and two additional faculty members knowledgeable in the field of study (minor sponsors) advises the student in his or her research, meeting periodically to monitor progress, and to oversee the development of the thesis.

During this time the student continues to participate in the other educational programs offered by the graduate program but works full time in the laboratory.

The culmination of the student’s successful progression through the program is the final examination (the “defense”) and certification by the Special Committee that the thesis represents an official piece of research satisfying the requirements of the Graduate School for the Ph.D. degree.

Student Stories

My favorite part of Weill Cornell is the sense of community within the graduate school and the research institutions –– students and faculty are genuinely interested in supporting one another.

Research Topics

• Autoimmunity
• Innate Immunity
• Lymphocyte Biology
• Microbial Pathogenesis
• Tumor Immunology
• Anandasabapathy, Niroshana
• Artis, David
• Barrat, Franck
• Blander, Julie Magarian
• Brown, Chrysothemis
• Cesarman, Ethel
• Chaudhuri, Jayanta
• Chen-Kiang, Selina
• Collins, Nicholas
• Cubillos-Ruiz, Juan
• Diehl, Gretchen
• Donlin, Laura
• Ehrt, Sabine
• Fearon, Douglas
• Geissmann, Frederic
• Gitlin, Alexander
• Glickman, Michael
• Guo, Chun-Jun
• Hanash, Alan
• Hohl, Tobias
• Hsu, Katharine
• Huse, Morgan
• Iliev, Iliyan
• Ivashkiv, Lionel
• Jones, R. Brad
• Longman, Randy
• Lu, Theresa
• Ma, Xiaojing
• Melnick, Ari
• Nathan, Carl
• O'Reilly, Richard
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How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application

Personal statement guidelines, general guidelines to keep in mind:.

• One size does not fit all : Tailor your personal statement to each program and department you are applying to. Do your research to learn what is unique about each of your choices and highlight how this particular program stands out.
• Yes, it’s personal : Showcase your unique strengths and accomplishments. Explain what influenced your personal decisions to pursue the program. Ask yourself, could this be applied to your friend or neighbor? If so, you need to be more specific and provide examples. Saying that you are a “good scientist” isn’t enough. Provide examples of your previous research experience, projects you’ve completed, and what technical skills you learned. Explain how you overcame any challenges along the way.
• Set aside enough time :  Although personal statements are generally short in length (approx. 700 words; 1-2 pages), give yourself ample time to write a strong, well-written statement. It takes more time than you think to develop a final draft for submission.
• Focus on your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary :  It’s important to present a well-written statement with good grammar and vocabulary. Write concrete, succinct sentences that flow well. Avoid flowery language. Visit the  Writing Center  for additional review and feedback.
• Proofread one more time:  Check your grammar and spelling again before submitting your final draft. Ask a friend, professor, or advisor to proofread your final draft one more time before sending it in. 

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT SHOULD ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• Why do you want to complete further research in this field?  Write down a list of reasons as to why you are interested in pursuing further study in the field. When did you become interested in the field and what knowledge have you gained so far? Describe how your previous work provided the foundation and for further study.
• Why  have you  chosen to apply to this particular university ? Does the institution have a particular curriculum, special research facilities/equipment, or interesting research that appeal to you?
• What are your strengths ? Demonstrate how you stand out from other candidates. Highlight relevant projects, dissertations thesis or essays that demonstrate your academic skills and creativity. Include IT skills, research techniques, awards, or relevant traveling/ study abroad experience.
• What are your transferable skills?  Be sure to emphasize transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management skills. Give examples of how you have demonstrated each of these with specific examples.
• How does this program align with your career goals?  It’s okay if you don’t know the exact career path you plan to take after completing your PhD. Provide an idea of the direction you would like to take. This demonstrates commitment and dedication to the program.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For examples of successful personal statements, visit the  Online Writing Lab (OWL) .

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Biomedical Graduate Studies

Immunology graduate group.

The University of Pennsylvania is proud to offer one of the top PhD programs in Immunology in the United States. The program provides students with the opportunity to work with outstanding faculty in both Philadelphia and Bethesda.

Prospective students can learn more about the admissions process and requirements through the Penn Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) website  and the IGG Open House.  

Admission is offered to students undergraduate training in biology and strong research experience. Completed applications are screened by the IGG admissions committee; important factors include research experience, letters of recommendation, research and personal statements, as well as records of academic success. Applicants who are invited to be interviewed will be notified between December and February, with interviews taking place in January or February. Admissions decisions are typically finalized by mid-March.

All students accepted for admission into the PhD program receive tuition and health insurance coverage, plus a twelve-month stipend for living expenses. More information about funding is available here .

University of Pennsylvania Immunology Graduate Group application can be found here.

NIH-University of Pennsylvania Advanced Scholars in Immunology Graduate Program and the NIH Track The NIH Track is designed for University of Pennsylvania immunology graduate students committed to conducting their thesis work at the NIH. The training plan includes a pre-matriculation rotation at the NIH, which is strongly encouraged and funded by NIH investigators through the Summer Internship Program (application deadline: March 1st). Following this, students will join the IGG program at the University of Pennsylvania in mid-August, where they will engage in coursework and lab rotations from September to May of the first year (first and second rotations). Although not mandatory, these rotations can be performed on an NIH-Penn collaborative project. In the subsequent summer, NIH Track students must complete their third rotation at the NIH and are expected to conduct their pre-dissertation and thesis research at the NIH after successfully passing their candidacy exam at the University of Pennsylvania. To be eligible for the NIH Track, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Applying to NIH-Track To be considered for the Advanced Scholars program, candidates must complete BOTH the University of Pennsylvania's Application AND the University of Pennsylvania NIH Track Application.

Important Note: If you apply to both Penn Track and NIH Track, please be aware that offers are made to only one of the two programs. Once acceptance letters are sent, a NIH Track acceptance cannot be converted to a Penn Track acceptance.

See the  Admissions FAQ  for more information. Contact the IGG coordinator  with any questions.

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A Trainee’s Guide: Crafting a Personal Statement for Laboratory Medicine Fellowship Applications

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Ria C Fyffe-Freil, Joesph R Wiencek, A Trainee’s Guide: Crafting a Personal Statement for Laboratory Medicine Fellowship Applications, The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine , Volume 9, Issue 5, September 2024, Pages 1091–1094, https://doi.org/10.1093/jalm/jfae067

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There are many unique paths that can lead an individual to the field of laboratory medicine. For some, the profession may be a natural sequence from their current work or research, and for others, the trail might be much more challenging at first to locate. Common paths to the field usually fall into 2 categories: medical doctors (MD, DO, MBBS) and doctorate-degree holders (PhD, DCLS, etc.). For medical doctors, a pathology residency is completed; then subspecialization can be pursued. Doctoral trainees, on the other hand, may be required to use an online tool such as myIDP to explore scientific career options based on aptitude and values ( 1) or may uncover the field by word-of-mouth. Regardless of route, once a prospective trainee commits to a vocation in lab medicine, there is ultimately no reversing course. Fortunately, to help navigate prospective trainees through the process, there are countless individuals in academic, private, and industry job settings who are ready to inspire the next generation by paying it forward. In this laboratory reflection, the goal is to provide some practical advice for one of the most critical aspects of the process—the laboratory medicine fellowship application stage, specifically the personal statement (or letter of intent). And while this piece focuses on clinical chemistry fellowships (as this is what both authors completed), the personal statement “do’s and do not’s” apply more broadly to any clinical laboratory medicine fellowship. Of note, aside from clinical chemistry, there are clinical fellowship opportunities in microbiology, biochemical genetics, laboratory genetics and genomics, as well as clinical immunology/human leukocyte antigen specialties.

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Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS)

Microbiology & immunology phd program.

The PhD in Microbiology and Immunology prepares graduates to become independent scientists in areas of GW faculty expertise, which include the study of host-pathogen relationships, inflammation, vaccine development, T lymphocyte activation, cancer immunology, molecular parasitology, molecular retrovirology (HIV/AIDS), and microbial genomics and proteomics.

GW is a proud partner in the  DC Center for AIDS Research  (DC CFAR) aimed at ending the HIV epidemic, and PhD students can pursue training and symposia from a number of experts in HIV research. Outstanding research programs also include the  Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty , which aims to mitigate the burden of human disease in developing nations. Students have access to the  Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy  (CETI) lab, a state-of-the-art  GW Biorepository  resource to facilitate research on HIV/AIDS and cancer, as well as cutting-edge university core facilities for flow cytometry, imaging, and computational biology.

The GW Training Program in HIV Persistence, Co-Morbidities and Therapeutics (supported by NIH T32 AI 158105) is a prestigious program to prepare doctoral students with the knowledge, analytic and leadership skills to become successful future HIV research investigators. Research is focused on 1) cure research including T cell therapy and reversal of viral latency, 2) co-morbidities including malignances and CNS disease and 3) prevention research including vaccines and novel therapeutics. Students apply for this program at the end of their first year, with their mentor and HIV related research.

The PhD in Microbiology and Immunology begins with the interdisciplinary coursework in molecular, cellular, and systems biology and research rotations offered through  GW’s Integrated Biomedical Sciences curriculum . In the second and third semester students add a comprehensive introduction to the conceptual and experimental underpinnings of microbiology and immunology. Further electives, career development coursework in scientific writing, oral communication, and research ethics and laboratory rotations are provided. Following required laboratory rotations, students complete a. grant-style qualifier and then work with their research advisor and the Graduate Program Directors to complete remaining Microbiology and Immunology degree requirements, including the research dissertation.

Microbiology and Immunology Courses:

MICR 8210: Infection and Immunity MICR 8230: Molecular and Cellular Immunology MICR 8270: Advanced Topics in Immunology MICR 8271: Basics of HIV Persistence, Comorbidities and Treatment MICR 8998: Advanced Reading and Research Seminar Course MICR 8999: Dissertation Research

Some Suggested Electives:

PUBH 6276: Public Health Microbiology MICR 6292: Tropical Infectious Disease ANAT 6182: Fundamentals of Regenerative Biology and Systems Physiology

Courses in genomics, cancer biology, neuroscience, and pharmacology are also available.

Seminars/Journal Clubs:

MITM Seminar series is once a month on Thursday at noon.  CFAR seminars and events are posted .

Examples of Recent Microbiology & Immunology PhD Dissertations:

Indra Sarabia, PhD 2021 “In vitro tools to study the establishment of HIV-1 latency and evaluate latency revising agents for HIV-1 cure strategies” Mentor: Alberto Bosque. F31 awardee. (Now Scientist-Biosassay at BioLegend, San Diego, CA)

Allison Powell, PhD 2021 “Genetically modified immune cells secreting broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV: restoration of systemic immunity” Mentors: Russell Cruz, David Leitenberg. (Now Scientist at TCR2 Therapeutics, Washington DC)

Graduate Program Directors:

Alberto Bosque, PhD, MBA Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine Ross Hall 617 [email protected]

Rebecca M. Lynch, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine Ross Hall 622 [email protected]

How to apply  to the IBS and Microbiology and Immunology PhD program

For IBS Application Questions contact  Colleen Kennedy, IBS Program Manager  at [email protected]

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 How to apply

Applicants to the PhD in Immunology and Immunotherapeutics program will need to submit: 

• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Official Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose: please provide a personal statement detailing why you are applying to the I2GP program
• CV (3-page limit. Please include relevant work experience, publications, and presentations)
• A one to two page written narrative of past research experiences (to include types of research and duration of experience).
• TOEFL or equivalent (international applicants)
• GRE scores are not required.

The priority deadline is December 1st , the final deadline is February 1st.

• Apply by the December 1 priority deadline Apply Now

Have questions? Email [email protected] .

After you apply

Interviews will take place in the months following the application deadline, with final decisions typically announced by April. Each cohort will accept six to eight students.

Ohio State’s commitment to diversity and inclusion

The PhD of Immunology and Immunotherapeutics program strives to recruit a diverse student body to allow for collaboration with learners from different cultures and experiences, to broaden perspectives and create space for new ideas. Through a diverse learning environment, you and your peers will learn from each other’s knowledge, experiences and perspectives to drive your own growth. The Ohio State University’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion is committed to enhancing the recruitment, admission and retention of students from underrepresented groups. This office currently offers professional and personal guidance, career development and networking and mentorship opportunities throughout Ohio State’s affiliations.

What Is a PhD Personal Statement?

How to structure your personal statement, final thoughts, phd personal statements.

Updated March 14, 2023

When applying for a PhD position, a personal statement is often required. This can be the case whether you are applying for an advertised PhD research project or with a personally devised project.

This personal statement is separate from your PhD research proposal, which will go into much greater detail about the PhD project you are proposing or applying to undertake.

This article will delve into what to your PhD personal statement should contain and how to structure it for the best chance of success.

A PhD personal statement will support your application and is intended to shed more light on your motivations, academic background/ achievements and personal strengths .

Your statement will most likely be read by the admissions tutor for the department, who, based on your statement and research proposal, will decide whether your application should progress to the next stage of the process.

A personal statement will not always be required, so make sure to check the requirements for your institution and department.

What Should a PhD Personal Statement Contain?

When writing your PhD personal statement, you will need to convey your suitability for the programme or position, indicating that you have the academic ability, background knowledge and drive to take on a project of this level of complexity.

Statements are expected to be heavily related to the discipline and research angle being proposed. Your statement should draw out the strands of your previous exploration and research and illustrate what led you to apply to complete this particular PhD project.

It should discuss your interest in the subject matter, your academic interests within the field and your motivations for applying to the institution in question.

Below is a list of topics that need to be addressed in your personal statement .

The examples provided are for illustrative purposes only. It is important that your writing is grounded in your own experiences and aspirations, and consistently linked to your research proposal.

1. Why You Want to Do This PhD

It is important to talk about your motivations for undertaking the project, along with an awareness of the challenges you may experience, as this will display your drive for completing your research.

Directly reference your research proposal, talking about how your current or previous studies relate and have prepared you to undertake this project.

The strongest argument for why you want to undertake the PhD will come from the arc of your academic research and displaying a genuine enthusiasm for advancing the research of your chosen field.

During my master’s degree at the University of Nottingham, I had two primary focuses: cultural behaviours and social media impacts. I was interested in how culture reacts under new stimuli, so I wrote my dissertation on how cultural practices can be newly read through the lens of media platforms. My proposed research proposal takes this theoretical and desk-based research a step further, exploring the reflections of the specific cultural practice of...

2. How Your Work Will Benefit the University

When applying for a PhD, what you will bring to the university as a junior academic is an important factor in the decision-making process. You will not just be a student but a member of the department, most likely with teaching responsibilities.

The faculty will want to know that you can meaningfully contribute to the department through both your research and teaching.

If your work links into other PhD projects currently being supervised, or to the research of a senior academic or professor, it is good to indicate these connections and the potential they hold – whether this is in terms of supportive research, a complementary strand or a new angle or perspective.

If there is an academic whose work you are particularly interested in and you have not already indicated that you would like the opportunity to work alongside them, highlight this. Display that you are knowledgeable about the department’s current research interests, specialities and standing.

Since beginning my MSc research and developing a more specific interest in mangrove restoration, I have closely followed the research being conducted by Professor Stephens into restoration and wave attenuation. As I subsequently elaborate upon in my research proposal, I believe that my project fruitfully intersects with this research. It aims to make a meaningful contribution to a department world-renowned for its research into marine and coastal climate change impacts.

3. Why You Want to Study for a PhD at This University

It is important to convey why you want to conduct your research specifically at the institution you are applying to. Admissions will want to know that you have thought carefully about your application and know exactly what undertaking a PhD with their department will involve.

Conveying this intersects with the sentiments of the above point, as you should display that you have investigated the work of the professors in the department and are aware of any individual research groups or projects that relate to your work. These intersections help to show why the university is the best choice for you.

I believe that the University of Cardiff offers the best reciprocal environment in which to grow and diversify my approach to this research. Working alongside my supervisor, I intend to tap into the departmental expertise on biodiversity mapping and – using the framework of the 2019 report by Fischer, Raymond and Wills – reveal new insights by building upon the current research.

4. Why You Are the Best Candidate

The PhD personal statement is an opportunity to promote yourself, so it needs to be specific, personal and unique – nobody else has your history, aspirations or skill set, so explain what it is about you that makes you best suited to this endeavour.

When stating that you possess certain skills, back them up with concrete examples or explanations that are unique to you.

Be wary of making your personal statement too general or simply writing what you believe the admissions team want to hear. There are no correct answers, perfect CVs or ideal academic paths to have followed to reach this point. Your personal statement should reflect your journey and what you have gained from it, segues and unconventional routes included.

During my English Literature master’s degree, I focused on videogames and late medieval literature. I could see at that point that literary studies had a lot to offer the study of games and that games provided interesting new angles for applying longstanding theoretical approaches and fields. This led me to complete a further master’s degree in videogames as I sought to apply my research in a more specific and digitally focused arena. I found, because of my background in humanities and literary theory, that I possessed a perspective that my fellow empirically-minded colleagues, with backgrounds in coding, lacked. Using this unique perspective, I am now seeking to develop the research of my master’s dissertation through a PhD project

5. What You Learned During Your past Degrees and the Skills You Developed

To get to this stage, you will have already spent many years devoted to studying and growing your interest in your subject matter, so sell yourself and your talents. Think about the individual and group projects you have undertaken and the skills they helped you to develop and hone.

Remember to be specific and relate your skill set back to your proposed PhD project. For example, talk about the methodological approaches you have used previously to yield results, the new connections and collaboration you fostered across disciplines, or the positive impact made by projects you were involved in.

Your examples will vary greatly depending upon your academic background and the PhD you wish to complete but, regardless of topic, it is important to reveal your high level of skill and competence.

During my MSc, I conducted fieldwork in [location] and gained direct experience of collecting samples for paleolimnological analysis. I developed an aptitude for rapid algal species analysis and enjoyed the challenge of comparing this population data across cores and sample locations. This practical background has enabled me to be confident in my ability to source and analyse the sediment cores I require for this PhD project.

6. Any Explanations for Lower Grades (If Applicable)

If you have any extenuating circumstances for any results or grades, do not be afraid to explain the situation in your statement. Be honest about your struggles or challenges and seek to convey how you have grown as a consequence of these.

7. Your Future Plans

It is important to have thought carefully about your plans for life after your doctorate, as displaying clear goals will help the admissions team to determine that you have the correct motivations for applying.

Having a considered path you intend to follow beyond your proposed research gives confidence in your dedication to the project. Someone with articulated ambitions is more likely to be committed to the programme in the face of challenges.

If you wish to pursue a career in academia, as many PhD graduates do, show that you are aware of what this will involve. If you have a different industry path in mind, don’t be afraid to share it in your statement. PhDs can lead on to a variety of different career paths, so impress the admissions team with your aspirations of practical application.

The university will also want to ensure they can provide you with the skills and training you require to be successful and reach your goals. Letting the department know early on about your aspirations can help to ensure that the tailored support you will require can be provided.

After completing my PhD here, I intend to pursue an academic career within an architectural faculty in the UK. If the opportunity is available, I will be looking to apply for a lecturing position within this department. I am, however, acutely aware of the fierce competition in this field. I will be proactively seeking legacy funding for my research project as its potential to inform the typologies of housing used for settlement upgrading extends well beyond the timescale of this PhD.

If you are applying to more than one institution, which is highly likely, ensure that you tailor your personal statement to each university. Taking the time to craft a statement that speaks to the specificities of the university and the research of the teaching department will exponentially increase your chances of moving on to the next stage in the admissions process.

Below are our tips for structuring your PhD statement. You must ensure that you are aware of all the requirements set out by the university to which you are making your application, as these will influence the structure and content of the piece.

Step 1 . Structure

PhD applicants are expected to be highly adept at writing, so it is paramount that your personal statement is carefully constructed and reflects your ability for written communication .

The university you are applying to may provide you with a word count , or it may be stipulated by the space allowed on an online application form . Check if this is the case, as it is far easier to write to a specific word limit rather than having to make extreme edits to a piece that exceeds accepted length.

A PhD personal statement should be approximately one to one-and-a-half pages in length and be split into clear and concise paragraphs. If a sentence does not add value to the personal statement, omit it.

As a guide, aim for between four and six paragraphs , depending on their length. As previously indicated, it is best to keep paragraphs shorter rather than longer, as this will make your statement easier and more enjoyable for the admissions team to read.

Open your personal statement with a context-setting introduction regarding your academic interests and what has led you to apply for this research project. Seek to convey a real sense of yourself, so that those who read your statement can get a genuine sense of the student and junior academic you will be.

In the middle paragraphs , explore your motivations in greater detail, along with the qualities that make you a suitable candidate– with examples of when you displayed them.

It is important to provide a closing paragraph , bringing together the strands in your statement to solidly iterate why you are the right candidate.

Although it is best to avoid clichés and keep your writing original and interesting, conclude your personal statement by thanking the admissions tutor for taking the time to read your statement and considering your application.

Step 2 . Tone

When writing your statement, use a formal tone , correct grammar and appropriate language.

Colloquial and familiar language should be avoided. It is important to talk about your past academic and, perhaps, fieldwork or research experiences, but keep these professional in tone rather than anecdotal.

Ask someone to read through your statement to sense-check the tone and language used. It is always good to get a new perspective, particularly on a piece you spent a long time crafting.

Ensure you thoroughly check your grammar and spelling using the spell check function on your computer and also by eye. If including complex academic terminology, double-check that your terms are spelt correctly and have not been mistyped or incorrectly recognised and changed by your computer.

Writing a personal statement that accurately reflects your achievements, abilities and drive to take on your PhD can be a difficult task.

It is important to leave yourself enough time to write a draft statement so you can receive outside feedback, review it yourself and make the necessary improvements to ensure your piece does your potential as a PhD student justice.

Demonstrate your suitability for doctoral work with a personal statement that is personal to you and your unique experience and skills. A carefully thought-out, well-structured and well-evidenced statement will sell yourself and your academic abilities.

Seek to connect with those who read your application, explaining why your journey has equipped you for completing a PhD you will be proud of.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

Or explore the Postgraduate / PHD sections.

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Immunology is an area of study within the Division of Medical Sciences, an administrative unit based at Harvard Medical School that coordinates biomedical PhD activities at the Longwood Medical Area. Students who study immunology receive a PhD in medical sciences. Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select  “Division of Medical Sciences” as your program choice and select "Immunology" in the area of study menu.

Sometimes this knowledge is translated into therapeutic advances. Discoveries about the immune system, many made at Harvard, have led to cures for cancer and therapies that have changed the lives of patients with autoimmune and allergic diseases. Research has also led to vaccines against newer pathogens, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Harvard immunology community is tightly knit and interactive. Our faculty are located at Harvard Medical School, the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, the Harvard teaching hospitals, and affiliated institutes such as the Broad Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Ragon Institute. Our students and faculty participate in the program’s weekly seminar series that brings together a diverse group of faculty, students, postdocs, and alumni who listen to cutting-edge science and congregate afterward for wine, cheese, and stimulating informal discussions on immunology.

Our students are involved in exciting research that spans basic immunology, vaccine research, cancer immunology, mucosal immunity, neuroimmunology, and so much more. The research executed by our students over many decades helped shape modern immunology and led to successful new therapies.

Our graduates have consistently gone on to become leaders in academia and industry. Many are faculty members at Harvard University; Yale University; Stanford University; University of Pennsylvania; Emory University; University of California, San Francisco; and elsewhere—while others have embarked on successful careers in pharma, biotech, and investing at many organizations including Pfizer, Janssen, Genentech, and Flagship Pioneering.

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See list of Immunology faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology

How to apply.

The graduate application process has two steps:

Submit the online application to UI Graduate Admissions, including: 

• Application fee is $60 by credit card, $100 for international applicants ( fee waiver details ). International students are not eligible for a fee waiver. Visit the  Big Ten Academic Alliance FreeApp  website to see if you qualify for their Program.
• Applicants who do not qualify for an application fee waiver will have their application fee reimbursed by the Program if they receive an interview invitation and complete an official interview.
• Self-report English proficiency test score (TOEFL or IELTS) if applicable
• If English is not your first language and you are admitted, you will need to provide an official score report from TOEFL  or  IELTS .

International applicants whose first language is not English must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in compliance with the university's  English Language Proficiency Requirements . TOEFL scores must be reported directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the TOEFL. The University's institution code is 6681. Automatic waivers of this requirement are granted for persons who have completed a bachelor's degree (or higher) at an accredited university in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada (excluding French Quebec), Africa (English speaking), Australia, or New Zealand.

After you submit your application, you will be sent a Hawk ID and password to access your Admissions Profile on  MyUI  with instructions on how to upload supplemental materials: 

• Upload your unofficial academic records/transcripts
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Research Statement
• Personal Statement
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• GRE scores are not required

If you are admitted, you will need to provide official transcripts.

Your Admissions Profile includes an electronic letter of recommendation feature. You will be asked to give the contact information of your recommenders including their email. The recommender will then get an email with instructions on how to upload the recommendation letter.

Your research statement should describe:

• Background, rationale, hypothesis and findings for each research experience

Your resume or curriculum vitae should include all:

• Research experience
• Teaching/tutoring
• Publications and presentations
• Conferences attended
• Relevant academic awards and prizes
• Professional memberships

Your personal statement should describe your:

• Reasons for pursuing a PhD in Immunology
• Career goals
• Reasons for choosing to apply to the University of Iowa       

Checking Application Status

Use your HawkID and password to log into your Admissions Profile on  MyUI . Check the status of your application frequently and follow-up with the appropriate institution(s) or person(s) to facilitate the timely submission of required materials. Applicants will be notified via email if invited for an interview.

Please note: Official transcripts and official score reports (TOEFL) are only required from the applicants accepting the offer of admission.

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• Biology personal statements

Personal Statement - Microbiology with Immunology 1

Microbiology with immunology personal statement 1.

My excitement for microbiology grew tremendously after a trip to the California Science Center for my homeschooling studies. They had an exhibit on infectious diseases and how the immune system defends against the daily siege of pathogens, which made a lasting impression.

My interests in immunology led to correspondence with Dr Orange, Professor of Immunology at University of Pennsylvania, in order to answer a question about in vivo antibody synthesis. He explained VDJ recombination, and recommended to read "Immunobiology" by Charles Janeway so I could further my knowledge of immunology. I also decided to attend a local American Society for Microbiology conference to network with local researchers and observe scientific talks.

I later posted on an immunology web forum about a HIV treatment I proposed after hearing about the subject at the ASM meeting. It was to use RNA interference to block translation of the "env" gene, which will render HIV unable to form its envelope, thus rendering it non-viable. I was contacted by email about the subject from Dr Bruner, a retired Cetus Corporation microbiologist, who offered his opinion as to my idea's feasibility, allowing me to make a number of refinements. Dr Bruner has since become one of my key mentors in pursuing a biotech career, and got me a student membership in the American Society for Microbiology.

Recently, I drafted a research proposal after reading Drs Andrew Taylor-Robinson and Glenn McConkey's research in malaria. The proposal involved cross-linking an antibody against liver-stage antigen 1 with diphtheria toxin subunit A to form an immunotoxin which will destroy the sporozoites in the liver. This will prevent or reduce progression to the merozoite stage, which will prevent symptoms from occuring, and also interrupt malaria's life cycle, thus preventing transmission. Dr Bruner suggested relevant literature to read to refine my ideas, and helped me integrate it closer with current anti-malarial research.

I eventually enrolled in Cerritos College to take a microbiology course. One major assignment was to create a group presentation on an infectious disease. Due to the professor having confidence in my understanding of microbiology and leadership abilities, I was appointed director of one of the six-student groups.

Organizing that presentation developed my team management and collaboration skills, which will be immensely useful to me as an industry scientist. I also learned how to present a complex scientific topic to an audience of laypeople in a clear, brief, and easily-understood format, a useful skill for when I have to give presentations to acquire research funding from investors or grant agencies.

During my free time away from my studies, I decided to teach myself the C++ programming language. A major project I worked on was coding a simulator of the Enigma cipher machine used by the Wehrmacht in WWII. This project taught me analytical, problem-solving, and resource utilization skills, which are imperative for a scientific career. I also enjoy playing the piano; I'm not very good at it, but it's still fun, and I've played in a few local recitals. It helps in developing my dexterity, my hand-eye coordination, and public performance skills.

I intend to earn a PhD, and start my research career in the drug discovery department of a biotechnology company, as I want to find real-world uses for my research. I also intend on returning to academia as a part-time instructor, in order to train young scientists.

Universities Applied to:

• University of Leeds (Microbiology with Immunology) - Offer - Firm
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SOP FOR PHD IN immunology

Do you need an SOP for PhD in Immunology? Getting a seat in a doctorate program in medical and health courses can be highly competitive. There will be an abundance of applicants who has the same credentials as you. In such a scenario, only a  well-written SOP  will set you apart from the crowd. The text will communicate to the university council about your passions and make them realize that you are a fit contender to their course. But the challenging phase for many students is when they have to come up with an eloquent SOP for PhD in Immunology.

SOP Samples For Masters

The key objective of writing a statement of purpose for a PhD in Immunology is to sway the favour of the university admission panel towards you. But a simple citation of your accomplishments and merits will not cut it for most universities. But what can make a difference is the craftsmanship and elegance of your content. Many students with good qualifications had to face rejection just because they overlooked the importance of an SOP and expressed themselves feebly. But for you, this is no cause for concern as we, the professional writers, at your service.

Most of the universities will provide directions regarding the word limit, style, and content to guide you in sop for PhD in Immunology. However, if you are not an experienced writer, it can be a bit perplexing to get your writing on track. This is where leafing through sample sop pdfs for immunology can help you out. After reading a fair amount of high-quality content you will get a feel for what ideas and topics you should include in your document. It will also show you the right tone for writing this serious document. Make sure to read more than one format so that you will have a vast choice of themes to pick out from. Below we have given you a few tips that we put to use when preparing SOPs for students.

• A premium quality statement of purpose for PhD in Immunology should exhibit your research aptitudes along with your brilliance in academics.
• The text should also mention your career aspirations. Whenever it is possible, give lucid and genuine goals that can be realized after you have undergone the course.
• Justify your motives for pursuing advanced education in Immunology. Do not limit the essay to well-paying jobs. Portray yourself as a person with a purpose.
• In your SOP for PhD in immunology try to keep the redundancy of ideas to a minimum. Rephrasing the same idea over and again will backfire as an attempt to elongate the document.
• Highlight your fortes in every arena. Show that you are not just only a capable student, but can bring out a good performance in non-academic challenges as well.
• Avoid abbreviations, slang, and any type of informal writing
• Always be mindful of the word limit and stick to it

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In search of the ideal statement of purpose sample for phd? To help you understand, we’ve included a few SOP samples that have been approved by experts. To download free samples, click on the links in the attachments below.

So you might be wondering how to write your own statement of purpose for PhD in immunology while implementing the tips given above. The time-consuming method is to get started with a draft and revise it several times until you get a satisfactory result. The optimal approach, however, is to approach a professional SOP writing service. Our expert writer will compose documents that are original and designed to impress the admission council. Read along to find out more exciting features and information about our services. And don’t forget to give us a call if you are interested.

Are you Searching for the perfect SOP Samples for MS ? Here we have attached a few SOP samples to make your understanding clear. Click on the below-attached links to download free samples.

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We have professional content creators who have polished their talents with years of writing high-quality write-ups. We will evaluate your profile in depth and write in an appropriate and persuasive flair that has been established to be highly successful. As we will keep you informed and involved at all stages of drafting. Owing to this, you can rest assured that your SOP for PhD in Immunology is tailored and perfectly meets your requests. Give us a call to get more details of our services or to get started.

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Description

Graduate School

Personal Statement

Applicants will be required to upload a personal statement with the admission application in the space provided. Prior to submitting, please review file upload requirements .

Requirements

Princeton is strongly committed to welcoming students with diverse experiences. Describe a personal experience that influenced your decision to pursue graduate study. Explain how the lessons from this experience would enrich Princeton’s residential scholarly community.

The essay must be written in English and should not exceed 250 words. No specific formatting is required.

Review your final statement before uploading and submitting the admission application. If you submitted an application and need to revise your essay, you may upload the corrected version through the checklist before the deadline. After the deadline, no revised essays will be accepted.

Cancer Biology and Immunology

Applied in: winter 2013, university offers: bristol.

When I read ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ by Dawkins and ‘Cancer’ by Scotting, I realised that Biology was more than just a school subject. From fossil records to more modern DNA mapping used for identifying relationships between species, Dawkins showed me just how many different ways there are to prove evolution. Scotting revealed to me the more scientific and medical side to Biology, from the risk factors of carcinogens leading up to how cancer cells form and are transported around the body using the lymphatic system. My interest in learning more about the wider world of Biology led me to organise work experience shadowing a surgical team at Hillingdon Hospital. Observing the team in theatre allowed me to see how having a biological knowledge is used in a more practical setting. I also had work experience in a biochemistry research lab at the University of Reading. I followed a researcher introducing DNA into cells and detecting proteins using antibodies by a process called Western blotting. This was very interesting and enabled me to see how diligent researchers have to be in order to conduct successful experiments. I have been to exhibitions and lectures at the Wellcome Trust Museum, including a talk about how radiology was used at the Olympic Games. I was interested in how varied sports injuries can be and how some bodies are able to cope better than others with intense exercise.

My surgical work experience allowed me to see the more human aspect of Biological research, specifically immunology. I now have a clearer idea of the challenges that researchers must face and the practical, ethical and scientific questions that they must answer. I recently read an article in the New Scientist on the benefits of the BCG vaccine in reducing susceptibility to eczema and asthma by up to twenty five percent, an effect that until recently was unknown to the vaccine’s developers. The ethics behind this are complicated since the researchers were unaware of these effects and yet the vaccine was given anyway. What if there were adverse effects that were not known about? How would patients affected by this be treated and who would be blamed for allowing the vaccine to be distributed? This showed me how the field of immunology is constantly being reassessed and the importance of precise research. I attended a course on BDNF to research a field that wasn’t covered by the school syllabus. I learnt how this chemical can assist with neurogenesis and be produced through exercising to help treat conditions such as dementia and depression. This encouraged me to co-write a paper on the effects of BDNF on Dementia which was published by Medlink (http://bit.ly/18TUK3n). I enjoyed the aspect of researching a new topic beyond my school course and attempting to come up with ideas for possible uses of the knowledge.

Being appointed a senior Non-Commissioned Officer in my school’s Combined Cadet Force and achieving the Duke of Edinburgh’s silver award have helped me develop my teamwork. Through my positions of responsibility at school, being elected as both a Senior Prefect and a Head of House, I have improved my leadership and confidence skills. I have mentored in GCSE Biology, refreshing and reinforcing my own knowledge. I also organised a school team to participate in the Great Gorilla Run, a charity event for the conservation of gorillas. My participation in squash and running teams at Borough level and for national races has developed my team working skills and also time management, as training must fit around my school work. I believe these qualities are essential for the modern scientist working in a team and managing large amounts of research effectively.

My long-term ambition is to work for a body such as the World Health Organisation, which influences healthcare on an international scale. I believe that studying this course will help me realise this ambition while opening my eyes to the varied world of Biology.

Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.

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Postgraduate medical microbiology personal statement example.

Southampton University hosts the national biofilms innovation centre and fellows linked to this lectured me on their most recent findings within my biofilms and microbial communities module. I was captivated by the module content and enjoyed building upon my second-year module, medical microbiology.

I scored high first-class grades in these modules, including one of my highest grades ever — 90 % for a question on quorum sensing within pseudomonas aeruginosa. I became aware at University how we now face a critical point in microbiology. Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a worldwide issue, and as such, people are dying unnecessarily in hospitals. It is down to microbiologists to solve this problem, and I wish to be a part of that story.

Following my second year, where I was awarded a faculty merit award for averaging above 75%, I secured a seven-week placement with Bioquell. It was during this project that I got to play a role in tackling problems related to hospital-acquired infections. The project involving using hydrogen peroxide to eliminate multidrug-resistant biofilms. Following the addition of hydrogen peroxide to bacterial spores, I used an omega plate reader to measure the rates of cell metabolism using a fluorescent compound.

Geobacillus sterothermophillus spores were used because they represent the most resistant bacterial form in nature. If they were eliminated, we could be sure that all other bacteria would also be destroyed. I found this project exciting because I knew the technology would be used to eliminate bacteria within hospitals. This placement exposed me to a range of microbiological techniques and developed my skills in relevant statistical approaches. The project also involved communicating my results to senior colleagues, exposing me to the commercial implications of the project and its impact on public healthcare.

In the third year, upon completion, I was awarded a Dean’s list award for “sustained academic excellence”. I chose to focus my thesis on a nucleic acids project to diversify my laboratory skills. I used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock-out the gene WISP-1, which is understood to play a sinister role in some cancers and lung fibrosis. The procedure involved cloning CRISPR guide oligonucleotides into a vector, maintaining and transforming a cell line and using PCR and Western blot analysis. I developed an array in silico skills through the use of SnapGene and Ensemble, abilities I can further utilise in my masters.

This MSc appeals to me because the modules taught in the programme align well with my academic curiosities. For example, I enjoyed learning about virology and scored a rare mark of 100% in a related examined essay. I wrote about the infection mechanism of the Epstein Barr virus and performed well because I found the content extremely interesting. This motivated me to carry out extensive extra reading, which I applied effectively to the question. I have also learnt about HIV, and other retroviruses such as the human moloney leukaemia virus and how this can be utilised to deliver therapeutic transgenes in the treatment of genetic pathologies. Other microorganisms I have studied include; fungi, parasites and protozoa.

In terms of my academic ability to perform well in this masters, I have been a consistent first class student. Out of eighteen examined essays presented to me in the 2nd and 3rd years, I scored a First in fifteen of them. My ability to understand and apply fundamental biology is an excellent skill for this masters. My laboratory skills are also of a High standard. In my dissertation, I was commended for contributing to meetings and for my ideas related to the direction of the project. During my placement, the module lead of my biofilms module told me I performed well in this particularly tricky project.

In addition to my academic aptitude, I plan to use this year to improve my understanding of microbiology. Alongside applying to become a member of the Royal Society of Biology, I recently attended a seminar by Dr Stephen Wallace titled “Native and engineered microorganisms for chemical synthesis”. I will also be volunteering on a project exploring the ability of DNA to self-assemble, with potential to be used in medicine, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology.

In conclusion, I wish to study this MSc because it will give me transferable skills to complete a PhD within a related discipline. I hope to contribute positively to research focusing on the reduction of hospital-acquired infections. Due to LSHTM being such a specialist establishment, the lecturers are at the forefront of their fields and us such, they will make an excellent contribution in continuing my education and transforming me into a successful microbiologist.

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Medical microbiology at London School of hygine and tropical medicine

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