by Kasra Honarmand
Congrats! You made it to the PhD Campus Visit
During my Master's degree, I did research in the field of RNA biology and wanted to do a doctorate in this area, so I applied for an open PhD position during a MedUni Vienna PhD call. When I received the invitation to the PhD Campus Visit, I was excited about the opportunity to visit the campus and the idea that I could become part of my preferred PhD program and research group. It was a chance to see the university’s facilities, meet with faculty, researchers, and PhD students, and get a feel for the community I would potentially be joining. Feeling a bit nervous or unsure of what to expect during your visit is also natural. Thus, I will share my experience with you and tell you more about the benefits of the Campus Visit as a PhD applicant.
Meeting with the faculty
One of the most important aspects of visiting campus was the opportunity to meet with faculty members and their research groups. Before my visit, I received an agenda with scheduled meetings so that I would meet with all faculty members who were participating in the PhD call. These meetings were incredibly valuable, allowing me to ask questions about their research projects and learn more about the different PhD programs. The PhD campus visit also gave me a chance to discuss my own research interests and how they aligned with the program's offerings. Meeting with faculty members was a fantastic way to determine if the research projects and PhD programs fit me well and if my research interests aligned with the faculty's expertise. Don't be afraid to ask all your questions; there is no right or wrong question.
Touring research labs and working spaces
Visiting campus also allowed me to tour different research groups and their facilities to see where I would conduct research. While not busy with interviews, I explored different research labs, offices, libraries, and classrooms. This was especially important for me as the research facilities were a key factor in my decision to apply to the program. Seeing the facilities in person gave me a better understanding of the available recourses at MedUni Wien. Each research lab participating in the PhD campus visit had a contact person, usually a current PhD student, who introduced me to their research work and facilities. Naturally, not all research groups work in wet laboratories; there are also many computer laboratories on campus, which you can visit. If you want to visit all the places, be prepared to walk a lot!
Meeting with current PhD students
Visiting MedUni Wien’s campus allowed me to meet with current PhD students and postdoc researchers. These meetings were incredibly helpful as they gave me insights into the projects and the community. I was able to ask them about their experiences, both in and out of the working space and get a sense of the program's culture. Meeting with current students gave me a better understanding of what my daily life as a PhD student would look like and helped me envision myself as a member of the community. We also had a lot of fun and a lovely evening at the organized dinner. I had the option to establish first relationships and friendships, not only with future colleagues but also with other applicants. This proved to be very helpful later on because it allowed me to build a social circle faster when I moved to Vienna a couple of months later.
Interviews and Presentations
We were asked to give a paper presentation and prepare a poster, which we would also present later to faculty and team members. I had several individual and panel interviews with faculty and group members during my visit. This was an excellent opportunity to discuss my research and academic background and ask them to elaborate on their research projects. Remember, the campus visit is not only a chance for principal investigators to evaluate you but also for you to evaluate the program. Take advantage of the visit and gather as much information as possible during the interviews and networking events; you’d surely make an informed decision about your future in the program!
Explore your potential new hometown
You may have never been to Vienna before and do not know the city at all. If you can, extend your stay by a few days and decide whether you can imagine yourself living in Vienna. All I can say for myself is that I don’t regret my decision at all and feel very comfortable here. Vienna has a lot to offer!
Benefits of Visiting Campus as a PhD Applicant
1. Get a sense of the community
Visiting the campus allows you to see if the program's culture and community are a good fit for you. Meeting with current students can give you insights into the daily life of a PhD student and help you envision yourself as part of the community.
2. See the research facilities
As a PhD student, you'll spend much time conducting experiments. Visiting the campus and seeing the facilities in person can give you a better understanding of the available resources.
3. Meet with faculty members
Meeting with faculty members during your visit is a fantastic way to ask questions about the program and their research. It can also give you a sense of whether your research interests align with the program's offerings and the faculty's expertise.
It´s a valuable experience
Overall, visiting campus as a PhD applicant was an incredibly valuable experience. Finding a suitable PhD program that aligns with your interests is challenging. While you can learn a lot about a program from its website, speaking with faculty members and current PhD students in person will give you a better sense of what the program is really like. Being open-minded and engaging with the community during the visit is essential to get the most out of your stay. They gave me their perspectives on the program, including what they liked and disliked. They also gave me a sense of what the community was like and helped me envision myself as part of that community. These experiences helped me better understand the program and the community and ultimately played a significant role in my decision to accept the offer of admission. If you have the opportunity to visit campus as a PhD applicant, I absolutely recommend it!
Good luck, and I hope to see you during one of our PhD Campus visits!
The PhD Campus Visit is a three-day event organised by MedUni Vienna for the most successful candidates of our PhD Call to visit us on campus, meet with faculty and other scientists, and learn more about our research.