Doctorate Programs in Geography

Graduate School
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Hello. I am a prospective doctoral student. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and a Master’s Degree in Geosciences with special emphasis on cultural and historical geography. I am looking to apply to doctoral programs in Geography, American Studies, and other related fields.

I applied to five schools in the 2024 cycle and was rejected from all five. I took this cycle off and spent it trying to figure out what went wrong and what I need to do to make sure my application more successful. I am essentially drawing up a plan to apply again in this upcoming 2026 cycle. In all, I am eyeing sixteen doctoral programs, eleven of which are in geography.

I have questions for those who are currently in a doctoral program or, like me, are applying to one. They are, as follows:

(1) What constitutes a successful PhD application package?

(2) What are the best doctoral programs for geography?

(3) Do you have advice for how to structure the personal statements and statements of purpose?

(4) What advice do you have regarding taking the GRE? Before I did my Master’s, I took the GRE, and that was thirteen years ago.

(5) Do you have any other general advice or tips about PhD programs?

(6) Any advice on how to research programs and potential advisors?

(7) Do you have any miscellaneous advice?

Many thanks in advance for your feedback.

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First of all I did not major in geography, and do not know anyone who majored in geography. Years ago a sibling did get a PhD, I was accepted to a very good PhD program but decided to do something else, and far more recently a daughter was accepted to a very good PhD program (where she is currently studying). This was in three very different fields, but not geography.

I can tell you what my daughter did. For every PhD program in each university that she was considering, she found out what research was going on related to her field. She read the recent papers published by each professor in her field. She thought about these papers. For every application to every PhD program she was able to discuss how the work going on at that particular school related to what she wanted to do. When she was invited to interviews, before each interview she re-read the papers from each professor she was going to be talking to, and went into every interview with at least one question to ask the professor about their work.

She also had very good research experience, and very good references coming from this research experience. I will admit that she is in a field where research makes sense. I personally do not know what research is going in geography (but maybe you do know this).

I think that if you do the sort of homework that my daughter did, this will make it easier to write your personal statements. However, be honest and be genuine. Write what comes from your heart. Do not make up what you think anyone wants to hear.

13 years ago is too long ago. I would do some GRE prep before taking the GRE. A good tutor or tutoring service can give you a mock GRE with realistic timing and conditions, see how you do, and tailor any tutoring appropriately. My daughter applied test optional and I am not sure how much this hurt her chances (but she did get into the program that she wanted).

Look for a program that is a good fit for you. They will also be looking for a good fit.

Remember that you are taking on a multi-year commitment, and they are also taking on a multi-year commitment. They will want someone who they can get along with all that time.

At least from what I have seen PhD programs seem to be very competitive for admissions.

I think that this takes a lot of work.

Make sure that you want to do it.

and best wishes.

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