<p>I am starting to research PhD programs for this upcoming application. My master's coursework is in molecular biology/biotechnology, however, my MS research is in insect ecology.
I would like to do a PhD program studying vector-borne infectious diseases on the molecular level. </p>
<p>I am curious, what is the appropriate amount of focus on the personal statement? I don't want to limit my chances at various programs due to being too focused on a specific research topic. However, this is the path of research I am truly interested in. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I think it’s good to be specific. Early on in my statement I mentioned some items about what got me interested in my field (computational biology/bioinformatics), which included a few courses and generalities, but most of the statement focused on my specific research interests and experiences, and where I hoped to take these interests in the future. </p>
<p>Some programs may ask you to mention specific professors that you are interested in working with. In this case, I would say that you definitely want to be specific about how their research interests fit with yours. I don’t think you need to describe the specific aims of your would-be PhD thesis or anything, but you should connect the dots between your experience and the research going on at the school you’re applying to. If you want to study vector-borne diseases, I think you should definitely mention that in your statement, as long as you can provide evidence as to why your previous experiences led you to that conclusion. </p>
<p>I also think that “vector-borne diseases” is about the right level of specificity. You will want to get more specific when you discuss what you have previously worked on, but for the purposes of identifying your research interests to an admissions committee it’s important to have a short phrase that acknowledges that you have well developed research interests, but also is not so specific that you come across as an inflexible would-be specialist. For me, my stated interest was in “algorithm development for problems in evolutionary genetics.”</p>
<p>In my opinion, it’s important to make your personal statement into a compelling story. It should be more than a list of experiences and accomplishments, it should give insight into your passions and it should convey to the committee how a PhD in biology will help you achieve your goals.</p>