Name

Yvonne Badke

School

Michigan State University

Degree Program

Third year PhD student in Animal Science

Previous Degrees

Master of Arts in Psychology, 2009; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, 2009

Dissertation Topic

Development of statistical tools and software for use in genomic selection

Research Interests

Statistical genetics and genomics; applied statistics

Hobbies

Cooking, horseback riding, traveling, reading

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I chose Michigan State University for my PhD program in animal science partially because my fianc? was accepted for a PhD program here, but also because it is a very good research institution. I was encouraged by the opportunities for interdisciplinary research that my program offered as well.

Did your application requirements include any standardized test scores?

Yes, Michigan State University requires doctoral students to submit scores from the GRE exam. I used GRE prep books from Kaplan to prepare for the test.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

In my personal statement, I discussed my personal and academic goals. I wrote about the unique contributions I hope to make in the field of animal science through participation in Michigan State University’s doctoral program. I also discussed the opportunities for personal development I hoped to gain through the process of earning a PhD.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

My method of approaching faculty for letters of recommendation was to ask several people in positions of authority to write me letters. I particularly wanted my masters thesis advisor and my secondary advisor to write letters for me, and they both did. Finally, I asked the head of the examinations committee at my former university to write a letter for me.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in animal science?

A tip for potential animal science graduate students is to carefully consider whether you want to work with a specific professor during your program. If you do, you should personally ask them if they would be willing to take you on as a student. In my case, I knew my professor before I applied to my program, so I knew that once I got past the general admission requirements, he would accept me as his student.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My PhD program in animal science typically takes 4 years to complete. During the first year, you focus on coursework while you learn how to navigate the responsibilities of being a PhD student. It is enlightening but overwhelming. Finally, at the end of the first year, you develop your dissertation proposal.

During the second year, you continue coursework. You also typically encounter obstacles with the dissertation process. There were multiple times in my second year when I wanted to start writing an entirely new dissertation, but I had to get past the frustration and carry on.

By the third year, you understand what you are working toward, but you also start to feel the strain of the program. You become aware that your funding will run out in the foreseeable future, so the dissertation committee pressures you to start publishing. In my case, you also have to pass comprehensive examinations during your third year.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

The focus of my dissertation research is genomic selection in swine. That is, I have genetic data for 4 different breeds of pigs, and I am developing statistical tools and software to implement genomic selection in livestock species.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your dissertation?

I have chosen to approach my dissertation by writing it in the style of a series of publishable papers. But I have encountered some obstacles in my research that have slowed the process down somewhat. For instance, some of the computer programs I require for my project did not work properly at first. It has also taken longer than I expected to write the necessary software. Despite these setbacks, the structure of my dissertation hasn’t changed, but some of the content has been altered.

How is the dissertation process different from working on a masters thesis?

The major difference between my dissertation and my thesis is in the scale of the projects. In my case, my thesis was a large project with a single objective, which was to complete it so I could finish my masters degree. It was not written to be published, unlike my dissertation.

Many people find the idea of the dissertation process to be intimidating, but you just have to start writing. You should also be aware that the process is very different from place to place. That means the earlier you begin to write, the earlier you will figure out what the dissertation process in your department is like.

Does your program have an internship component?

My program has a consulting component, which is somewhat like an internship. I will be consulting 10 hours a week during my third year. To qualify for the consulting program, you need to have at least a masters degree and some related statistics experience. You also need a formal recommendation.

My advice for finding a worthwhile internship is to be ready to leave your comfort zone. You need to challenge yourself to do an internship that will be useful to you. You also need to find a position that works with your schedule. Some companies require you to commit to 6 months, which is a long time for any PhD student. So you need to be prepared to turn down a consulting or internship opportunity if it doesn’t work for you.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor is closely involved with my education. I selected him myself, and I appreciate that his style of advising is very hands-on. I meet with him on a weekly basis in order to discuss my dissertation, and he makes himself available to talk with me when I encounter problems.

Does your doctoral program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

Yes, my PhD program in animal science does include comprehensive examinations that require a thorough knowledge of the literature pertaining to my field. Students should know that your professor will decide what material to test you on, so you should request a list of important literature to review. I also recommend that you talk to students who have completed their comprehensive exams in order to see what kinds of questions to expect from your particular professor.

How does a doctoral program differ from graduate study at the masters level?

A doctoral program is different from a masters program because the volume and quality of work you are expected to produce is far greater in a doctoral program. You are also required to manage yourself independently and do more original thinking. In fact, you can think of a masters degree as your first step toward independent scholarship. It is a transitional step in which you go from receiving knowledge to conducting original research. Then, when you are a PhD student, you are expected to supply your own ideas and solutions while becoming an expert in your field.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your PhD program cost?

My PhD program at Michigan State University does not cost me anything, since I was offered a research assistantship when I started my program. Other than a few books, my costs are covered. Without it, my program would have been too expensive for me to attend.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD student in animal science?

There are many time commitments for a PhD student in animal science. I am usually at the university for 8 or 9 hours a day, and it is not uncommon to work weekends and holidays on top of that. Since I am in my third year, I have about 2 hours of coursework each week. I work as a research assistant for 20 hours each week, and I spend at least 4 to 5 hours a day working on my dissertation. I am quite busy, but I do have a couple of hours of free time at night to unwind.

How has graduate school affected your family life?

Graduate school has had a significant effect on my family life. My educational path has moved me very far away from my family in Germany, who I see only once or twice a year. Closer to home, my fianc? is a PhD student at Michigan State University too, so we go to work together and meet for lunch every day. We are able to help and support one another.

My advice for managing your time would be to make sure that you make time for yourself. Some people need very little personal time and other people need a lot. While you need to be aware of the commitment required by a PhD program, once in a while you also need to be able to shut it out. For me, it helps to be physically active and go out with friends a couple of times a week.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I plan to be working outside of academia. Ideally, I would like to work as a research and development statistician in a consulting company.

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in animal science?

A student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in animal science should know that this is a very diverse field. The doctoral students in my department are pursuing a wide variety of research objectives, so it will help you to know specifically what you want to study.

Second, be prepared for the fact that your program follows you everywhere you go. This is not a job you can leave at the office when you go home. For example, if I find a problem in some of my code, I cannot just let it slide while I have dinner. Instead, I get on the computer and try to fix it from home. That level of devotion will bleed over into your home life. You should know that you will have relatively little money with almost no time for traveling, getting married or starting a family.