How I got into Stanford for a Physics PhD

This is a video about applying to various US physics PhD programs. I applied to Duke, Stanford, Cornell, Harvard, Caltech, Penn State, Columbia, Maryland, CUNY with varying results.

Link to blog post where you can also find an example of my personal statement: https://janetzh.people.stanford.edu/t...

Links to other resources:
- Link to my PhysicsGRE forum post: https://physicsgre.com/viewtopic.php?...
- Video I found helpful re external funding (where I got mission statement tip from)    • essentials for winning any fellowship...  
- Podcast between Steven Strogatz and 3b1b. In this, Steve describes also being okay-ish at standardised tests and grades, but he is now a well known maths professor    • Steven Strogatz: In and out of love w...  

Timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Overview of my application
00:57 GPA
01:08 GRE
01:32 Research experience
02:08 Personal statement
02:30 CV, Awards, Recognitions
03:03 References
04:31 Other
05:07 My results
05:57 Apply for a range of schools
06:31 Research fit
06:54 External funding
07:36 Field matters
08:30 Judicious life choices
09:51 Emailing faculty
10:58 After you've submitted...

About me:
I am a first year applied physics phd student at stanford. Currently, I am studying remotely from Australia. Previously I did a bachelors and mphil at the Australian National University. In my free time, I like sunsets, photography, skateboards, podcasts, solo travelling and people.
Twitter:   / janetzhong82