Should I explain to the graduate admission committee why I am older than most prospective PhD students?
Firstly, I know that there are plenty of questions here like this one but hopefully this is not a duplicate.
I was born and grown up in Iran and belong to a religious minority (Bahai faith). As you know Bahais are not allowed to attend universities in Iran because of their faith. I was no exception and so could not study at university because of my religious beliefs. Between the age of 18 (when I finished my highschool in Iran) and 24, I worked as a construction laborer. At the age of 24, I together with my family (my parents and sister) travelled to Turkey and became refugees in UNHCR and two years later UNHCR sent us to Australia. I studied English for two years and after that I repeated year 11 and 12 because Australian universities did not accept my Iranian qualifications. At age 30, I started my undergraduate studies in Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and I will graduate very soon. I am now 35 years of age and would like to apply to be a PhD student in the first 5 or 10 top engineering schools in the world. I have maintained a GPA of 6.9, a WAM of 93 and was on Dean's merit list every year except the first year of my undergraduate studies. There is a possibility that I also get university medal but that is not certain yet.
Should I explain these details to the graduate admission committee explaining why I started my undergraduate studies very late at the age of 30? and what I was doing before that?
4 Answers
Such information would be relevant. The real trick would be to keep such a paragraph short and to the point. As such the question would be a good draft of such a section. I have two comments:
I would not start the second sentence with "as you know". If a committee member did not know, you make her or him feel ignorant. It is good to avoid invoking negative emotions in such a letter. Especially since leaving that part out does not change the meaning of the sentence.
It was not clear from the text whether it was the Bahai faith that prohibited it's members from going to university or whether it was the Iranian government that prohibited people with the Bahai religion to enter university.
I wish scaaahu had put that comment in an answer so that I could up-vote it.
Perhaps it will help you to know that I started the Ph.D. at age 56. It wasn't in a top ten university, but neither am I ashamed of my alma mater. Admissions committees are interested in potential for research and teaching. Show those and, with your background, you will get offers.
Do include a very brief explanation in either your cover letter or statement of purpose as scaaahu has suggested. It need not be as extensive as what you posted here. Just address the committee member who is thinking, "I wonder why...?" Something as simple as, "People of my faith are not allowed to study in university in my native Iran, so I got a late start."
I recommend that you put the information you gave us in your statement of purpose for a PhD application. At least for a US-style statement of purpose (which is usually about two pages) I would not suggest abridging the story you told us. Rather I agree with @scaaahu that your story is extremely compelling, much more so than what one normally reads in these kinds of statements.
If you can craft this as a narrative of the triumph of your intellectual interest and academic success over the adversities you've faced over a period of many years: look, that's awesome. If I saw that in a PhD application to my program (mathematics, UGA) then I would be passing your statement around for the entire admissions committee to read. If the other parts of your application were reasonably competitive, I would be well on my way to pushing strongly for your admission.
Let me end my saying that I was personally touched by your story. You have a lot to be proud of and will certainly serve as an inspiration to many others. Academia needs people like you.
Considering your background and the circumstances that led to your delayed entry into higher education, it is likely beneficial to provide context to the graduate admission committee. They will appreciate learning about the challenges you faced as a member of the Bahai faith in Iran, which led to your inability to pursue higher education. The subsequent years you spent working as a construction laborer, and your experiences as a refugee, demonstrate resilience and determination. Your decision to pursue higher education at the age of 30, and your subsequent academic success, is a testament to your hard work and commitment. The fact that you maintained a high GPA and were on the Dean's merit list every year, except the first year, showcases your academic potential. However, you must present this information in a tactful manner. Avoid apologetic or defensive language, and instead, frame your experiences as opportunities for growth and development. Highlight how your unique background has prepared you for the academic rigor of a PhD program, and how your life experiences have provided you with a distinct perspective and skill set. When explaining your age, avoid simply stating it. Instead, emphasize your academic achievements, and how they demonstrate your potential to succeed in a PhD program. You may also want to mention how your age has allowed you to gain valuable work experience, which will enable you to bring a unique perspective to your research. Ultimately, the goal is to showcase your strengths and qualifications, while also providing context for your circumstances. By framing your experiences in a positive light, you can demonstrate your potential to excel in a PhD program, and showcase your unique value as a candidate.
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