To assist students in applying for PhD programs, the 33rd Career Planning Lecture on Domestic PhD Applications was held on June 21, 2025.

The lecture was hosted by SFS's Career Development Studio and organized by Class 2118 (Master's Program) and Graduate Student Union.

Huang Xinyao, a 2022-entry master's student at SFS, was invited as the guest speaker to share insights on key application components and academic preparation.

Huang began with her personal experience from paper writing to PhD admission, outlining the fundamentals of PhD application preparation.

She emphasized balancing academic depth with program fit, advising students to focus on specific research areas early on and build a "personal research identity" through core journal reading and participation in supervisor-led projects.

For paper writing, she advised aligning research topics with the target supervisor's research area and leveraging international conferences for academic networking opportunities.

On practical steps, Huang highlighted a three-step strategy: refining research focus based on target supervisor's directions, maintaining regular communication with potential supervisors starting from the second year of master's studies, and utilizing academic communities and research tools to enhance academic competitiveness.

The lecture provided practical guidance on academic planning, application materials, and university selection, bridging information gaps for prospective PhD applicants.