Dr. Banda Khalifa

We just crossed a major milestone on YouTube.

100,000+ subscribers.



This journey has always been about sharing knowledge that actually helps people move forward.


To everyone who has:

➤ Watched
➤ Subscribed
➤ Shared
➤ Commented
➤ Sent encouraging messages

Thank you.

What this milestone reinforces for me is:

→ Consistency matters
→ Value delivery matters
→ Showing up, even when growth feels slow, matters


We’ll continue to:

➤ Create content that informs

➤ Break down complex ideas

➤ Support students, professionals, and researchers wherever they are



This community made this possible.
And we’re just getting started.

Onward, and thank you for being part of the journey. 🙏🏾

If you are new….join our growing YouTube community… link in the description….

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 26

Dr. Banda Khalifa

Just wrapped our final episode of the year…with the Chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health



This conversation is essential listening for anyone in public health training, careers, and academic growth.

———————————————

Here’s what to expect in the episode:

Prof. Albert Hofman talks about

➜ ① Public health training: USA vs Europe

→ What’s different and what actually matters when choosing where to study?


➜ ② The impact of recent global funding cuts
→ How they’re reshaping research, careers, and what gets funded next


➜ ③ Admissions, cold emails & PhD interviews
→ What faculty look for.
→ How to stand out.
→ What applicants often get wrong.


➜ ④ The future of public health
→ Why the field needs bold, adaptable leadership and what comes next.

———————————————

🎧 Episode drops soon on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, LinkedIn, and YouTube.


Grateful to Prof. Albert Hofman for sharing his time, insights, and experience with such generosity.


Your perspective made this an episode worth bookmarking.

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 27

Dr. Banda Khalifa

Professors receive dozens of cold emails weekly. Your subject line is the first filter. Example of s𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻



Most cold emails go unread, not because the professor isn’t open to students, but because the subject line fails.

Make it specific, professional, and relevant.

Here are examples that professors actually open:


① Clear Research Interest

✅ “Prospective PhD Student Interested in HIV Prevention Research”

Never say….

❌ “PhD Inquiry”



② Referencing a Specific Paper

✅ “Question Regarding Your 2023 Lancet Article on TB Control”



③ Shared Background or Context

✅ “Former WHO Intern Applying to Johns Hopkins PhD Program – Interested in Your Work”



④ Application Timeline

✅ “Prospective PhD Applicant for Fall 2025 – Maternal Health Research”



⑤ Conference or Event Connection

✅ “Follow-Up from Your Keynote at APHA Conference – Global Health Research”


—————-

𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯: If your subject line could apply to 20 professors, it’s too vague.


Professors open emails that show effort, context, and fit; right from the subject line.


💬 Which subject line style would you be most likely to use?


♻️ Repost to help future scholars stop getting ignored in the inbox.

hashtag#ColdEmailTips hashtag#GraduateSchool

2 months ago | [YT] | 9

Dr. Banda Khalifa

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘄𝗸𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴)



For graduate school, scholarships, or jobs; your letters of recommendation can make or break your application.


But here’s the secret: strong letters aren’t written overnight. They’re built over time.


Here’s exactly how to secure one without the awkwardness 👇

———————————————

① 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻

➜ A lukewarm letter from a famous professor is weaker than a detailed letter from someone who knows you well.

↳ Choose people who can speak about your work ethic, impact, and growth.



② 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆

➜ Don’t wait until deadline week.

↳ Attend office hours, assist with projects, ask questions, let them see your curiosity and commitment.



③ 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺

➜ Provide your résumé, transcript, draft SOP, and a summary of the opportunity.

↳ The clearer the context, the stronger and more specific the letter.



④ 𝗕𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱

➜ Instead of: “Can you write me a recommendation?”

Say: “Would you feel comfortable writing me a strong recommendation highlighting my research and leadership?”

↳ This gives them space to decline if they can’t write positively.



⑤ 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 + 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆

➜ Ask at least 4–6 weeks before the deadline.

↳ Send polite reminders as the deadline approaches.



⑥ 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂

➜ A handwritten note or a thoughtful email goes a long way.

↳ And let them know the outcome; mentors love to celebrate your wins too.

———————————————


📌 The best recommendation letters are stories of your character, capability, and potential.

———————————————

💬 What’s the hardest part for you when asking for recommendation letters?


♻️ Repost to help someone secure stronger recommendations without the awkwardness.

#GraduateSchool #Mentorship

3 months ago | [YT] | 16

Dr. Banda Khalifa

Three (𝟑) 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐬𝐤 yourself before applying for a PhD…𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐡𝐃 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.




Pursuing a PhD is a monumental commitment of your time, energy, and finances.


Yet, too often, people embark on this journey because it feels like the “next logical step” or because it’s what their peers are doing.


Before you make this life-changing decision, ask yourself these three critical questions:


1️⃣ What is My Why❓

→ Do you have a clear reason for pursuing a PhD?

→ Is it driven by passion, a desire to solve a specific problem, or a requirement for your career goals?



2️⃣ Can I Handle the Isolation and Persistence It Demands❓

→ Are you ready for years of working independently on a narrow research topic?

→ Do you have the resilience to handle setbacks, rejections, and long stretches of uncertainty?



3️⃣ Do I Know the Alternative Pathways❓

→ Have you fully explored non-PhD options like professional degrees, certifications, or industry-focused roles?

→ Are there other ways to achieve your goals without committing to a 4–7-year program?



🔑 Reality check: Many career paths, including consulting, policy-making, or even academia, don’t always require a PhD.

Knowing your destination will help you decide if a PhD is the best route or if another path can take you there faster and more effectively.


———————-

The PhD journey is not a race or a box to check.
It’s a deliberate choice that should align with your long-term vision.

The worst reason to pursue a PhD is because it seems like “everyone else is doing it.”

The best reason?

Because you’ve considered all your options and it’s the one path that genuinely excites and fulfills you.



🎯 So, ask yourself:

→ Am I ready to invest years into this journey?

→ Do I fully understand what’s ahead?

→ Is this truly the path for me or the one others expect me to take?



What made you decide to pursue (or not pursue) a PhD?


#PhDJourney #CareerDecisions #Groupthink #GradSchool

6 months ago | [YT] | 36