It’s very field-dependent. In ecology & evolution, advisor-student fit is very influential and most programmes are direct admit to a certain professor. The weighting seems different for CS programs, many of which make you choose an advisor after admission (my knowledge is weaker here).
In the UK it’s more funding dependent—grant-funded PhDs are almost entirely dependent on the advisor’s opinion, whereas DTPs/CDTs have different selection criteria and are (imo) more grades-focused.
It’s very field-dependent. In ecology & evolution, advisor-student fit is very influential and most programmes are direct admit to a certain professor. The weighting seems different for CS programs, many of which make you choose an advisor after admission (my knowledge is weaker here).
In the UK it’s more funding dependent—grant-funded PhDs are almost entirely dependent on the advisor’s opinion, whereas DTPs/CDTs have different selection criteria and are (imo) more grades-focused.