diff --git a/backend/services/academics/hiring.py b/backend/services/academics/hiring.py
index 5580d674b..62bf477e7 100644
--- a/backend/services/academics/hiring.py
+++ b/backend/services/academics/hiring.py
@@ -237,11 +237,7 @@ def get_phd_applicants(
             select(ApplicationReviewEntity)
             .where(ApplicationReviewEntity.application_id.in_(application_ids))
             .where(ApplicationReviewEntity.status == ApplicationReviewStatus.PREFERRED)
-            .options(
-                joinedload(ApplicationReviewEntity.course_site).joinedload(
-                    CourseSiteEntity.sections
-                )
-            )
+            .options(joinedload(ApplicationReviewEntity.course_site))
         )
         instructor_preferences = self._session.scalars(instructor_review_query).all()
         for review in instructor_preferences: