I have been writing about getting admission in colleges in U.S. and majority of my articles have been about getting into Master’s program. Mainly because, I completed Master’s and interacted with students from many different colleges. If I happen to meet a student from a different school, I will be the first person to ask about the graduate school, international student strength, financial aid, part time jobs, cost of living and of course his/her contact details. In this way I was able to gather information about many graduate schools and colleges.
Image Source : Listen Missy
Many students asked me about PhD program and whether its advisable to apply for PhD directly instead of Masters degree. I personally think, direct PhD will be better choice. Then other questions comes to students mind, who don’t have much exposure to research.
How to Succeed in Graduate School
I happened to find a very nice white paper published in ACM journal titled – How to Succeed in Graduate School: A Guide for Students and Advisors by Marie desJardins
It includes in-depth details of how it will be to study PhD. Majority of students planning to study in U.S. is no aware of many factors research, thesis, paper presentation, working as research assistant. I was in the same boat, but with many friends and relatives who were doing Master’s when I was applying to school, helped me to understand how it will be like to study in U.S. But, How to Succeed in Graduate School: A Guide for Students and Advisors is very clearly depicted about life of students. It’s a very nice read to understand what is it to like study PhD and majority of the topics discussed applies to doing Thesis work in Master’s program too.
Here’s are some excerpt from the paper
…start small, think big, and keep yourself focused on your ultimate goal, which shouldn’t just be to get through graduate school, but to enjoy yourself, make progress towards being able to do what you want to do with your life, and learn something in the process …
…Graduate students typically take nine hours or less of coursework per semester, especially after the second year. For many, the third year – after coursework is largely finished and preliminary exams have been completed ..
… Being a good researcher involves more than merely coming up with brilliant ideas and implementing them. Most researchers spend the majority of their time reading papers, discussing ideas with colleagues, writing and revising papers, staring blankly into space and, of course, having brilliant ideas and implementing them. …
Here’s the link to How to Succeed in Graduate School: A Guide for Students and Advisors
Hi, I am Tejaswini, doing my final year post graduation M.sc. in Psycho social rehabilitation, I am planning to do my Phd in US and I have started preparing for GRE and Toefl. Please help me in finding best universities that suits my profile.
I have done M. Pharm from reputed and internationally acclaimed research lab from India. I have 5 international publications in good impact journals and 5 poster presentations in national conferences. Presently I am working as an Medical Advisor in Pharmaceutical company. I am looking for PhD in pharmacy in USA with good scholarship. I dont want to do MS. Please guide.
Hello Sandesh,
Your profile looks good for PhD in USA. As you have already completed a M.Pharma in India, you can go ahead with your PhD plans. In order to begin with the admissions process, check for the University websites to choose your area of research and shortlist Universities. Simultaneously start preparing for GRE and TOEFL/IELTS. For a complete assessment of your profile and suggestions on Universities share details on the forums section.
Also check the PhD admission guide as here: http://www.happyschoolsblog.com/how-to-apply-for-phd-in-usa/
Hi.. Am Mohammad Aleem,, I have completed my Masters in Hospital Pharmacy. am v much intrested in doing phd in usa.. plz provide me all appropriate information ..
My graduation from Kakatiya university with 81% -2011
My post graduation from JNTU with 84%-2013
i dont have exprience can i apply.
plz assit me how to start my process
Hi Aleem, You have been good at academics. You can consider applying for a PhD. Admissions are although tough but start early and get ready for email communication with the professors at Universities you find suitable. Determine your own research interests and shortlist Universities with projects on same. For a profile assessment post query in the forum.
I am a B.Tech Bio Technology student in Chennai, I would like to know that,Can i do PhD in Bio tech with out MS in USA ?. and which University is allowing with financial aid, pls send me reply.
Thanking you,
Viswa
I completed my M.Tech in Radar and Microwave Engineering with 8.5 CGPA. I want to apply for PhD in US.. Could you please suggest me some universities and how can I proceed to apply them.
hello sir,
I have completed M.Tech in Computer Sciences,,could you guide me for applying Ph.D and steps needed to take care of that
Thanks
Dear sir/madam
I completed by MTech in ECE.so i am trying for Phd in USA tell me the procedure for how to apply…..
hello sir,
I have completed Master Program-me M.Tech information Technology ,could you guide me for applying Ph.D and steps has to take for that.
Thanks,
Naveena
Hi,
I’m Kunjan from Gujrat. I have completed M.Tech in Biotech by 2011. Now i am planing to do phd in usa . How to approach. What is the selection criteria, Is there any exam to write.
Hello,
What is the best university for doing PhD; European or US ?? Or Why most people choosing US only for higher education ?? In spite real fact about European university that, most whole science and engineering developed in Europe, you just take name of any scientist, mostly from Europe. Still why people choose US only ? ?
Thanks,
Manish
HI,
MY CAREER :
10TH/SECONDARY =50%
12TH/HR.SECONDARY =53%
B.S CGPA =2.39 OUT OF 4
M.S CGPA =2.75 OUT OF 4
WORK EXPERIENCE = 11 YRS as Assistant professor
GRE SCORE = not given
TOEFL = no given
SUGGEST ME THE COLLEGES IN ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER OR IN CS FIELD.AND TELL ME ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT WOULG GET FOR THI PROFILE
THANK YOU!
Hi,
I’m Narasi from Tamilnadu. I have completed M.Sc in Biotech by 2009. Currently i am working in treatment clinical trials in one of the private hospitals. Now i am planing to do phd in usa (preferably Minnesota) How to approach. What is the selection criteria, Is there any exam to write.
I have completed my Masters degree in Chemical Engineering and want to pursue my PhD in energy field can you please guide me for institutes offering PhD in Energy field and also the procedure to get into these institutes and financial assistance provided to students
sir i am doing m.b.a stream with finance .the thing is i want to do masters in us could u plz tell me which one is good to me either finance or IT
ami applicable to write GRE?
i have hectic confusion on this
Hi sir i m doin m.sc biotech in JNU i wanna do phd in cellbiology in US can u giv the best 5 US unis which can giv better fundings as well
hi sir,
i am doing my masters in computer science from indian institute of technology, roorkee and now im in final year. would u please guide me about the admission procedures and scholarships provided by USA universities?
Thanks dude… good job
Hi,
Please help me regarding one concern which i have.Presently I am working in software firm and want to pursue PHD. program from US.I just want to ask,how my performance in company will affect in selecting a good college from abroad.Pls in case if this performance will not going to help in any way then what else I need to do in software firm to get a good college.Pls help me because I am confused.
This has been the most dynamic website regarding information on GRE and at large studying in the U.S i'd never come across. I salute the pioneer(s) of this very site. Thank you so very much for the good work you're doing and please keep it up high. Well, this might sound abit difficult but i know for sure you will even give me a detail answer. After reading several of most of the answers given to questions asked concerning master and PhD, i'd made my mind to settle for the later since i hold BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and currently working with U.S Naval medical research unit 3/Noguchi memorial for medical research in Ghana-West Africa. Can you give me the detail and distinct procedure on applying for PhD but not masters because i do not want to be faced with denial. thanks, tussey.
Thanks for your wonderful comments. Can you look under PhD category to learn more about admission and application to PhD.
hi ,
i am B Tech (CSE) 2003, with 4 years teaching experience. I am planning to go for PhD for which i have applied for GRE.I wanted to know that what is the job scene after PhD . I don’t have any research background , will i be able to cope up with PhD . What would be a better option PhD or MS.??
THANX
Karuna