Keep in mind that it is not necessary for you to have a dissertation topic already chosen or even to have an extremely specific research focus. At this stage, you should just have a general idea of what you want to study and why. For example, if you are considering a PhD in English, then you should at least have an idea of the literary period that you wish to focus on.
For example, if you are planning to pursue a PhD in Chemistry, then you should find out more about the lab facilities at the university that you are considering. Try to identify as many potential schools as you can. Graduate school is competitive and you will have a better chance of getting accepted if you submit multiple applications.
Keep in mind that you may be working closely with the professor(s) you identify, so it is important to select professors who you really admire and whose research genuinely interests you.
Keep in mind that funding opportunities are competitive. Putting forth a strong application may increase your chances of getting funding, but there are no guarantees.
Location. If you plan to return to your home country during breaks, then some schools may make the trip home less time consuming than others. For example, if you will be flying back to India at the end of each school year, then choosing a school closer to one of the US coasts will make traveling easier than flying out of the Midwest. Keep in mind that it is not a good idea to select a school based solely on location. This will severely limit your choices. Cost of living. Some US college towns can be quite expensive, which can make it hard to get by on your student stipend. Look into the average cost of housing, food, and other expenses in the university areas where you plan to apply. Extracurricular opportunities. Clubs can other types of groups can make the transition to a US university a bit easier. Many schools have clubs for people from certain countries, who speak certain languages, or who share other interests. Check out the extracurricular opportunities that are available at the universities you are considering.
Taking the GRE three to six months in advance is a good idea. You may even want to take it about year before you plan to apply, just in case you do not get a good score and you need to retake it.
Score requirements vary by university, so check with each university to learn the score requirements before you apply. For TOEFL, you need to have at least a 600 on the paper-based test OR above a 95 to 100 on the internet-based test. For IELTS, you need to have above a 7. 0 to 7. 5.
For example, if you plan to apply to 20 different programs, then you will need to ensure that you have about $2,000 for the application fees. Keep in mind that the fees may vary drastically among schools. More prestigious schools may charge higher application fees than less prestigious schools.
For example, some programs require applicants to answer a specific question or set of questions in the statement of purpose.
For example, it would be better to ask a professor in your discipline than someone who taught an elective class that you enjoyed. Having one letter of recommendation from an administrator or employer can be helpful to show a different perspective of your academic goals. For example, you might ask your department’s chairperson, one of the university’s deans, or a current or former boss. As with the professors you ask, the administrator who recommends you should be someone who will give you a glowing recommendation.
Keep in mind that most schools require official transcripts. [6] X Research source Sending transcripts may or may not require you to pay fees, depending on your university’s policies.
If you have a piece that has been published, then this is an especially great choice for the writing sample, but unpublished pieces are fine as well. [7] X Research source
You may want to write one “basic” SOP and then alter or add to it as needed based on the special requirements of each university.
For example, you might say something like, “Since I was a child, I had a passion for the natural world, and this passion led me to my desire to become a biologist. ”
For example, you might say something like, “As an undergrad, I participated in on-campus research expos and even attended a local conference. Then, during my MA program, I had an article accepted to Biology Quarterly and presented at a national conference. ”[9] X Research source You can also talk about specific courses you took, professors who have supervised your work, and research that you conducted during your BA and MA programs.
For example, you might say something like, “I hope to develop a new process for growing corn. ”
Try reading each professor’s biography on the university website. You may also consider reading one of these professors’ publications, such as an article or book. Try saying something like, “I hope to work with Professor Jones because she and I share a similar interest in botany. ”
Make sure that you include examples throughout your entire SOP.
Some schools also require letters of recommendation to be submitted via an online system. You may need to submit your recommenders email addresses so that they can access this system.
Address the packets. Make sure that you double check the addresses for each of your packets to ensure that they will be delivered to the correct location. Pay for postage. International postage can be quite expensive, so make sure that you reserve some money to pay for this cost. Pay the postage for each of your packets and send them out.
