i completed my masters in biotechnology in 2005 .now i wish to write GRE and apply for phd in biochemistry/molecular biology in US. i wish to know-
1. how many years does it take to complete pHD in US
2.i had qualified for NET JRF exam to pursue pHD in India but failed to get a good lab..hence one year was wasted. how do i justify the gap in my studies while applying.
3. i dont have a research paper in masters..does that reduce my chances for being consideres for pHD?
4. how should i shortlist the universities.. that is how do i select from the loads of information available on the net.
RE:regarding phd in biological sciences
by Rediff Student Panel Expert on Aug 07, 2006 10:47 PM Permalink
1. how many years does it take to complete pHD in US
Ans. Average is 3 to 5yrs usually but it may be more in some Ivy league schools.
2.i had qualified for NET JRF exam to pursue pHD in India but failed to get a good lab..hence one year was wasted. how do i justify the gap in my studies while applying.
Just dont mention.
3. i dont have a research paper in masters..does that reduce my chances for being consideres for pHD?
Basically, papers are a plus in application. But if you dont have its ok. You should get a good GRE and TOEFL with very good letter of recommendation and nicely written statement of purpose.
4. how should i shortlist the universities.. that is how do i select from the loads of information available on the net.
First give your GRE bcoz good schools need a high GRE scores so if you have that then check ranking at www.usnews.com you can find more university at www.gradschools.com
RE:regarding phd in biological sciences
by Rohit on Aug 07, 2006 11:01 PM Permalink
Hey,
Since Chicago is a big entry point,there would be many ppl trying to enter US through Chicago, if u are getting delayed ..all you have to do is catch hold of a security officer,who might be around somewhere and let him know. But yeah be polite. I had similar problem but they are more than willing to cooperate...Best of luck...
Frankly telling you, it is very difficult for to get a PhD position in US with Indian masters. Lot people will say it is possible, but in reality rarest of rare people with Indian masters (expection IITs or IISc) have got a PhD position in well reputed US universities. Even with Masters from IITs, the professor in US will see under which professor you have done your Master Thesis & the international standing of that prof. Regarding that you have cleared NET or some other stuff, use your head, why a prof.in US will care about some exam in India,really they hardly care for it.99.9% profs in US or in Europe even do not knoz what it stands for.Best advise what i can give u is that,do you masters again in US. Do not say no way i will do another masters again.I have seen lot of jerks who think they are geeks in science getting struck with that ego.With ur Indian master,with a good GPA score, u can surely get the scholarship or T/A for MS course in a good US uni . Plus it will help & give u more time & broader prespective about your subject in US. This will help you in finding a really good lab. Doing a PhD with a good lab in US is no bloody joke.You will see it. Good luck!!
RE:regarding phd in biological sciences
by Sridhar on Aug 08, 2006 01:44 PM Permalink
hi,
It will take 5 years in US for your Ph.D as my sisiter completed recently from ohio. Sice you are a fresher , not having a publication doesnt mean that your admission chances will be hampered. BUt I would ask also for you to apply to germany and nearby european labs as there you can finish the phd in 3 years and you have publications. In europe you have to apply to the individual professors.
I was rejected the visa for US at the time of attacks so I came to germany for my PhD studies. Its nice here and and there lot of options for your area of interest.
RE:regarding phd in biological sciences
by vishu on Aug 08, 2006 02:35 AM Permalink
Dear Swati,
I am presently in University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee doing my PhD in Biological sciences.I know a thing or two about applying to US for bio stream.When you apply, the department looks at all the criteria for admission and not a single point.If your overall score(calculated from GRE,Academics,Research XP,Toefl etc) places you high on admissions list the better the chance you have for admission.It does not seriously hamper your admission odds if you dont have a publication.As for the one year gap you mentioned,being honest with your application seems the right thing for me.There are a few sites which have a list of Universities based on field of study(Petersons.com,f1-study.com.50states.com etc)which might help you to shortlist universities once you take GRE.Important thing in bio PhD admissions is that you get an approval from a professor in the department which necessitates prior contact with the profs before applying.Remember that some univs use GRE scores to filter applicants.
I am through with the process you are going through now, so i though I may be some help to you.If you want any more info, dont hesitate to contact me.
RE:regarding phd in biological sciences
by deepanshu on Aug 08, 2006 02:49 AM Permalink
it takes abt 4-5 yrs to do ur phd depending on ur capability to do it.
having a publicaion is obviously good, but many people get admission without it too. so dont worry too much abt it. its thw whole application that matters, not 1 particular thing.
RE:regarding phd in biological sciences
by nandita k on Aug 08, 2006 03:46 PM Permalink
Hi
Don't worry about the delay for the connecting flight.
Samething happened to me also as I was delayed at Philadelphia International Airport and I had to take the connecting flight to Allentown. I had to go from International airport to Domestic Airport.
But the surprising thing was the airlines people contacted the pilot who was on the runway to bring the plane back, put my luggage, got the steps for me to climb and made me feel comfortable with drinks and snacks.
RE:regarding phd in biological sciences
by bharath on Aug 08, 2006 12:35 AM Permalink
hi try applying to plant biotch at the msswaminathan research foundation chennai. this is a very good lab set up by the father of green revolution
