Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Obtaining a doctorate (PhD or Doctor of Philosophy) is a difficult pursuit goal that can take many years to achieve. However, earning a PhD is a life goal for some, and it can lead to a satisfying career in the future. If you are determined to get your doctorate in the US, you will need to apply for a number of doctoral programs. The application process will take time and money, but is necessary if you want to have a PhD.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Study school and curriculum

1. 

   Determine your favorite research direction. Take some time to reflect on your past studies and consider current research directions. What kind of PhD would you like to pursue? What research would you like to do in your goal of earning a doctorate?
   • Remember that you don't have to choose a dissertation topic or even focus on a particular particular study. At this stage, you should just have a general idea of ​​what you want to learn and why. For example, if you are considering a PhD in English, you should at least have an idea of ​​the literary period you want to focus on.

2. 

   
   
   Find a program that fits your needs. Before you begin to apply for a program of study, you should take the time to research your school carefully and find a program that can support your research direction. Find a school that has programs that allow you to do the type of study you want.
   • For example, if you plan to get a PhD in Chemistry, you should learn more about equipment and laboratories at the university you are considering.
   • Try to find as many potential schools as possible. Graduate schools are often competitive and you must have a high chance of getting accepted if you submit multiple applications.

   

   
   
   Carrie Adkins, PhD
   Doctor of American History, University of Oregon

   Do you want to get a job with a professor's degree? Carrie Adkins, Ph.D. in history, said: "Depending on your industry, the job market of the academic fields can be very wide open. If your dream is to get a tenure- oriented professor job. track, please find high-profile programs for the positionplus helping students shape desirable application models ".

3. 

   Choose a research-oriented professor that appeals to you. Some schools require or at a minimum want you to identify professors with whom you want to work. You may already have the idea of ​​some professors who could help guide you in research, based on research that you have completed during your bachelor's or master's program.
   • Remember that you will be working continuously with the professor you are looking for, so it is important to choose a professor that you admire and whose research direction really interests you.

   

   
   
   Carrie Adkins, PhD
   Doctor of American History, University of Oregon

   Your mentor will influence your opportunities in the academic field. Carrie Adkins, PhD in history, said: “If you want to find an instructor willing to help you in the academic job market, maybe by allowing you to separate class and publish co-moderated articles about to graduate. "

4. 

   Look for sponsorship opportunities. Graduate school is often expensive, especially for international students. Therefore, it is important to find as many potential funding opportunities as possible. Most schools offer tutoring scholarships, research scholarships and a number of other funding opportunities that can help waive tuition fees and provide you with a small income.
   • Remember that sponsorship opportunities are competitive. Applying for the top spot can increase your chances of getting funding, but nothing is certain.

   

   Carrie Adkins, PhD
   Doctor of American History, University of Oregon

   Even then, you still need a backup plan (or two to three) before dedicating a few years of your life to a doctorate.

5. 

   Consider other factors. While not as important as the curriculum and sponsored scholarships, you should also take the time to consider the practical side of the school that you are interested in. A few additional factors to consider include:
   • Location. If you plan to visit your home country during the summer break, some schools may offer a home visit that takes less time than others.For example, if you want to fly back to India at the end of the school year, then choosing a school close to one of the US coasts will make traveling easier than flying out of the Midwest. Remember, it's not a good idea to choose a school based solely on location. This will limit your choices.
   • Cost of living. Some towns in the US have university campuses that are often expensive, and this can make it difficult to manage student income. Consider the average cost of housing, meals, and some other expenses in the college area you plan to apply to.
   • Extracurricular opportunities. Clubs are another type of group that could make the turning point for university easier in America. Many schools have clubs for people from many countries, speak multiple languages, and share interests. Look for extracurricular opportunities at the university you're considering.
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Part 2 of 4: Meet basic requirements

1. 

   Have the appropriate qualifications. A bachelor's degree is required on all applications for doctoral programs, and some doctoral programs may also require a master's degree.

2. 

   GRE certificate exam. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is also one of the entry requirements for master's programs in the US, so you need it. have a GRE certificate before applying. It will take a few months to get your score, so make sure you get your GRE certificate before the admission process.
   • Getting a GRE certificate about 3 to 6 months in advance is a good idea. You can even get this certificate about 1 year before applying, in case you did not achieve the desired score and want to take the test again.

3. 

   Exam for TOEFL or IELTS certificates. If you live in a country where English is not a native language, you will need TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language). Testing System is an international test that comprehensively evaluates 4 language skills including Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). These tests will assess your English language skills and help schools decide if you are eligible for admission at an English language university. Just like with the GRE certificate, you should take one of these tests before you start applying for your admission.
   • Each university has different score requirements, so check with each school to know your score requirements before you apply. For the TOEFL certificate, you need to score more than 600 points in the paper exam OR over 95 to 100 points on the online exam. For the IELTS certificate, you need to score above 7.0 to 7.5 points.

4. 

   Make sure you can pay the fees. The admission fee for doctoral programs for international students is usually quite high, such as around $ 100 US dollars (more than 2 million VND) in each enrollment. Because you need to apply to many schools to increase your career opportunities, make sure you can afford the fees before starting the process.
   • For example, if you are planning to apply to 20 different training programs, make sure you have enough $ 2,000 (more than 40 million VND) in the enrollment fee.
   • Remember that fees can vary significantly from school to school. A more reputable school may require higher admission fees than a less established school.

5. 

   Compare special requirements for many different schools. Each school has its own admission process and some schools may have special requirements. For your chance to receive an admission notice, make sure you carefully read the admission instructions for each school you plan to apply to. Identify any special requirements that you will need to meet before applying for your admission.
   • For example, some programs require the candidate to answer a particular question or questions related to SOP (Statement of Purpose is personal essay).

6. 

   Request letter of recommendation. Having a few positive recommendations from a professor or a higher education manager will also improve your chances of being admitted to a doctorate program. Ask a professor who understands you well and is able to evaluate your competence in the doctoral area.
   • For example, it would be better to ask the professor in your department than someone teaching the elective class you attend.
   • Referrals from your manager or boss can also be effective in expressing a different perspective on your learning goals. For example, you might ask the principal, dean of the university, or the former / current boss. Similar to thanks to professors, the manager that will recommend you to give enthusiastic recommendation letters.

7. 

   Required transcripts. Transcripts are one of the requirements in the admissions process, so make sure you understand the procedure for getting them from college and applying as soon as possible. Because your PhD applications will be e-mailed internationally, it is important that they take a long time.
   • Remember that most schools require original transcripts.
   • You may or may not pay a fee when submitting your transcripts, depending on university policy.

8. 

   Select the post template (if required). Some training programs require candidates to submit writing samples as part of their admission. This sample essay should reflect your research direction and demonstrate your writing and research skills. Choose articles that you like.
   • If you have a post template that has ever been published, this is especially a great choice for post templates, but never-posted ones are also quite good.
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Part 3 of 4: Writing personal essay

1. 

   Check for special requirements before starting to write. Some colleges will have special questions or methods for the personal essay format you need to follow. Make sure you understand the essay requirements for each college you plan to apply to before you start writing.
   • You can write a personalized "ground-up" essay and then modify or add it, based on the unique requirements of each university.

2. 

   Provide some basic information. The first part of a personal essay is usually an introduction where you can talk a little about yourself and your interests. This paragraph should provide information about your education, rather than hobbies you have, like cooking or collecting rocks.
   • For example, you could say things like, "Since I was a child, I have been passionate about the natural world, and it is this passion that drives me to want to be a biologist."

3. 

   Talk about your preparation for a doctoral program. The next point you should address in your personal essay is your preparation for a PhD. In this section, you should describe your thesis up to now, the project you completed as an undergraduate, as well as any seminars you have attended or wrote. that you have ever published.
   • For example, you might say things like, “When I was in college, I attended research conferences on university campuses and even attended local seminars. Then, during my master's training, I had an article that was adopted by Biology Quarterly and presented at a national workshop ”.
   • You can also refer to specific courses you have studied, professors who directed your work, and research that you have done during your bachelor's and master's programs.

4. 

   Explain how you would like to contribute. After talking about what you have done so far, you need to state what you hope to do in the future. What is your goal? What do you want to contribute to the subject?
   • For example, you could say things like, "I hope to develop a new way of growing corn."

5. 

   Mention the professor you want to work with and explain why. It is also important to mention professors you wish to work with. Some professors may even have a say in whether or not you will be accepted for admission, so help familiarize yourself with their research.
   • Refer to each professor's profile on the school home page.You should also consider consulting the publications of one of these professors, such as articles or books.
   • Try saying, "I hope to work with Professor Jones because she and I both have a common interest in botany."

6. 

   Use examples to make your point clear. For each section of your personal essay, it is important to illustrate what you present. For example, don't say, “I will be devoted to this subject,” but should demonstrate by providing proof of your involvement in that subject over the years. Or, if you talk about a professor that you admire, be specific about why. Write a quote from this professor's essay or a specific achievement you admire.
   • Be sure to include illustrative examples throughout your essay.
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Part 4 of 4: Application for admission

1. 

   Complete each section of the application form. Most universities ask you to provide basic information using the online application form. This information may include several points, such as name, address, school attended, etc. Complete this section of the application form before doing some other work.
   • Some schools also require you to attach a letter of recommendation via an online system. You need to send in the email address of the referrer so that they can access this system.

2. 

   Prepare relevant documents included in the email. Your application file will include some related documents, such as your personal essay, original transcript, writing sample, or some other required documents. Collect this document and put it in the folder. Make sure you take plenty of time to submit your resume so that they arrive ahead of time.
   • Write the address on the file. Be sure to double-check the address of a binder to make sure it got there.
   • Pay for the postage. International postage can be a bit expensive, so reserve some money to cover the fee. Pay the postage for each binder and submit them.

3. 

   
   
   Wait for a reply. Waiting for feedback from the school can be the most difficult part of the process. The master's admissions committee may take weeks or even months to make a decision. Some schools may notify successful or declining candidates via email and by hand, so be sure to keep an eye on both of your mailboxes. advertisement

Advice

• Even if the university is unable to offer you direct funding or scholarships, there are other opportunities for you to earn extra income while studying here, such as a research assistant. Look for this before turning down the opportunity for a university you might want to join.
• Obtaining some kind of research or work experience in the field in which you want to apply will significantly improve your chances of admission.
• Once you've done everything, don't forget to thank everyone who helped you, especially the promoter who wrote your recommendation letter.

Warning

• Your address should be consistent - no abbreviations or descriptions of multiple addresses should be used. This will make it difficult for the graduate office to organize the documents.
• Use a reliable courier service to send college applications - like FedEx, DHL, UPS, and more. Do not use a service where you cannot track your profile.