Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Post 5: Where should I apply ?

I would say the answer to this question depends on your subject area, financial budget, and your preference for location.

Should I join a consultancy ?
Personally, I would say no. It depends on what you trust more- your research or someone else. There are a lot of blogs/websites out there which will give you good information. If you are prepared to spend some time,  then you will find a lot of information relevant to you. There are social sites as well which connect a lot of prospective students. One good site is Edulix.

Do university rankings matter ?
To a large extent no. But, you don't want to go to an unranked university as well. What matters is how good the university is in your area of interest. The rankings are based on a lot of factors which is probably unrelated to you like the number of undergraduate students, the school funds, undergrad retention rate, etc. Also, the university ranking covers all departments of which only one or two will be relevant to you.

If you say so, why is it not suggested to apply to unranked universities ?
The answer is simple - remember, the world is full of different people. You are in a foreign land and a person of international origin. First thing someone will look at when you apply for a job is your university. The locals will definitely know which university is good for which subject. But a good profile or a well placed connection can offset this.

How many universities should I apply ?
There is no specific number really. I would say at-least two universities which are good for your subject and where you are sure you will get through. Also, remember that all the universities have application fee ranging from $50 to $100 depending on location, so you'll have to be wise and selective here.

Any preferred locations ?
Its easier to find jobs and internships if you are located on the coasts, especially the west coast. But, that doesn't mean that its difficult to find a job if you are elsewhere. It all depends on you!. It's important to look at the student cost of living in your place of study. Remember, the cost of living for a student will be lower than that for a full-time worker.

Any suggestions ?
If you find a school that is good for your subject and doesn't have a lot of PhD students, its probably the most ideal place for you. This means you have more chances of finding some sort of funding. Funding in the form of  TA/RA (Teaching Assistantship/ Research Assistantship) is going to cover up most of your tuition expenses and depending on the place you will end up saving some as well. I also suggest you try to find a place where you will get a chance to interact with the locals.







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