Ep. 2 Ph.D. or no Ph.D.?
Since the day I enrolled at university as a Science undergraduate, becoming a researcher and scientist had been my end goal. However, the process of applying for a Ph.D. and getting started with it has always remained a mystery to me. Even though I had heard of the many success stories of our own undergraduates, I had never been able to grasp the application procedure and the pre-requisites that are required for a Ph.D.
However, thanks to my mentor, I was able to gather lots of information that I myself lacked in this aspect. Even though she was born and raised in the USA and did not know exactly how Sri Lankans need to go through the application process for a postgraduate, the advice and experience she shared were more than enough. Hence, in my blog today, I will share with you, what I learned from my mentor about going for a post-graduate.
Ph.D. or no Ph.D.?
Most of the time when one gets started with a science degree, the end goal may always seem like going for a post-graduate. Some might be forced into that path and it might be too late when realizing that it is not what you truly desire. Hence, applying and getting started with a Ph.D. is a very important decision and commitment that will take 5–6 years or more of one’s life and would determine the career that awaits afterward.
So, how exactly do we realize if we really wish to do a Ph.D. or not?
The best way to arrive at this crucial decision is by engaging in full-time research or in an MSc. soon after completing the degree. It may seem like a waste of time but is a necessity before going ahead with a lifelong commitment which you would not be able to go back on.
An MSc would be ideal for someone who doesn't have a clear-cut idea of the exact research area they want to engage in. Sometimes, having done an MSc would tend to cut down on the time taken for the Ph.D. as well, depending on the program.
When going for a Ph.D. we need to be certain of the exact field we are passionate about since it will determine our future career path. Therefore, engaging in full-time research for roughly a year would be ideal and more appropriate even than an MSc when realizing one’s true passion. It would provide one with hands-on experience and a more clear cut idea of what life in the laboratory would look like for a researcher. Therefore, would be the best way to arrive at the conclusion of Ph.D. or no Ph.D.
Where can one find these post-graduate programs?
Having been a student that received free education throughout life and been used to having everything handed over on a silver platter, going for a Ph.D. would definitely seem like a big hassle. It is definitely a process that is extremely time-consuming and tiring. Once, narrowing down to the pathway we wish to pursue in our higher studies, we need to hunt for Ph.D. programs! There are so many universities all over the world offering a variety of post-graduate programs and therefore, selecting one would be extremely overwhelming, while not having a guarantee you would get it in the end.
As I was informed by my mentor, there are 2 ways of getting into a post-graduate program. Either, one can apply to a program provided by a University or apply directly to a Ph.D. under a specific faculty member. Of course, finding a faculty member who offers a Ph.D. one would love to be involved in would simply seem like a matter of luck. Nevertheless, if one puts in enough hard and time for the process, he/she would be sure to come across something they would love to do.
Hence, rather than waiting until you are done with the degree to look for these post-graduate programs, it would be ideal if one could get started from the final year of the degree itself to start hunting for programs and narrowing them down so that they can get equipped for the application process as soon as possible.
Are there any pre-requisites when applying for a Ph.D?
Of course, you need a bachelor’s degree to go for a Ph.D. but whether you need an MS.c. or an MPhil would be dependent on the program you apply for. Whether we have to do GRE, IELTS, TOEFL would also be dependent on the country and the university we apply to.
One might also wonder if a first class is a necessity when going for a post-graduate program. Good results and exceptional performance in academics in the university would definitely matter when been chosen for a post-graduate, however, it would not be the only requirement. A GPA of 3.5 and above would definitely be more than enough and one doesn’t have to dwell on having the perfect GPA of 4.0/4.0! Even a lesser GPA coupled with an MS.c. or additional qualifications would add up when landing a Ph.D. opportunity.
As per my mentor’s experience, a CV, a personal statement, an online application together with the transcript of the degree, and recommendations from faculty members are necessary when applying for a Ph.D.
So, in my next blog, I look forward to sharing what I learned from my mentor about preparing an attractive CV and personal statement!