GALIB Goes For PH.D

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A Lecture on “The Process and Preparation for Admission in USA PhD

Program”

Syed Galib Sultan


PhD student, Entering class of 2008
Washington University in Saint Louis

Objective of the Lecture

To provide a one-stop service regarding the information about the whole admission
process in PhD program

Steps towards USA PhD admission

► BSS, MSS
► Standardized Tests
 GRE
 TOFEL
► Application Package
 Recommendation
 Essay
 Online Application
► VISA

BSS, MSS

► First class is preferred. But percentile ranking in class is more important.


► Utilize the CGPA conversion provided by the department (minimum
requirement= 3.5)
► Initiate the process of issuing the official transcript from register building as soon
as possible.

GRE
► Fix time to take GRE
► Pay GRE fees
► Choose 4 schools
► Buy appropriate books (NOVA, Barron’s,
Big Book, Arco’s Real GRE Essays)
► Do lots, lots and lots of maths
► Memorize at least 3500 words
► Improve your timing

1
TOEFL

► A language skill test which can be replaced by IELTS in some universities.


► Score reports can be sent to 5 schools for free.
► Spoken section is the most tricky one and most important (TAship requirement,
eg- U Washington Seattle)

Recommendation

► Usually recommendation written by a faculty who has publications in “blue


ribbon journals” or equivalent worth the most.
► Second preference is those who have a PhD from USA.
► But make sure that you have at least one recommendation from a faculty who has
taught you one of the core courses.
► A good recommendation by “not-so-known” or “totally unknown” faculty is
always preferred than a bad or a moderate recommendation by a “popular”
faculty.
Essay (widely known as Statement of Purpose or SOP)

► Traditional Essay
► Theme Based Essay
► Give special emphasis on the field your school specializes on.
► Highlight your personal details which you think make you unique from rest of the
application pool.
► Why Economics? Why PhD? Why you? Why USA? Why “X” university?

Essay (widely known as Statement of Purpose or SOP) Contd.

► Best Way: Show that you are intrigued with a specific problem, you can think
critically on the basis of what you have learnt and most importantly you are the
right person to work on it. While doing so, your personality and writing skill
should be reflected as well.
► Do not confuse essay with resume. Resume tells people what you do. And SOP
should tell people why you do it.

Online Application

► Make arrangement for an international credit card.


► Make sure that your referee is comfortable with giving online recommendation.
► Keep in constant touch with your Graduate coordinator/secretary regarding the
correction and quarries. (OSU example)
► The information in application must be in coherence with those in your passport.

2
Arrangement of Application Package

► A letter-head
► Official Transcript in a sealed envelope
► 3 recommendation letters in sealed envelops. Keep the supplementary
recommendation form in the same envelop.
► SOP
► Your Resume
► Photocopy of GRE, TOEFL score report.
► A syllabus booklet (attested by Chairman)

Things you must notice

► Usually application should be sent in two different addresses- Graduate office and
Program office.
► Look for special criteria (eg. UC Davis, UC Riverside, SIC, Brown)
► Deadlines.
► Additional score report of TOEFL, GRE.
► Sometimes school requires that the transcript should be sent directly by register
office (U Kentucky)
Postal Information

► Estimate your possible postal cost


► FEDEX is the fastest and costliest (2 days).
► DHL, UPS are the costly alternatives but delivers within 3-4 days.
► GPO can actually send the application package within 10 days!!! The least costly
option.

VISA

► Valid Passport
► I-20/ SEVIS Fee Receipt
► Offer letter
► Standardized GRE/TOEFL score report sheet
► Financial Statement
► Birth Certificate (optional)
► Police Clearance certificate (optional)
► Letter from an influential official (optional)

3
Choosing Universities

► Ambitious
► Hopeful
► Safety
► Give special preference to those where students from DU has already enrolled or
passed in recent years
► Choose specialized Dept. as your Safety.

To find Information about Economics Dept. in different universities

► log on http://edirc.repec.org/. Click Jump to the USA listings


► http://edirc.repec.org/usa.html
► http://www.econphd.net/

My personal Features

► First class 5th (ranking percentile 3.73, CGPA 3.83)


► GRE
► Quantitative : 780 (90%)
► Verbal : 560 (76 %)
► Writing : 5 (73%)
► TOEFL
► Writing : 28
► Reading : 28
► Listening : 28
► Spoken : 23

My personal Features Contd.

► Recommendation by head of the department, one core course teacher and one
applied course.
► Attend SAESM twice.
► Wrote three papers in different occasions.
► Worked as TA in NSU.
► Worked as RA in BIDS.
► Worked as a surveyor in UNDP
► MSS student

4
Why I think I got into 6 places

► All the scores were well above the screening requirement.


► Three strong recommendation covering multiple dimensions.
► Good Essay
► Still a student

Total Cost Estimate

Fixed Cost:
GRE fee: $170
TOEFL fee: $150
Department Transcript Fee: Tk. 300
Register Building Transcript Fee: Tk 500 (normal)
Tk. 1000 (Urgent)
VISA Fee: $130 + service charge (Tk. 500)
SEVIS Fee: $100
Airfare: Tk. 70000-80000

Total Cost Estimate

Variable cost:
University Admission Fees: $50-60
Additional GRE Score report fee: $15 + $6
Additional TOEFL Score report fee: $17
Register Office Transcript: Tk. 500/1000 (plus speed money!!)
Departmental Transcript: Tk. 50
Postal Cost: Tk. 800-1800

Conclusion

► Think About the opportunity cost.


► Evaluate your passion and dedication to Economics.
► Think where do you want to see yourself in future.
► Think about the work load you will face in PhD.

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