PhD Programmes in the US

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PhD

Programmes

_Programmes

in the US

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• Promoting peace and cultural understanding through educational exchange

• Awards for postgraduate study and research in the US and UK

• Fulbright Advisory Service: – Website

– Resource Library – Events

– Enquiries

US-UK Fulbright Commission:

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Why Study in the US?

• Wide range of universities on offer

• Funding opportunities, many of which allow students to gain teaching and research experience

• Have the flexibility to explore your academic interests • Internationalise and strengthen your CV

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Why Study in the US?

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Why Study in the US?

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Why Study in the US?

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Notes on Terminology:

Postgraduate study Graduate study Course Degree program First-degree Undergraduate study State-funded Public Module University UK Class, course

College, university, institute, school

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Timeline:

•Begin study in the US! --Aug. / Sept. Summer after 3rd Year Spring of 3rd Year

Late Autumn / Winter of 3rd Year

Beginning of 3rd Year

Spring / Summer - End of 2nd Year

Typical Timeframe

•Receive admissions decisions 4-7

Months

•Finalise your selection of 4-6 universities •Register for admissions exams

•Begin admissions and funding applications 10-12

Months

•Submit admissions applications •Submit funding applications 8-10

Months

•Notify universities •Apply for your visa

•Attend a Pre-Departure Seminar 1-3

Months

•Learn about US higher education and application process •Begin choosing universities

•May 2009 - Apply for a Fulbright Award 1 – 1 ½

Years

Notes Time Before

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Overview of US Higher Education:

• Key differences between the US and UK:

– No pure research degrees

– Coursework expressed in credits or required courses – No set fees

• Type of degree programmes:

– Academic/research or professional – Doctoral degree structures:

• 2 + 2/3 where you initially apply for the Master’s programme

• Apply directly for a PhD but have the option for a terminal Master’s • If you already have a Master’s – ask the department

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Choosing a Degree Programme:

• Type of degree programme:

– Master’s: Academic/research vs. professional – Doctoral

– Joint degree programme

– Non-degree seeking student status

• Suitability of the department - the ‘academic fit’:

– Faculty expertise

– Electives and concentrations – Size and atmosphere

– Relationships between students and faculty

– Additional opportunities for research, teaching and conference attendance

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Choosing a Degree Programme:

• Public vs. private • Location

– Centres of excellence for certain fields – Cost of living

– Urban, suburban or rural – Cultural differences

– Weather and climate

– Proximity to public transport / airports • Extracurricular opportunities

• Competitiveness of admission

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Resources for Choosing a Degree

Programme:

• Print resources at the Fulbright Resource Library and regional centres • Online university search engines – linked from our website

• US News & World Reports rankings

• Talk with lecturers, specialists in your field, etc.

• Publications in your field – who’s doing work in the US?

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Source: NCES

Cost of Attendance:

• Tuition and fees can vary significantly between universities and even degree programmes

• May be a set semester/yearly rate or calculated on a per-credit basis • Factor in cost of living, books and personal expenses = $8,500

-$10,000

• Average cost of attendance:

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Sources of Funding:

• Personal/family funds

• US universities

– Fellowships – Assistantships – Application procedures

• External funding bodies

– Types of funding bodies – Application procedures

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Choosing Based on Funding Issues

• Balancing act that will require flexibility and effort on your

part

• For example:

– Living in the Midwest or South, or a rural area = lower cost of living

– Choosing a university at which you are a top student = better

chances of receiving additional university funding through the IIE placement process

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Funding Resources:

• US universities’ website

• Online scholarship searches:

– www.fundingusstudy.org – www.iefa.org

– www.edupass.org/finaid – www.globalgrant.com

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Timeline:

Beginning of 3rd Year Spring / Summer - End

of 2nd Year

Months

Years

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Admissions Exams:

• GRE - Most Master’s programmes, including the LLM

• GMAT - MBA programmes

• LSAT - JD programmes

• MCAT - MD programmes

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Timeline:

of 2nd Year

Months

Years

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Admissions Applications:

• Submit an application to each university

• Will follow a similar format:

– Application form

– Admissions exam scores – Transcript

– Personal statement

– 2-3 recommendation letters – CV

– Application fee

– Interview (for MBA) or audition (for the Arts)

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Selection Criteria:

• Academics

– Degree results - Minimum 2:2 undergraduate results – Admissions exam results

• ‘Academic fit’ – As discussed in ‘choosing’ slide, compelling reasons for:

– pursuing that particular degree programme at that institution – how it will help you achieve your future goals

– For UK students - why you’re interested in studying in the US

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Approximate Grade Conversions:

C (2.00) Pass B (3.00) 2:2 C+ (2.30) Third Class Honours

A-/B+ (3.33 – 3.67) A (4.00)

US

2:1

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Recommendations:

• Ask someone who knows you well, both in and out of the classroom • Consider meeting with your referee to discuss letter

• Make sure referee is aware of deadlines and paperwork to complete • Letter should be a marketing tool for you as an applicant

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Personal Statements:

• Strong personal statements set your application apart

• Illustrate your motivations for the subject you’ll study – quote or anecdote

• Why me? – connect the dots between your CV and transcript – academic background

– work/research experience

– leadership or extracurricular involvement, etc.

• Why here? – your academic fit with the institution – reasons for selecting the university/scholarship programme

– what academic work with the department’s facilities, faculty or course offerings support

• Why now?

– your current and long-term professional/research interests and goals and ways in which the university/scholarship programme will help you achieve these goals

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Timeline:

of 2nd Year

Months

Years

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Visas:

• F-1 Student Visa or J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa (Fulbright and other government-sponsored programmes)

• Generally, straightforward process in the UK:

– Receive your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) from the US university – Complete SEVIS application (I-901) and pay fee ($200) online – Complete visa application and pay fee ($131) online

– Schedule an interview at the US Embassy in London

• Refer to US Embassy for visa enquiries:

– http://london.usembassy.gov

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Fulbright Awards:

“The Fulbright Commission aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and

friendship.”

- Senator J William Fulbright

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• Significant contribution toward tuition fees and maintenance for at least the first year of study

• Application support and university placement

• Recognition of the Fulbright name during admissions process and beyond • Visa processing, a comprehensive 2-3 day orientation and support and

enrichment events whilst in the US

• Membership to extensive alumni network (www.BFSA.org)

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• UK citizenship

• Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) from any university

• May not hold US citizenship, be a dual citizen, hold a green card, or reside in the US at time of application

• Preference given to candidates who have not had extensive recent experience in the US

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Successful Applicants:

• Are well-rounded

• Have demonstrated academic excellence

• Have shown leadership skills and initiative and have been active inside the classroom/lab as well as outside

• Possess a curiosity for the US and American culture

• Serve as good ambassadors for the Fulbright Commission and for the UK in the US

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• All categories (except Harvard MBA Award):

– Application available online at www.fulbright.co.uk from February 2010 – Components:

• Application form • Personal statement • Research statement

• Transcript / confirmation of degree results • CV

– Deadline: 31 May 2010 for study commencing in 2011-12 • Harvard MBA Award:

– Application available online at www.fulbright.co.uk from November 2009 – Deadline: April 2010 (for study from 2010-11)

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