BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

GRADUATE STUDIES IN USA

MASTERS OR PHD

• In USA ‘Graduate studies’ means MS/PhD. After the undergrad studies (bachelor/BSc) if you want to study further- it will be called graduate studies.• So when you will apply to USA, you have to apply

in any programs (department) of graduate studies. • You can apply to Ms/ PhD after completion of your

BSc. Its better to enroll in Ms program in your University at the same time since after application it will take almost a year to get admission.

REQUIREMENTS

• GRE score• TOEFL score (some universities accept IELTS as

well)• Academic background• Publication (optional)• Good research work/ experience• Job experience• Recommendation letter• Statement of purpose• Resume

GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)

• GRE is of paramount importance above all• Try to start GRE preparation from second year• There are three parts in GRE: vocabulary, math,

analytical writing• Vocabulary (word memorizing part of GRE) will

help you in your courses and thesis writing later if you start GRE early• Quantitative part of GRE should be started soon

since many of us struggle with Maths• GRE Big book solve is a must• GRE scores are valid for five years

GRE BOOKS

• Barron’s GRE (word and math good)• Kaplan’s GRE• Nova (math good)• Princeton reviews (analytical writing)• GRE Big Book• Dr. Raju’s website

GRE GUIDE-LINE

• If you think you can not study properly alone, you can go to any coaching centers to get general idea about GRE exam

• These coaching centers will help you memorizing words and solving maths/ mock test

• Saifur’s, AAA (american alumni association, Banani), Arch Academia, Gateway, GED center etc are some coaching centers

• These are helpful but expensive as well. So its better if you take preparation by yourself and just before actual exam check yourself by giving some Mock tests in your preferred coaching centers.

TIPS FOR WORDS

• You have to revise all words you have learnt, before you get into a new word list, otherwise you will forget the old ones• Writing in your own note book or keeping word

cards help• Atleast learn 3500-4000 words• Learn the barron high frequency words carefully• Try to apply new words in your everyday

conversation/ writing. Keep in mind that learning words is not only for GRE exam but also for future life in usa

TIPS FOR MATH

• Make charts for all the formula• Solve Barrons, Nova and big book• Maths are easy but timing is critical, try to do

math as fast as possible• Statistical calculation (mean median mode) is

also included in GRE (along with algebra, trigonometry)

TIPS FOR ANALYTICAL WRITING

• Everybody neglects this part, never practice this before exam and fall into difficulty to write in exam hall• Follow the princeton book for the rules to write

this section• Practice atleast 2-3 times before exam

TOEFL

• This is a language test• It has 4 parts: reading, listening, speaking and

writing• To take this exam you need at least two weeks

preparation (more is better)• Scores are valid for two years (after you took

TOEFL exam you can use this score for admission in next two years, after that your score will be invalid)

BOOKS/CD/GUIDE-LINE

• Generally you don’t need any book or coaching for this• CDs are available in market, these are all practice

tests you can try in your computer• Barrons, Kaplans, longman etc.• Try to practice all four parts• Its possible to do good in this test, however, lack

of practice may ruin your opportunity• In many univs they ask good score (25) in

speaking section of TOEFL

HOW TO REGISTER/SEND SCORE FOR GRE/TOEFL

• Website: www.ETS.org• You have to create account for GRE tests/ TOEFL tests• You will be able to see available test dates in different

centers• Test fee is charged from credit card (so you will need to

manage a credit card)• You can give four names of univs during TOEFL registration,

your scores will be sent there free of cost. If you don’t give names before the exam day, you have to pay $17 per univ to send your scores

• In case of of GRE exam, after the exam you will see an option to send your score in univs. So you have to know 4 univs, Depts, codes where you want to send GRE score. Its free for first 4 univs, later you can send scores to additional univs at the rate of $23

• Best test center is AAA (banani), but you can visit other centers beforehand just to take a look

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

• Good academic background is encouraged• GPA should be minimum 3.0• Its better to understand all the concepts and

basics of every courses

PUBLICATION

• Its not very common to have publication at this stage, however, if you have something, its beneficial

RESEARCH/TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Working in research center maybe helpful to earn research-assistant-ship (RA) in PhD• Teaching experience helps to find teaching-

assistant-ship (TA) in graduate studies• Actually all graduate students are accepted either

as RA or TA in general

RECOMMENDATION LETTER

• You will need three recommendation letters from your supervisor and teachers who directly taught you in your program• You have two options: hard copy from professors

or online recommendation (from USA directly to your professor)• Select those professors who are in good terms

with you (not to mention!)

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

• While applying to any university, you have to submit a statement of purpose • It will contain your interest, why do you want to

do higher studies, why did you select this univ etc• This is to be written in a very good way since it

carries a lot of wait regarding your admission

RESUME

• Every time you apply, try to send a resume whether they ask for it or not• Mention your every information regarding

education, result, passing years, syllabus, thesis/publication title, awards, experiences, extra curricular activities etc. there

SELECTING UNIVERSITIES

• This is very important• Apply for both MS and PhD in same or different department or

universities• Apply to at least 7-10 different ranked univs (some high, some

medium, some low) Try to select it in your field (biological sciences), overall ranking does not reflect its quality in biological sciences

• http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ/state/• http://www.usnews.com/rankings • http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-

schools/top-science-schools/biological-sciences-rankings• http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-

schools/top-science-schools/molecular-biology-rankings

• Its better to apply in microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology and other interdisciplinary programs to increase the chance of getting admission

• Before applying spend time to skim through the individual professors research there, it will help you to get an preliminary idea about each department, if you don’t understand it by only departments name

• Send email to any professor you find interest in. Sometimes professors help to get admission although direct graduate admission from the university is the usual way

• Almost all universities have some quality, so do not bother too much about ranking. Its betters not to prefer too high ranked univ. It may not fulfill their high expectations. Its better to do best in your field wherever you are

• Try to go in USA first, then you can change department/university if you don’t like. Important thing is to go there

• Contact with others who are now in USA to get the real idea about USA

IN SHORT

1. Aim/ determination for higher studies in USA2. Prepare yourself for qualifying exams well3. Play around with USA universities websites to

become familiarized with these4. Write, talk to seniors for suggestion5. Prepare your resume and statement of purpose

and check these with someone6. Manage professors for recommendation letters7. Whatever the GRE score is (unless too low)

APPLY! Admission depends on several factors.