GRADUATE STUDIES IN
USA
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
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
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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
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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
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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 teachingassistant-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-graduateschools/top-science-schools/biological-sciences-rankings
• http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduateschools/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 USA
2. Prepare yourself for qualifying exams well
3. Play around with USA universities websites to
become familiarized with these
4. Write, talk to seniors for suggestion
5. Prepare your resume and statement of purpose
and check these with someone
6. Manage professors for recommendation letters
7. Whatever the GRE score is (unless too low) APPLY!
Admission depends on several factors.