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Foriegn student applying for a PhD in Chemistry


Steveylee9

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Hi everyone,

 

For a bit of background first:

I am a 21 year old student currently studying a Master’s degree in Forensic and Analytical Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland.

 

I am about to start my final year of university in a little over a month and as a result I have been contemplating a possible PhD outside of Scotland and the UK. My desire is to study in America as i would hopefully, one day like to settle in this country.

 

I am currently looking at a 2:1 degree in my master’s degree - above 60% average across all my courses - which is the second highest possible grade for a British degree. I may be able to push for a 1st if I apply myself. Am not sure what that means in terms of the American grading system.

I have had experience studying abroad and spent a year in France on placement in industry and next year, i will be doing project work in a field of my choice.

 

I should have 3 letters of recommendation: My placement year supervisor, my head of teaching at my university and my eventual project leader next year.

 

With all this information. I am looking for people’s opinions on whether or not I stand a chance in obtaining a PhD in America. Of course this is dependent on which universities I am applying to. The universities I have in mind are, according to the "best universities" shortlist are about mid to upper range, so nothing like Harvard or yale or etc.

 

I have spent a great deal of time looking at deadlines, reading manuals and etc about the universities I have in mind and it has gotten to the stage where i should start writing emails and looking more in-depth into this possibility.

 

Any opinions on this possibility would be very welcome.

 

Thanks in advance

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You might want to earn a good chemistry GRE score for what you want... and pay attention to whether the university is public or private; it is usually harder to get into US public universities than similarly-ranked privates for international students because of the cost of the tuition waivers associated with TA/RA positions.

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Thanks for the response. The whole translation of UK grades into the US equivalent is something which is confusing to say the least. In terms of GRE score I had assumed that this wouldn’t be needed as my course work will be graded to that standard and passed along with the transcripts.

But if it doesn’t suffice, there is a site in Kent doing GRE testing which i guess ill need to undertake.

And thank you for your tips on the private / public note.

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Thanks for the response. The whole translation of UK grades into the US equivalent is something which is confusing to say the least. In terms of GRE score I had assumed that this wouldn’t be needed as my course work will be graded to that standard and passed along with the transcripts.

 

But if it doesn’t suffice, there is a site in Kent doing GRE testing which i guess ill need to undertake.

 

 

And thank you for your tips on the private / public note.

According to this the description you gave of your grades does put them on a pretty high level. If you were a US student I'd say don't bother with the chemistry GRE as your coursework does show competency. To add to that, getting a masters degree should also help show competency. But, US adcoms may have a bias against foreign education, so if it's not a hardship and if you do well on it it may be worthwhile to send the score in.

 

Also, you are aware that undertaking a US PhD means you'd have to effectively redo your masters coursework, right?

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According to this the description you gave of your grades does put them on a pretty high level. If you were a US student I'd say don't bother with the chemistry GRE as your coursework does show competency. To add to that, getting a masters degree should also help show competency. But, US adcoms may have a bias against foreign education, so if it's not a hardship and if you do well on it it may be worthwhile to send the score in.

 

Also, you are aware that undertaking a US PhD means you'd have to effectively redo your masters coursework, right?

 

The last year I have spent industry my older colleagues have given me lots of advice about doing a PhD in America. Most recommend it if i can obtain one. The other half recommended doing a postdoc in the states which i am also thinking about.

 

I understand that an American PhD makes me redo my masters. It's not ideal but I personally feel that the US will have a higher job prospect in later live. If that involves me redoing 1 maybe 2 years of uni to have a better job at the end of it am happy to do so.

 

In terms of the GRE I will talk to my head of teacher about my thought and see what her opinion on the matter is before i get in my car and drive 500 miles south.

 

Thank you, I appreciate the response. It a lot to think about at the moment so i feel it might be best to take a step back and ask more people when i get home from my placement in France.

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