ThinkingAboutPhd Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 I'm currently enrolled at a Masters program at a state school in the U.S. (turned down a top 5 program because I didn't want to go straight to Washington - I wanted to get involved in smaller creative projects). My degree is community planning and development and I'm getting involved and plan on working in environmental policy. The program has been well above my expectations so far and I've been presented with great opportunities. So I'm starting to think about a PhD, specifically the DPhil in Geography and the environment at Oxford. I'm wondering if any U.S. residents have attended this program or been accepted. Is it very competitive (I graduated undergrad with a 3.89 w/ honors and my current MA GPA is also 3.89)? What did you write your research proposal on? Was your Masters work directly related to your DPhil research? Are you worried at all about finding work in the U.S. when you are done? Are most people from the U.S. there from top programs? Did you get funding? Anything you can say would be really helpful! I want to do my research in the UK because of the different perspective there on sustainable agriculture and technology. Thank you!
a fragrant plant Posted February 26, 2011 Posted February 26, 2011 (edited) I am not in the School of Geography and the Environment at Oxford but I know some students there. The department is very reputable, rated the first by the RAE (Research Assessment Exercise for UK research) in 2008. I also heard that it's a friendly and dynamic department. Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and it's a prestigous elite university. Studying at Oxford does not guarantee you a job when you graduate, but it will definitely open up lots of opportunities. Admission is selective, but with a 3.89 GPA you have a great chance. This is based on the assumption that you're studying at a decent state-school in the U.S. If you're in a lower ranked school that may be another story. Having said that, I personally think that it's easier to get into Oxford than to the ivies in the U.S. Feel free to PM me if you need advice on the research proposal. Also, I may be able to tell you more about the department and people when I'm Oxford. Edited February 26, 2011 by Peanut
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