Doing a PhD in the USA

[danielpodo]

Hi all,

New member here. I'm currently gathering as much info as I can with regards to doing a PhD in the USA, particularly in California as to my knowledge there are a number of highly regarded technical institutions there (Caltech, Berkeley, to name a few). I'm mostly interested in doing a something akin to a biotech program (to be specific, I'd like to get into visual prosthesis).

I'd like some first hand opinions on how the application process looks like for a foreign student (I'm a British national, with 2 MSci degrees), as well as what the PhD program in the US looks like. From what I seem to have gathered so far, regarding finances, to be able to earn a living whilst doing a PhD involves being both a research assistant and a teaching assistant? What exactly do these entail?

Thanks in advance

P.s. if this thread is in the wrong section then please move it accordingly.

[GandalfTheGrey]

I would try posting your question in "The Bank" section. There are many active threads there discussing questions similar to your finance question. I wish I could help you, but I don't have any experience that is relevant. I do think that you will get the best answers about teaching and research assistant jobs from the individual schools, since it varies quite a bit. Some schools guarantee all their PhD students in good standing tuition reimbursement, health insurance, and a stipend in exchange for the student working in a lab and teaching a certain number of semesters during their time in school. Other schools pay hourly wages for assistant positions instead of a stipend. Good luck with your applications!

[danielpodo]

Thanks for your reply. I'll be going to the USA next month for a week or so, so I guess I'll have time to visit the universities and ask them directly for some advice! I hope that helps a lot.