Storebought
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Posts: 4,326
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« on: March 09, 2015, 12:20:36 AM » |
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« edited: March 09, 2015, 12:26:26 AM by Storebought »
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I was a former PhD student in the sciences (chemistry), so I can only offer general advice about grad school.
As a PhD student, you will generally spend the first year or two taking courses, possibly teaching (how good is your spoken English?), and then taking a qualifying exam. After that, you're primary effort will be spent researching, writing, and defending your thesis.
You mentioned something about a fraternity -- put that idea to rest. Joining a social fraternity is out of the question as a graduate student. You can, however, join a scholastic honor society. Phi Beta Kappa is the famous one; in political science, Phi Sigma Alpha is the only recognized one. In any case, a leadership role in an honor society will look good on a CV.
If you can win a scholarship, fellowship, or a grant (US or European), get that too. That looks even better on a CV.
But that is getting a bit ahead of oneself. Right now, your primary motivation -- past fulfilling entrance requirements -- should be finding a well-ranked adviser (status matters) whose research interests best match yours. The quality of the department is secondary (it's not as important as undergraduate, but, still, higher ranked departments have more rigorous programs), and quality of life in town is the third (you will spend four or five years in the place).
A personal question you don't need to answer: Why specifically an American university? What do they offer that UK or Canadian universities don't?
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