Q&A for How to Apply for a PhD in the US

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What do you look for in a PhD advisor?

Carrie Adkins, PhD
PhD in American History, University of Oregon
Carrie Adkins is the cofounder of NursingClio, an open access, peer-reviewed, collaborative blog that connects historical scholarship to current issues in gender and medicine. She completed her PhD in American History at the University of Oregon in 2013. While completing her PhD, she earned numerous competitive research grants, teaching fellowships, and writing awards.

Carrie Adkins, PhD

PhD in American History, University of Oregon

Expert Answer

Your advisor will impact your job opportunities in academia. You'll want to find an advisor who is committed to helping you in the academic job market, perhaps by allowing you to teach your own classes and publish peer-reviewed articles during your time as a grad student.

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How do you find a job as a professor?

Carrie Adkins, PhD
PhD in American History, University of Oregon
Carrie Adkins is the cofounder of NursingClio, an open access, peer-reviewed, collaborative blog that connects historical scholarship to current issues in gender and medicine. She completed her PhD in American History at the University of Oregon in 2013. While completing her PhD, she earned numerous competitive research grants, teaching fellowships, and writing awards.

Carrie Adkins, PhD

PhD in American History, University of Oregon

Expert Answer

Depending on your field, the academic job market may leave a lot to be desired. If your dream is to land a tenure-track professorship, you'll want to find programs with great track records for that kind of job placement, plus services aimed at helping students craft fantastic job application packages.

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Is it is compulsory to take the GRE and TOEFL even if we are residents in U.S.?

Community Answer

The GRE is compulsory. The TOEFL and IELTS are compulsory only if you are not a native English speaker.

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I completed my MA in English literature at Osmania University in Hyderabad India. Am I eligible for higher studies in the USA?

Community Answer

Probably. Having an MA is a great step in the right direction, but you will need to ensure that you meet the other requirements for your chosen PhD program. Check the website of the university that you hope to attend.

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Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?

Community Answer

Former professors are good people to ask. Remember to ask someone who can evaluate your readiness to do doctoral work. For example, you may want to pick a professor who you had a class with recently or from whom you have taken a few classes.

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What is the minimum GRE score required to apply for a PhD program?

Community Answer

There is not really minimum score. More competitive schools expect higher scores from their applicants, while less competitive schools are willing to take applicants with lower scores. Your best bet is to study hard and get the highest score that you can. Keep in mind that schools will also be looking at your other accomplishments and application materials, such as your SOP, writing sample, and letters of recommendation.

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Is the GRE necessary for admission to a PhD program?

Community Answer

Yes, the GRE is required. The GRE measures your quantitative and verbal reasoning skills, your critical thinking skills, and your analytical writing skills. These abilities are all essential for success in graduate school. If you are worried about the test, give yourself plenty of time to study. You might also consider joining a study group to help you prepare.

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What are transcripts? And are letters of recommendations absolute necessity?

Community Answer

A transcript is a document that shows your overall GPA and grades for every subject you took during the duration of an education program. (undergraduate or masters). Letters of recommendation might not be mandatory in some instances, but it depends on the school. They are also an important tool to gauge a student's past performance and ability to work with people.

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Can I get into grad school with a poor transcript but very good GRE and TOEFL results?

Community Answer

Probably not. The GRE and TOEFL test your language skills, not your overall intelligence or ability to pursue a PhD.

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Question

At what point in my education should I begin applying for the PhD program?

Sudipta Biswas

Community Answer

The best time would be during the last year of the master's degree, though you can take GRE and TOEFL a year before that.

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How long will it take to be admitted in the USA for an Indian student? And is it free? Is it compulsory?

Community Answer

The length of time it takes to get a response for admission varies by the institution. Usually it will take a couple of months. It's definitely not free, no matter what school you choose to attend, but there may be scholarship and grant opportunities to help you. Public universities are much cheaper than private. Whether or not getting a PhD is "compulsory" depends on what career you are aiming for.

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If I do not get research funding, can I work in the city to manage my livelihood?

Community Answer

You're free to work wherever you like, as long as you have the qualifications for the job you're applying for and manage to get the job. Know that the job market is very competitive, and it could take a while to find a job relevant to your field (though there's plenty of low-paying jobs in retail, food service, etc.).

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What should I do if I have not yet taken the TOEFL or IELTS?

Community Answer

If you are not a native English speaker, then you will need to take the TOEFL or the IELTS.

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Question

How important is GPA? Is 14 out of 20 very low to apply for a PhD?

Community Answer

You have to compare the GRE Score in terms of 260-370 scale, where it is absolutely dependent on which field you belong to and which grad school you want to apply to.

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Question

Is it possible to be admitted to a U.S. university without GRE or IELTS?

Community Answer

Some schools do not require GRE. However, it is safe to have one. IELTS is mandatory for any school.

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I have completed my Bachelors degree from India and Masters online from Australia while working in the US. Do I need to obtain educational evaluation for my Bachelors degree or Masters degree?

Community Answer

Yes, you would need to obtain that for both degrees, as they are not American degrees and often operate under separate grading practices.

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Question

What type of visa is required for a foreigner to get a PhD in the USA?

Community Answer

The F1 visa is called the student visa, that's the one you need to obtain.

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