Nimna Ranatunga graduated in 2008 with a biology major and chemistry minor from Concordia College Moorhead, Minnesota, USA. She is now reading for her PhD in the Molecular and Computational Biology Department at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. In this article Nimna reviews the process she went through when she applied to the PhD program.
Factors to consider when applying
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While short listing labs that are of interest, students should contact professors and ask about opportunities and research projects in their lab. I did this during my application process and showed interest in their work. Not only did I contact my current supervisor, but all the other universities I applied to! Building personal communication helps to secure an interview and in many programs, the faculty has an input in selecting graduate students. It is important to pick the “right” professor since if you are planning to do a PhD, for instance, you will be there for 5-6 years! The reputation of their work will take you a long way (even after you graduate!) and it will be an added advantage if your professor is well known in your field of research. This can be determined by the annual number of publications and by the depth of their research.
Try to pick a professor who is well funded so that it does not become a necessity for you to be a TA (teaching assistant) for a means of funding your thesis. Although teaching is a rewarding experience, it does take a lot of time off from lab work.
If you are not sure about what program or field to apply, it is recommended to do a masters degree since it is shorter in duration and there might be an option of doing a course based (non thesis) masters. However, in the US, masters degrees are usually not funded whereas a PhD is fully funded.
Graduate studies application process
Most graduate applications are due by mid December through January. The application package includes transcripts from universities and/or colleges you have attended, GRE scores, TOEFL (if your BSc was done in a country where English was not the primary language), a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation (usually 3 from faculty). As an undergraduate student, I started preparing my application quite early during my senior year. It took about four months to take the exams and complete the applications since I was taking regular classes to complete my degree at the same time.
I did the GRE general test and Biology subject test. GRE scores are important since it is the only standardized exam that the admission committee has to gauge the student’s capabilities since academic grades differ between colleges and universities. Most of the time, subject test is not necessary though some universities and departments require it. Also if a student feels that they have not done too well in a certain biology course or do not have the expected grades, if
you perform well in the standardised subject test it can cover up the mediocre grades. Letters of recommendation carry a lot of weight. It is very important to have a letter from a professor with whom you have worked with since apart from your academic strengths, they will be able to discuss your work ethics and capabilities as a researcher which is definitely important when working in a lab.
Most importantly I feel that you need to have an amazing Statement of Purpose (SOP) or essay since this is the only way that you can “speak” to the admission committee. Students should start working on it early in the application process and spend the time to perfect it. The SOP should show your interest and passion for the research lab you’re applying to and why you are interested in the program. You should aim to link this with your personal research experience during your BSc, such as a final year project course. In graduate school you will basically be independently working on your own ideas and projects. There will be expectations and deadlines to meet, and few people to train you in the lab. By having research experience you will show the committee that you are capable of handling it on your own. This is especially important if you are applying to a PhD program. If you have a master’s degree, it will be an added advantage since it shows that you have done a thesis based research project.
Graduate experience at USC, Los Angeles, USA
I am currently in the third year of my PhD program in the Molecular and Computational Biology Department at University of Southern California. My thesis involves the study of a specific group of replication proteins that are important during the process of DNA replication. We are looking at how they are involved in replication fork stability and how mutations in these could potentially lead to genomic instability. We use the model organism fission yeast, S. Pombe, to study different questions in the lab.
On average the program is 5.5 years. But this is based on how much and how fast you can produce data in relation to your thesis. Most students graduate in 6 years. The first year consists mainly of rotation in 3 different labs to allow students to get an idea about various research areas and get a feel of how labs function. It was during this process that I was able to identify a project that I was interested in working. It gave me hands on exposure to different
techniques that I had not experienced before and also to get a flavour of different projects. Research work can be frustrating due to the unpredictable nature and at times, it can take one week to 6-8 months to get an experiment to work! You have to stay focused and develop a positive attitude. Once you think about the goal you are driving towards, and how the research you are doing can contribute to the field and mankind at large, it brings a deep sense of satisfaction. It energises you to keep going despite the numerous roadblocks you face.
In addition to the research work, it is a requirement in my Department for all graduate students to TA (ie, work as a teaching assistant) for two semesters. It is an experience I truly enjoyed.
My thesis is fully funded through grants from my supervisor (the principal investigator). You can also apply to different scholarships that are available at the university but this is not necessary for a PhD program since you will be paid a stipend on a monthly basis.
At this point, my hope is to do a post doctorate after I graduate or to work in the industry. Students can do post doctorates at a university, research institutes or pharmaceutical companies. In order to be selected for a post doctorate, you will be judged by the quality of your research work during PhD, reputation of your professor and lab, and publications, among other things. At least four years of post doctorate experience is necessary if you are interested in going into academia, becoming a professor and starting your own lab.
Life in Los Angeles
In the USA, each city and state has a variety of things to offer and I have been fortunate to experience the differences. I did my undergraduate studies at a liberal arts college located in a relatively quiet and small town, in Minnesota. I have fond memories of long winters and piles of snow, which after two years or so can turn out to be a tiring experience! I am now doing my PhD in Los Angeles, California, which is a densely populated city always bustling with activity.
There are no winters or extreme weather conditions in California.
Big cities have good public transportation systems. Most universities have their own shuttle
buses that travel within the campus and often take students to major centralized shopping malls and other buildings. Some universities offer discounted bus passes or students can travel for free using their student card.
Cost of living in USA depends on where you live. Generally major cities along the west coast (such as Los Angeles and San Francisco) and along the east coast (such as Washington and New York) are high in cost of living. It is relatively cheaper in the mid west unless you are living in a major city. There is graduate housing in almost all the universities which could be either located on campus or a little bit off campus but the property is still owned and functions through the campus housing office. On campus residence is often expensive compared to off campus but there are cities where it is not a huge difference. Also shared accommodation could bring down the cost considerably.
Author : Nimna Ranatunga
Publisher : The Sunday Observer (in 2 parts)
Date(s) : 2nd and 9th January 2011
