Choosing a Field of Study
Choosing a field of study is the starting point of your acedemic endevour. In an ideal world, this would be as simple as 'following your heart'. But in the real world, choosing a field of study may need compromise. The field you choose should facinate you and stimulate you, and motivate you to carry out research in that area for a number of years. But the field should also create opportunities when you are applying for graduate positions post study - oppurtunities in the form of research that you have done, classes you have taken or papers you have published. Even though it is not impossible to chage acedemic tracks, especially from undergraduate to graduate studies, it is always best to be able to show how you are drawn to a particular area of study. Sometimes this also comes down to opportunities, both in terms of scope and future prospects together with available funding. At the end of the day some are successful in finding their dream field of study, and others select the field that offers them the best chance of acceptance.
University Rankings
Rankings are often used by students as a guide to selecting a good university. Some of the well known rankings are done by US News & World Report, and Princeton Review. But rankings are simply one measure to consider when making your college selections. Rankings are based on a finite set of criteria and if these criteria are not in line with your priorities, then they become misleading. For example, even though a college may be highly ranked, it might not have a very good program within your area of interest. Furthermore, it is often difficult to compare rankings between different countries because sets of criteria tend to be biased towards one education system over another. It is typical to look through colleges with rankings in mind as a basic filter, but the ultimate decision should be heavy on the fit between the program and your interest.
Masters Degrees - Coursework or Research
A master's degree usually comes in two different flavors, one involving coursework and the other involving research. They have two different objectives and are suitable for different people depending on their end goal. A master's by coursework is usually taken as an addition to one's qualifications, to help progress their career. A master's in research can be advantageous if your goal is to go on further towards a PhD. Since a PhD will involve carrying out an extensive amount of research, a masters by research will help in learning how to research and publish, as preparation for a more strenuous PhD.
Is the admission process biased (when it comes to foreign applicants)
A discrimination or bias is unlikely. However, there are some disadvantages to being a foreign applicant. First, most universities limit the number of international students they admit, and set aside most of their positions for local students. Second, recommendations play a large part and for students especially in Sri Lanka, the chance to work with a well known professor is limited. Although your recommendations can count, there is less chance for them to stand out. Perhaps most importantly (especially in the current financial climate), there are many more funding opportunities for local students in comparison to foreign applicants. This is not discrimination, but rather is the reality of the process – individual countries are more concerned about their own students as opposed to foreign ones, just as Sri Lankan Universities cater to Sri Lankan students.
Author : Sachi Hemachandra
Publisher : The Daily Mirror (Education)/ The Sunday Observer
Date(s) : 7th January 2010/ 24th October 2010
