"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity." - Louis Pasteur
You don't need to be a genius to earn a Ph.D. (although it doesn't hurt). But nobody finishes a dissertation without being tenacious. A dissertation usually takes a few years to complete. This can be a culture shock to former undergraduates who have never worked on a project that lasted longer than one quarter or semester (at the end of which, whatever the state of the project, one declares victory and then goes home). No one can tell you in advance exactly how long the dissertation will take, so it's hard to see where the "end of the road" lies. You will encounter unexpected problems and obstacles that can add months or years to the project. It's very easy to become depressed and unmotivated about going on. If you are not tenacious about working on the dissertation, you won't finish.
Tenacity means sticking with things even when you get depressed or when things aren't going well. For example, I did not enjoy my first year of graduate school. I didn't tell anyone this until after leaving UNC. I was not on a project and was focused on taking classes, some of which I didn't do all that well in. I didn't feel a part of the Department, and really wondered whether or not I fit in. Still, I stuck with it and when summer rolled around and I got a job in the Department, I became much more involved in research and enjoyed graduate school much more. Part of earning a Ph.D. is building a "thick skin" so you are not so fragile that you will give up at the first sign on any difficulties.
One lesson I learned as a graduate student is the best way to finish the dissertation is to do something every day that gets you closer to being done. If all you have left is writing, then write part of the dissertation every day. If you still have research to do, then do part of it every day. Don't just do it when you are "in the mood" or feeling productive. This level of discipline will keep you going through the good times and the bad and will ensure that you finish.
Here are 14 must-do steps if you wish to clear your GRE and TOEFL and study in U.S (The Land Of Opportunities). If you are an aspirant then read on...
1. Passport : A valid passport serves as a primary means of identification to gain admission to your test centre and to your dream country. If you don't have a passport then apply for one as soon as possible, as you cannot appear for the GRE or TOEFL without it, but remember you can register for exams without a passport.
2. GRE Registration : Register for the GRE at least three months in advance to be assured of obtaining your preferred testing date.
3. TOEFL Registration : International students who haven't studied in a country where English is the primary language, have to appear for the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to the GRE.
4. Preparation : Preparation for the GRE should begin at least an year before you plan to appear for the exam. Check out what study material is available to help you prepare for the GRE.
5. GRE : You are expected to arrive at your test centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start of your exam. You are expected to bring the following items with you to the test centre : * Acceptable Identification (Passport + Driving License/College Id Card)* Names of 4 Colleges to which you want ETS to send your scores At the end of your test, you can specify up to 4 colleges to which ETS will send your scores for free. Therefore, before appearing for the exam, prepare a list of your first choice colleges, by anticipating the range of your likely GRE score. ETS charges $15 for every additional college you send your scores to.
6. Choosing Colleges : When preparing a list of colleges to apply to, take into consideration the following factors :* Your Academic grades Your GRE score Reputation of College College's minimum requirements College fees Availability of Financial aid* Location of college Choose about 3 to 4 'dream' colleges, 3 to 4 'average' colleges and another 3 to 4 'safe' colleges. Go through the college websites for information regarding each univ - Colleges
7. Pre-Application : Pre-application involves emailing the colleges of your choice, requesting them to send you the prospectus or application forms by mail. Mention the following in your pre-application letters :* Your name & address Degree sought Undergraduate Academic grades GRE & TOEFL scores* Any additional qualifications that you may haveMany colleges often inform you there and then about your chances of gaining admission into their college. By doing this you can often save the cost of the application fee by knowing before hand which colleges are likely to accept you or not.
8. Transcripts : Request your University to provide you with transcripts of marks obtained for all four years of your undergrad study completed. Make sure that all the copies of your transcripts are attested and certified as true copies of the original. If you are in the final year of the undergraduate studies then send transcripts upto 6th or 7th semester.
9. Financial Documentation : Along with your application, it is required that you attach a letter from your bank indicating sufficient funds to finance your education in the US. It is recommended that your bank certificate show proof of funds amounting to approximately $25,000. - Sample Bank Certificate
10. Recommendation Letters : Try to get about 3 recommendation letters from professors at your undergraduate university who are familiar with your course work. Learn how to write a good recommendation letter by following the tips given here - Recommendation Letters
11. Statement Of Purpose : The Statement of Purpose is often regarded to be the single most important factor, which can decide the outcome of your application. It is a letter addressed to the college you are applying to, stating your reasons for wanting to pursue graduate study, among other things.Your statement of purpose should include the following points :* Reason for pursuing higher studies. Research and academic interests Goal in life Personal strengths and weaknesses Academic and other achievements Related experience / projects undertaken* Reasons for applying to a particular universitySpend as much time as possible over your statement of purpose because it is the only means that you have to actually 'speak' to the college authorities, in order to convince them that you really deserve to be admitted to their University. Refer to the SOP section for detailed information.
12. Application : Send your applications to colleges well ahead of the last date mentioned in their websites. Based on personal experience, We can assure you that the earlier you send your applications, the better your chances are of gaining admission into universities. Also, the earlier you apply, the sooner you get your replies, and so you have more time to decide which college to finally go to. - Sample Application Package
13. Visa : You have to apply for a student VISA to the US. At the time of applying for a VISA, you have to have to prove to the VISA officer that you have sufficient funds to support your study in the U.S., as well as enough reasons for returning to your home country after completion of your education. Find out more about the visa procedure at Visa Information
14. Final Preparation : Contact students who are currently studying at the University you are going to, for information regarding what to expect once you get there. Predeparture Information
