SCHOLARSHIP IN USA: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO PH.D. ADMISSION

SCHOLARSHIP IN USA: I’m keeping this post concise for brevity. I’ll address each specific topic in separate posts later.

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE SCHOLARSHIP IN USA?

Why not Pakistan? A University in the United States with a QS ranking of 1600 has better research facilities compared to a 300-ranked University in Pakistan. I was once a student at a top-ranked University in Pakistan and now in the US, so I know that from experience.

You don’t need an MS/MPhil to apply for a Ph.D. in the USA. You can apply directly after your bachelor’s and save 2 years of your life.

AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP IN USA

2500$/month scholarship. With that amount, you can own a car within 6 months after coming to the US. You will have your private room in a central air-conditioned apartment with a fridge, Dishwasher, Baking, and microwave oven. You will have an iPhone within 2 months

After all the above expenses, you can save 1-2 Lac/month and send it to your family. If you share your room and live without a car, you can even hold 4 Lac a month

Valuable degree with a lot of future opportunities across the globe.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of 3.0, having master’s Degree is a + but not required.

• IELTS/TOEFL (6.5 bands or 80+)
• An excellent CV (Europass)
• A well-written statement of purpose

You don’t need a research paper. Trust me, only 10-20% of students admitted to US universities have publications. Having a publication is a +, though

The best time to start looking for scholarships is the 7th Semester of the bachelor’s and the 3rd semester of the Master’s.

TOTAL EXPENSES

• Roughly 4-5 lac (You can send that back to your family within 2 months of coming to the USA)
• 55k for IELTS/TOEFL
• Application fee for 5 universities 50-70k
• 150k visa application fee
• 150-200k for air ticket

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

You don’t need any acceptance; go to QS global ranking and find 5 universities that suit your profile. Approval from a professor can increase your chances of admission, though (I will explain the email template and details in a separate post later). Don’t select highly-ranked universities.

Fill out the online application and pay the fee. If you have a CGPA of 3.5+ and apply to 5 universities, you will get an offer letter of 95%

THE BEST TIME TO APPLY

• For fall admissions October-December
• For spring February-April

VISA PROCESS for SCHOLARSHIP IN USA

Once you get an offer letter, go to the US embassy website and complete the application form. It is straightforward to understand, and there is a wealth of instructional content available on YouTube. Pay the application fee in the bank and schedule your interview.

The visa approval rate is very high (90%+) with a fully funded scholarship. Most likely, your visa will be approved on the spot or go through a 15-day to 6-month administrative process, but eventually, it will be approved, as per my previous experience.

Once you get your visa, book a flight for a date no more than 30 days before the start of your classes.

That’s all it takes to be a Ph.D. student in USA. 5 Lac and 6 months of effort can change your future.

I am more than happy to answer genuine questions about scholarship in USA if you have any. Stay in touch with me in the Comment Box!

FAQs

Q#1: What about the GMAT and GRE? Not required for scholarship in USA?

Ans: For. Scholarship in USA, every department has its admission policy. Not all schools require GRE/MAT.

Q#2: Having a CGPA of 3.3, what ranking is suitable to apply?

Ans: Depends on other things as well…500-1000.

Q#3: Can we do a job along with it?

Ans: In the US, if you’re on an F-1 visa for the first year, you can’t work outside campus.

Secondly, the stipend amount you will get is in return for the 20 hours of research/administrative duties you’ll be doing.

So legally, you’ll have no time to work outside campus.

Thirdly, greed kills. The USA can deport you anytime if you are caught working illegally outside campus.

Q#4: Will the university give us a conditional offer letter if we tell them we will attempt IELTS soon???

Ans: Yes.

Q#5: Is any bank statement needed?

Ans: Not needed if you have a fully funded scholarship in USA.