ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
1
This document is maintained under the AcadeMix project of Sustainable Education Foundation. The aim of this document is to help Sri Lankan students apply for graduate studies. Current version of the document contains information mainly related to USA graduate schools but most of them are applicable to other countries as well.
2
3
Note : We would like to expand this document in to other countries and other disciplines. If you would like to contribute to this document, please email us at sustainableedufoundation@gmail.com
4
5
Instructions on how to contribute:
- Do not delete existing Topics/Subtopics/Links.
-If you want add a new topic or a subtopic please go ahead and do that. Please mark the new row using the color Blue so one of the managers of this document can decied to make that specific entry permant.
-If you are adding a new link, please add a new row and add that link in the new row.
6
Current ContributorsMohamed Athif, Krishani Perera, Thavarasa Vithusan, Cristian Silva, Akshika Wijesundara
7
8
TopicSubtopicDescriptions/CommentsResource Links
9
10
Introduction
11
Reasons to do a PhD5 Reasons to Study a PhD
12
Why you shouldn't get a PhD
13
Picking a research topicIt is really vital to pick the correct research area for your PhDFive factors to consider when choosing your PhD
14
On choosing the right PhD for you
15
9 things you should consider before embarking on a PhD
16
Picking a UniversityUniversities also play a major role when it comes to the success of your PhDBest graduate schools | Ranking
17
World university rankings
18
Graduate school rankings
19
Picking a SupervisorOne of the most cruitial choices you have to make is your supervisor. Following are few areas that you need to focus;
- Attitude of the supervisor
- Tendency to publish peer-review papers
- Success of past and current students
- Availability of funding
- Impact of supervisors research. (Use Google scholar to find the supervisors research backgound and impact. In order to measure H-index would be a good indicator)		How to choose a good supervisor
20
How to Choose Your PhD Supervisor
21
22
Funding/Opportunities
23
Websites for funding opportunitiesFind a PhD
24
Commonwealth scholarships
25
Full bright Sri Lanka
26
Directly contacting supervisorsYou can directly contact supervisors. In order to find out about supervisors you can
- Read papers of your interest and find the authors
- Follow resarch lab websites to contact lab members
- Your academic staff might have contacts with the lab where they did their PhD		Contacting PhD supervisors
27
How to write an email to a potential PhD supervisor
28
How to write to a prospective PhD or Postdoc supervisor
29
Emailing Future Ph.D. Advisors
30
Directly applying to the UniversityIf you are fairly confident about your application you can directly apply to the UniversityThe gradcafe
31
Contacting SeniorsThis is a tried and tested method as this comes with mentor who can help you with the processScholarX mentoring program
32
Facebook group of Sri Lankan students
33
SL2College
34
OtherTeaching/ Research AssistantshipResearch assistant vs Teaching assistant
35
Resarech assistanship vs teaching assistantship vs graduate research
36
37
Prerequisites
38
Important Test ScoresTest scores needed, can vary depending on the University and the best source of information would be to check the University that you are applying. In general GRE and TOFEL/IELTS are required when you applyGRE
39
TOEFL
40
TOEFL (Speaking/Listening) Youtube
41
Academic CVAcademic CVs are very different to your average job CV. Therefore, it is vital for you to create a new CV suitable for PhD application. Also, Academic CV template could differ from one country to anotherWriting an effective academic CV
42
How to write an academic CV
43
Resumes and CVs
44
Statement of PurposeThis may vary depending on the university/ program/ country. So, there is no generic version. But you can always tailor it to fit your requirement.Twitter thread by Vijay Chidambaram
45
How to Write a Bad Statement for a Computer Science Ph.D. Admissions Application
46
Statement Purpose
47
Powerful statement of purpose
48
Letters of ReccomendationYou can get recommendation letters from your academic staff, supervisors at your intership place etcRequestion letters of recommendation
49
Gradletter
50
Recommendation for graduate school
51
Letter of recommendation
52
OtherApart from the obvious factors having research papers, research experience and a high GPA would help you alot in securing a graduate scholarshipRole of GPA: Before, During, and After Grad School
53
How To Get into Grad School With a Low GPA
54
55
Application Stage
56
Documents requiredDepends on the University
57
Important deadlinesDepends on the University but there are normally two intakes for each year
58
Online application detailsfilling online forms/ mailing transcripts and other documents, paying fees online, How to convert GPA
59
Facing interviewspossible questions to ask, Scholarship foundations, Visa interviewQuestions to ask a potential supervisor before starting your PhD
60
61
Other
62
Other web resourcesWebsites like Gradcafe, Twitter, Redddit and LinkedIn can be a great resourceGradadmissions subreddit
63
Youtube Channel - Chai & Coaching
64
Gradscriptors
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100