PHD

[Mauro86 0]

Hi to you all.

 

I'm valuating the possibility to do a PHD in the US, but I would like to know some things from you about it:

 

1 - Is it possible to do a PHD in a different field from that of my degree?

2 - I wouldn't know who to ask for three letters of raccomandations... I got my degree 2 years ago, so...

3 - Is there a site where I could find out a PHD that is TOTALLY FUND? I mean from the first day to the last one...

4 - How to do for housing? Will the university pay for it? Will they find a house for me?

5 - Is it possible to simultaneously do some other things in addition to the PHD? I like writing... so, I would consider the possibility to publish a book. And I like acting... Could I enroll in some acting school and (possibily...) appearing in some movie?

6 - In the end... I'm on time? When does a PHD start?

 

Thank you for you patience!!!

[Roel 7,191]

Studying for free?  University giving student's houses? Ability to do side jobs? All that with I assume only a student visa? 

 

Are you sure you're talking about US education system?

Edited June 28, 2018 by Roel

[GreatDane 366]

Actually, Many universities fully fund their doctoral students. Full funding normally includes full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to six years a student is in the doctoral program. In most cases, doctoral students are expected to serve as graduate teaching or research assistants in exchange for the awards. This responsibility is typically complementary to your PhD research and provides students with teaching experience. That being said, doctorate programs are extremely competitive and hard to get into meaning a change in fields is possible, but will make getting into a program without any field experience difficult. 

[jskibo 588]

Just to be clear here:

 

You want to get a Visa for studying, have someone pay for your PHD, house you and maybe appear in a movie or two while you're at it?

 

I'd start by applying for PHd programs you're interested in and see if they accept you, as well as what tuition assistance they may offer.  Highly doubt you'll get a full free ride to include housing and tuition so be prepared to have quite a bit of funds.

 

As for movies, avoid the weinstein group when applying for roles.....

[GreatDane 366]

And no, F1 visa holders cannot work off-campus. That includes working as an actor. 

[arken 4,197]

Funding for your PHD depends on your qualification, what you want to do for your PHD and which university you get enrolled in. 

 

Look into the universities website and the research being done by the professors of the university. If something interests you for your PHD, you can apply in that university for which you’ll need TOEFL (if not from a primarily English speaking country) and GRE scores. If you are accepted in that college based on your credentials n qualification, you can contact the professors with your interest in their research. If any professor likes your credential, he/she may provide you full or partial research assistantship. Usually if you get full research assistantship, you get around 25-30K or more a year for helping professor in the ressarch which will also be your PHD course and you don’t have to pay tution. Living expenses would be yours. 

[Mauro86 0]

Ahah, don't make fun of me! I don't know these things very well...

 

Honestly, I am the first one to know that for me it would be very difficult to get into this way... That's because I have no previous teaching experience. Besides, Asking for a PHD totally fund I don't think it's a shame...

I love doing many things, so I asked if it would have been possible.

[Mauro86 0]

5 minutes ago, arken said:

Living expenses would be yours. 

So they are not covered in anyway?

 

Doing a PHD not totally fund for me is almost impossible...

[Going through 5,668]

Last year it seemed you were trying to get a work visa to hopefully audition/appear in movies...no luck with that?

[Roel 7,191]

Well no one said education in US is cheap. Why do you think so many Americans are deep in students debt? Same reason why international student needs to shows proofs that they are financialy capable to fund their studiest/housing/life in the US. 

[Mauro86 0]

4 minutes ago, Going through said:

Last year it seemed you were trying to get a work visa to hopefully audition/appear in movies...no luck with that?

I don't know why you have to laugh on me about that... Yes, no luck with that. And then? I would like to find a LEGAL way to go to the US... You did the same, so you should understand people like me, instead making fun of them...

Edited June 28, 2018 by Mauro86

[Coco8 1,039]

49 minutes ago, Mauro86 said:

Hi to you all.

 

I'm valuating the possibility to do a PHD in the US, but I would like to know some things from you about it:

 

1 - Is it possible to do a PHD in a different field from that of my degree?

2 - I wouldn't know who to ask for three letters of raccomandations... I got my degree 2 years ago, so...

3 - Is there a site where I could find out a PHD that is TOTALLY FUND? I mean from the first day to the last one...

4 - How to do for housing? Will the university pay for it? Will they find a house for me?

5 - Is it possible to simultaneously do some other things in addition to the PHD? I like writing... so, I would consider the possibility to publish a book. And I like acting... Could I enroll in some acting school and (possibily...) appearing in some movie?

6 - In the end... I'm on time? When does a PHD start?

 

Thank you for you patience!!!

 

1- Yes. That is not dependent on the visa but whether you get admitted to the PhD program. A different field but the same area is more likely than a totally different field (e.g. you studied Literature and you want to do a PhD in Astronomy, is 0 likely; you studied a social science and want to do a PhD in different social science, very likely) 

 

2- Recommendations have to be asked to professors that know you best and that interacted with you. If you have nobody, maybe do an MA in Italy before applying for a PhD. People that have publications, are known in the field, are better, those with PhD in the US much better. But the key is that they have to know you and write about you specifically and with examples, not general stuff like "very smart".

 

3- Most PhD are fully funded in top 30 schools. However, it can vary by field. Engineering is harder because funding usually comes from a professor's grant and working part-time in their Lab, and you get a tuition waiver from the university. Basically, you get a fellowship to cover living expenses and then, the tuition is waived. 

 

4- You get paid and you find somewhere to live. Some universities have graduate housing and you pay rent. Others, you rent your own place outside of campus. You are a grown up. You have to figure it out.

 

5- A PhD is full-time and it involves taking full-time classes the first 2 or 3 years, at some point you have to take qualifying exams and you get kicked out if you don't pass, you have to do well in classes too or you get kicked out, there are plenty of other requirements that depend on the program. Of course you can have a life, but a PhD is a full-time job. If you think the PhD is a medium to something else and not your goal, then you should not do it. 

 

And no, you cannot work because you are a full-time student. You can do odd jobs on campus, but you won't get approved for that. Usually, the department assigns you to be TA of a class or you can work as an RA for a professor. 

 

You cannot take classes outside of your PhD requirements. The university is not going to pay for your acting class if you are not doing something relevant. 

 

6- No, you are not on time. I think you have no clue about admissions and you have nothing ready. If you get lucky you might get admitted for August 2019, but given your questions it is unlikely.

 

You should post here https://forum.thegradcafe.com/ -- I think you are after the visa, not the PhD.

[Going through 5,668]

19 minutes ago, Mauro86 said:

I don't know why you have to laugh on me about that... Yes, no luck with that. And then? I would like to find a LEGAL way to go to the US... You did the same, so you should understand people like me, instead making fun of them...

I asked a question....where did I make fun of you?

[Mauro86 0]

3 minutes ago, Coco8 said:

 

1- Yes. That is not dependent on the visa but whether you get admitted to the PhD program. A different field but the same area is more likely than a totally different field (e.g. you studied Literature and you want to do a PhD in Astronomy, is 0 likely; you studied a social science and want to do a PhD in different social science, very likely) 

 

2- Recommendations have to be asked to professors that know you best and that interacted with you. If you have nobody, maybe do an MA in Italy before applying for a PhD. People that have publications, are known in the field, are better, those with PhD in the US much better. But the key is that they have to know you and write about you specifically and with examples, not general stuff like "very smart".

 

3- Most PhD are fully funded in top 30 schools. However, it can vary by field. Engineering is harder because funding usually comes from a professor's grant and working part-time in their Lab, and you get a tuition waiver from the university. Basically, you get a fellowship to cover living expenses and then, the tuition is waived. 

 

4- You get paid and you find somewhere to live. Some universities have graduate housing and you pay rent. Others, you rent your own place outside of campus. You are a grown up. You have to figure it out.

 

5- A PhD is full-time and it involves taking full-time classes the first 2 or 3 years, at some point you have to take qualifying exams and you get kicked out if you don't pass, you have to do well in classes too or you get kicked out, there are plenty of other requirements that depend on the program. Of course you can have a life, but a PhD is a full-time job. If you think the PhD is a medium to something else and not your goal, then you should not do it. 

 

And no, you cannot work because you are a full-time student. You can do odd jobs on campus, but you won't get approved for that. Usually, the department assigns you to be TA of a class or you can work as an RA for a professor. 

 

You cannot take classes outside of your PhD requirements. The university is not going to pay for your acting class if you are not doing something relevant. 

 

6- No, you are not on time. I think you have no clue about admissions and you have nothing ready. If you get lucky you might get admitted for August 2019, but given your questions it is unlikely.

 

You should post here https://forum.thegradcafe.com/ -- I think you are after the visa, not the PhD.

Is it late on june? :| Anyway, great answers! Thank you!

1 minute ago, Going through said:

I asked a question....where did I make fun of you?

I had that thinking...

[Going through 5,668]

1 minute ago, Mauro86 said:

I had that thinking...

Well I can't control your mind, but not always prudent to accuse someone of making fun of you just because they asked a question.

Best of luck with the PhD plans.