3 Reasons Why Indian Students Want To Get A Ph.D. In The USA

The USA is not only the biggest and most popular destination for Ph.D. study abroad but also one of the most distinct ones. The approach of the US to postgraduate study is fundamentally different from Europe and the UK, involving structured degree programs that feature comprehensive training along with independent research.

These unique qualities enhance the appeal of Ph.D. in USA for Indian students with scholarship. Do you also want to complete your Ph.D. in the USA? Then, before applying, take a look at the various reasons why the USA is the most preferred destination for Ph.D. to Indian students.

Yearly openings for Ph.Ds

If you are familiar with the way that Ph.Ds are offered in Europe, you may notice that Ph.D. candidates are considered part of the university staff. And that Ph.D. openings are treated as job vacancies. In the U.S., Ph.D. candidates are also part of the university staff; they can join as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or adjunct instructor. Yet, as a Ph.D. candidate in the U.S., you are primarily a student who is enrolled to meet the requirements of the university for the doctoral degree. Universities therefore recruit students for graduate courses, students who will go on to complete their doctoral programs. And to fill the graduate courses, university departments will have openings every year. Therefore, rather than waiting for one or two vacancies to come around, you can count on several every year.

Ph.D. positions are ‘open call’

Along with offering yearly admissions and openings for Ph.D. programs, university departments also don’t necessarily limit you in which specific topic or field you have to research. Unlike other countries, where the Ph.D. is offered according to the specified project, departments in the U.S. are fairly flexible when it comes to deciding what you would like to devote the next few years of your life to. Rather than feel constrained to a particular topic, and having to write about something that someone else has decided upon, you have full autonomy to propose your own project. This is what known as ‘open call’; you are open to choose any project, assuming it fits with the needs of the department. But your Ph.D. project can’t be really about anything. Generally, Ph.D. students are admitted as their ideas or proposals match those of the faculty who are already employed in the department. So, students who are applying to a Ph.D. in the USA should make sure that their project is something that the department would like to fund. And as long as your project meets the condition, you are welcome to choose a topic that interests you the most.

Funding is (generally) almost guaranteed

While Indian students who are doing Ph.D. in the USA are often encouraged to look for external funding – through private research institutes or federal grants – they are not always needed. Instead, Ph.D. students in the USA are generally guaranteed a tuition waiver along with a ‘basic stipend’ for the full (expected) duration of their studies in exchange for some service to their home department. A stipend is a basic (taxable) payment that is given to a student twice a year. Though financial aid is not a huge one, it is intended to cover the minimum basic living costs during your study. As Ph.D. students in the USA don’t have the time for a part-time job, universities offer their students a basic income to support them during the time of their studies.

Going to the USA can provide several benefits to Indian students who are looking for the best option for their research. So, consider each of the reasons, and then think about how they can contribute to shaping your experience as a Ph.D. candidate.

Author bio: Maria Jones is an academic blogger and writes on topics like Ph.D. in USA for Indian students with scholarship. In this write-up, she has listed down a few reasons why Indian students want to get a Ph.D. in the USA.