Why that course, Why that University?

28th August 2024

Dear All,

Thank you for participating in today’s ‘Interact with Alumni Studying Abroad’ Programme with Ms. Shivani A Pillai, doing her PhD with University of Oxford.

The Zoom meet started at 6 pm and ended at 7.15 pm.

[Minutes of the Meeting by Ms. Lakshmi, follows]

Ms. Shivani did her BA in English Language & Literature with MCC. She gave a very impressive talk on the process of applying for her Masters Programme with the University of Edinburgh and then for her present PhD Programme with the University of Oxford. There were more than 10 questions from the participants and she answered them all.

We shall meet again next week on Zoom for yet another Episode.

Best wishes,

Office of the Dean of International Programmes

MCC

Minutes of the Meeting

Meeting with Alumni Studying Abroad Episode #5

Speaker: Ms. Shivani A Pillai

DPhil Candidate in English (University of Oxford)

MSc in Modern and Contemporary Literature (University of Edinburgh)

T. Abraham began with the College Prayer

1. Welcome Address and the Introduction of the speaker given by Dr. Franklin Daniel, HoD English Language and Literature

2. Ms. Shivani A Pillai’s Talk

Slide 1 - First Steps - The basics

* Start early on applications

* Focus on what you want to study and why you want to study it, before you decide where you want to study - “what” and “why” will help narrow down the “where”

* Do your homework on what Universities offer what courses - Course descriptions use marketing tactics. Look up faculty pages instead to learn more about how the course will be and where faculty interests and expertise lie.

* Email professors before PhD applications to check with availability and interests, etc.

* Use the internet to connect with present students and alumni to understand what the university is really like

* Look for placement opportunities, career service departments, and how long it takes graduates to land a job before enrolling - Know if employers prefer or respect the university

* Monitor University Rankings and note if it performs well consistently - QS World Rankings (https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings)

* Target countries according to scope and job availability in your field of study

Slide 2 - Application Materials (for UK Universities)

* Personal statement - why that course, why that university

* Sample of Written Work - usually around 4000 words - will be evaluated based on how you defend arguments and analyse materials etc.

* CV - Should be an Academic CV - especially important for securing scholarships

* References - may need anywhere between 1-3 referrals - Ask from professors that know you and your line of work and body of work well

Slide 3 - What else must one do

* Consistently maintain a good CGPA to meet requirements

* Build your research profile by presenting at conferences, publishing in journals, and undertaking research projects etc.

* Market your internship to an academic audience

* Be prepared to be uncomfortable (culture shock, different values, living in a foreign place)

Slide 4 - Scholarships

* ⚠️ Always first check University-specific websites for scholarship opportunities

* Check if the course and the University are eligible for any scholarship - keep track of deadlines

* Personalise application for each scholarship

* Work part time alongside course

* For application support, look up Project EduAccess (https://www.projecteduaccess.com/)

3. Q&A session

4. Vote of Thanks given by Dr. Samuel Rufus 

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