Hello,

 

I am offered PhD from a state university. However they say they do not have funding at the moment. I was thinking I could come to US on F1 and search for job on CPT after 1 semester. I could later try for H1B or something.

I have MS from another US state university. (I moved to a good university for PhD.... things did not work out I came to Nepal...... matters got worse..... anyway that is old story). So I was thinking I will have chance in geting a decent job right? My field is related to environmental engineering btw.

 

Thanks for reading. Any comment/suggestion will be highly appreciated.

 

bkb

The question is: you just want to come to US in any cost or you want to come here for PhD? You can come even without funding. If you get admission for PhD in env eng related field, probably you will find some way for funding-either TAship or RAship or some on campus job. So that you can continue your study. Looks like you are familiar about US education system and other things.

Very personal, what happended to your previous PHD? Seems I have to go through the same path, please let me know. I am also applying PHD but worried about those comprehensive exams and all. I have done masters here in civil engineering and now applying PHD to couple universities.

Phd without funding is not a good idea.  however, if your intention is to get here in usa and apply for jobs then you can come here and do so.  however, without OPT i doubt it will be easier for you to get a job provided H1B situation remains the same like this year and last year.  i would suggest you to apply to few more universities and try to get funding for your phd.  also, ask professor of this school who granted you admission on their phd program that if they can provide you funding after a semester.  Phd is a research degree and why would someone spend money on doing research for university with hard earned money. furthermore, if you come here for phd, try to complete phd rather than looking for a job.  you already quit phd and now you are again thinking of doing so.   

timer, comprehensive exams are not bad, research and papers are.  good luck to both of you. 

Thanks for all your comments.

Raxi... my thoughts exactly, however, what to do if not offered funding.

Maddogg.. can you plz explain?

pops.... thanks for your insight. Actually I am confused whether I want to come to US at any cost or for PhD.

timer... I think it will be best to use your OPT then join PhD (just my personal opinion). I never really cared abt comprehensive exam so I have B's in most subjects :(

AAAA..... I have already asked the rofessor whether funding could be available for Fall, I would come then. I might not be able to afford 1 semester tuition. I already hav debt from MS :( (borrowed using a co-signer). I really need to do something or at least seem to be doing st.

Is it simply out of question that I can get a job on H1-B visa... afterall I do have MS degree from reputed US university....

Is applying for Canadian immigration a solution?

 

Thanks again.

if you want to apply for canadian PR, apply after coming here.  it is definitely good idea to come here and pay your debt.  it would be very difficult otherwise unless you are very rich.  i think you should come in spring, pay your bill and work your ass off and try for both assistantship starting summer and job.  did you apply any canadian universities?  like i mentioned before, it is not only about getting job, it is about finding a company who is willing to sponsor your visa and wait you until october.  remember, you dont have OPT, so you can not work even though you get a job without H1B.

bkb, It's not always good to do phd without funding. I assume you had tried to find good universities for funding. If you try at medium level universities, they can offer assistantship easily as you are already an US graduate. As you know H1 is not as easier as it used to be. If you really want to do phd, dont come without assistantship, however if you are confident in finding job in CPT, tuition fee doesn't matter as you can transfer it to H1 later next year. And dont forget the situation of exploring the job while you were just graduate and forced to leave US. The situation can be worse depending on the CPT rules of university.Good luck to your search.

bke, it is extremely difficult to suggest unless and until, what is your exact situation. If you are pretty young and you don't have any family problems and you feel I can struggle here for some year, definately you can try another chance but if you have other restrictions, then the situation might be worse. Depends on what you want to do, but if you feel you will search job while studying without OPT is not easy job, as I am on OPT now but because of also some family reason, I am trying to do PhD.

bkb, it is extremely difficult to suggest unless and until, what is your exact situation. If you are pretty young and you don't have any family problems and you feel I can struggle here for some year, definately you can try another chance but if you have other restrictions, then the situation might be worse. Depends on what you want to do, but if you feel you will search job while studying without OPT is not easy job, as I am on OPT now but because of also some family reason, I am trying to do PhD.

AAAA. stats and timer,

Thanks. I have applied to 1 more university. I do not have much hope but if they offer my PhD with funding great. I am not applying to other universities coz by GRE has expired. Now I am thinking of giving GRE again.

I am really in a fix here. I am not very rich so cannot pay my debt from Nepal. I am neither too young nor too old (I am single so I can consider myself young I guess). Thank you so much again guys. Here in Kathmandu most of the people (especially family members) do not understand. It is good sharing with you.

bkb

NO and NEVER

You give GRE? I thought people take it.

Sorry narayangarh... you are right people do take GRE, thanks for correcting me .. i noticed something wrong in "giving GRE," I just continued thinking what the heck people will understand.

Today I went to a "consulting/immigration" firm in ktm. It sends people on J1 visa. The guy was telling me the compensation is $7-$11/hr for skilled IT persons.. and on top of that the applicant has to pay the immigration fees as well.

bkb

Bkb, is that sure shot? I don't think and what is the qualification needed for J1 visa? Please give detail, seems interesting, so that we can double check here too!!!!!!!!

 

I have a query. I have been offered a PhD in a very reputed University. It is in a research area that I have always wanted to work. However,  I have only got sponsorship to cover my tuition fee and I have to manage my living expenses by myself.  Should I go for it?

bkb, do not take the J1 route. take my word, not a consultant in Putalisadak.

It depends on what's your post Phd plans are. For Phd almost anyone will get funded by the prof that one would opt to work for, as it not only helps the student, but helps the prof as well (more than the student) to establish himself in the research world.

But if you have the option of Masters only with funds,,go for that. Phd without considerable work experience leaves one academically overqualified for most the jobs, while underqualified considering the work experience. Therefore it becomes a difficult situation after finishing Phd except if one were to get a teaching job in college which is not so easy. So all the best.

It's a good idea to go for Phd after some work experience, but one would be building shaky gounds for oneself by doing it straight without any work experience.

Hi bkb:

Why don't you try applying to Infoysys, TCS or WIPRO in india? I think you can apply online and since you have master's from US, good chance for H1b next year and you can come to US on work. Even if you get the job in India, the pay is very good.

Cannabis... thanks.... I replied to your comments..

Axara... I am not going to take that $7/hr J1, but the consultant was quite forthright in first meeting itself. Otherwise I was thinking seriously about that.

GwanchAquarian... There are different schools of thoughts on PhD I guess. One is that if you complete PhD and start job (I guess in big company in US) you will get promoted higher than just with MS.

Sheetalb... Actually I was looking for jobs in India. I have undergraduate degree from reputed college in India. However I am not in IT so those companies may not have position for me. However maybe just applying online, no one is going to notice you.

NO quiero..... I am really surprised that any department will cover tuition fee and not pay stipend fro PhD... (but look at my case they are not even paying tuition). I will just say write to the department you have applied. Apply to  other universities as well.

 

Thanks all again guys.

 

bkb

btw guys..

Does anyone know contact persons who are into environmental engineering? My little problem (or strength...depnding on point of view) is that I have taken all environmental engineering courses. Air Quality, Solid Waste management, Wastewater, Risk Assessment. Sometime I feel like Jack of all trades... and.......

 

bkb