Dear Birhanu:

I sat on a graduate application committee for some time, and while criteria can be different among programs, I think the advice given above, especially networking, is sound.

In the program I experienced, there were two ways a graduate program was funded: (1) A research grant that also had a research assistantship to fund a graduate student...These are more commonly had for an MS than a PhD because most grant appliers are trying to keep costs low and as most research grants are funded for three years, there may be inadequate funding for a 5-plus year PhD program. (2) Teaching assistantships: a department or program likely has some of these but not nearly enough for everyone applying for a program. For a PhD, the funding is likely to be a mix of these two support lines for reasons stated above.

Networking: In a typical program with teaching assistantships, the graduate committee is going to make the decisions about how these are meted out. It may be rotational (Professor so-and-so's turn to fill one has come up), competitive, or a mix. Regardless, someone has to make a case for you to join the program and to get this support. Professors are usually not going to make such decisions solely based on your paper trail, grades, scored, etc. You are going to have to make the case for yourself by doing the background research such that you know the history and current research interests of the lab in question; maybe have some ideas about future work related to their expertise, and email or call them to tell them how you would be a good fit in their lab. You need an advocate at the table in order to get that assistantship!

Usually, there are top notch students applying to programs and the ones that win out are those that opened the lines of communication and said, "I want to work in your lab and here's why..." You also may be able to forgo a TOEFL score if they can ascertain your proficiency over the phone.

Hope this helps,

-Bryan

Firstly congratulations on your good GPA. Getting a scholarship however takes time and funders look for various things. Some may want you to have proof of publication, others may just be interested in getting willing learners. Broaden your search to various countries. From my experience it is sometimes easier to get a scholarship closer to your home country but others easily find opportunities far from home. At times your current affiliation could also help as some scholarships are tied to capacity building. Just keep trying and don't forget to look at the scholarship requirements. You will soon find one that fits you and is willing to take you.

Thank you Matema for your encouraging response. I often look their requirements and think I fulfill them, but the selection outcome confuses me. In fact, I have more than 6 publications where two of them are on WILEY and TYLOR & FRANCIS, which I think good journals.

One thing I miss is IELTS or TOEFL test results. I taught every course from school to University in English.

In addition to issues mentioned by Matema Imakumbili, networking, potential interest matching with yours' and applied instituition, availability of funding, legal and priority isuues at the applied instutiution. Try to make empathy... If you are on the other side of the table trying to choose from many applicants with very high GPAs, whom you would pick... Wish you the best.

Thanks Professor Arsoy.

It's unique that you had such a high GPA, and that would have put you possibly among the best 1% graduating students in your school... For that, I also say congrats! This is one of the key points that you may need to emphasize on your cover/motivation letter while applying for PhD. Perhaps you may not have had any publication yet, it might also help to look closely and emphasize the research skills that you have acquired during your Master's degree. Try to come up with a genuine research idea that you would like to explore during your PhD program and when necessary, develop this into a proposal. Summarily, in addition to your excellent academic achievement, also try to showcase your ability to conduct independent research under a supervisor.

Best wishes with your pursuit!

Thanks Olawale for your valuable comment. I will try to develop a nice proposal.

Congratulation on your achievement. I assume what you are really after is funding for your PhD study. I suggest you should look at other fields such as agriculture because you can always tailored your study to focus on soil science. Maybe you can write up a study project proposal with supporting reasons of need and importance of the study, approach possible funding bodies and sell yourself to them.

Good luck

Dear Birhanu:

I sat on a graduate application committee for some time, and while criteria can be different among programs, I think the advice given above, especially networking, is sound.

In the program I experienced, there were two ways a graduate program was funded: (1) A research grant that also had a research assistantship to fund a graduate student...These are more commonly had for an MS than a PhD because most grant appliers are trying to keep costs low and as most research grants are funded for three years, there may be inadequate funding for a 5-plus year PhD program. (2) Teaching assistantships: a department or program likely has some of these but not nearly enough for everyone applying for a program. For a PhD, the funding is likely to be a mix of these two support lines for reasons stated above.

Networking: In a typical program with teaching assistantships, the graduate committee is going to make the decisions about how these are meted out. It may be rotational (Professor so-and-so's turn to fill one has come up), competitive, or a mix. Regardless, someone has to make a case for you to join the program and to get this support. Professors are usually not going to make such decisions solely based on your paper trail, grades, scored, etc. You are going to have to make the case for yourself by doing the background research such that you know the history and current research interests of the lab in question; maybe have some ideas about future work related to their expertise, and email or call them to tell them how you would be a good fit in their lab. You need an advocate at the table in order to get that assistantship!

Usually, there are top notch students applying to programs and the ones that win out are those that opened the lines of communication and said, "I want to work in your lab and here's why..." You also may be able to forgo a TOEFL score if they can ascertain your proficiency over the phone.

Hope this helps,

-Bryan

Dr David Bryan Dail's suggestion showed me to rethink about my previous applications. Now, I understood that though I have high GPA, online application cannot help me win PhD scholarships.

Dear Dr. David Bryan Dail, I need your email address please. I have something to ask you that I think it very important for my success of my future applications.

Dear Dr. David,

Please I need your email address. I need one but critical questions for you that I think very important for my future scholarship applications.

Mine is: [email protected]

Dear Birhanu,

You should review the CV/ profile of scientist that from you wish to get acceptance letter. You try to find some knowledge gap in his publications or research area where you think need some advancement. Then, email him like this " I am impressed with your existing research work but if you give me chance in your research group, we mutually can further advance this work. I think, Preparation of research proposal in this way will also prove helpful in securing admission. If you have research papers in the same research lines it will be more helpful.