Blogs
Niu's Speech about Study Abroad
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Last Friday a post-graduate student of University of Illinois(sounds like that) who graduated from BIT 3 years ago came back to our school and made a speech in our classroom. It was not until then that I realized that something more need to be done besides GT scores!
He was one of the best graduated students of BIT. He has got the second award in some competitions, such as the Challenge Cup. Moreover, he published 2 essays in the international magazine that about science and technology. Professor Zhang always tells us the story about him, especially that he disassembled a broken notebook but burnt it because of a short circuit several days later. And now he come back to our school for Christmas day, as well as a speech.
The speech was divided into 2 parts; it was about the research that he takes part in and his experience about applying post-graduate study abroad. What stroke me is that he told us the GT scores, which took me so much time, is not so important than we thought. What really matter is the ability of research! The best way to convince a professor is to let him/her know that you have experience of research/scientific activities which may be helpful in his/her team. And he owe his success to the awards and thesises. So it's still not too late for me to make things right, because I'm making a research! While about the GPA, it is important if you don't have a convincing results of scientific activities. But it doesn't mean that we can ignore it and focus on the research. It's still a factor of earning the offer from the “stingy” professor.
Besides, he pointed out that many students misunderstand the rank of the US universities, which is mainly about the undergraduate education. For there are many institutes which only focus on post-graduate education and are well known in certain fields that they won't even exist in the list. Moreover, we should pay more attention to whether the professor may have promotable effects to students or not. If someone just wants to get a master degree, it doesn't matter to have problems with the professor. Because master degree needs no more than 2 years' study, even you don't like the team or the professor, you just need to end your courses and go. But you will stay about 4 years in a team if recieving PhD courses, that means the professor, as well as the teammates, will have a great affect to your life. So those who wants to get PhD degree should search for the professor who can actually push you in academic work and light your way, not simply regard you as a low-price labor with a high IQ.
Admittedly, it's hard to figure out who is the Pro. Right simply though their brief introduction on the website. Niu suggested us pay more attention to the words or descriptions that related to their spare time such as "used to be a coach of a football team" or "have got a gold medal from the swimming competition", which may indicate active thinking and optimistic attitude towards life, because their research team will also be creative. He also emphasized that keeping a good relationship to the professor is of great value. It will be helpful no matter in you academic activities or obtaining employment, because the professor is boss in the US actually.
I have wasted my time in the past tow years, now it's time to get things right. Fight for freedom, fight for dream!
