The United States is well known for its excellent Ph.D. programs, and graduate students from around the globe often apply to their program of choice with the hope of living and earning their Ph.D. in the USA. Xinyi Ding, a Computer Science Ph.D. degree candidate, sat down with us to share his experience of applying for and studying in the United States.
Xinyi found SMU's Computer Science Ph.D. program while working for program alumni at a startup company. Xinyi is not only enjoying the academic aspects of his program, but also the opportunity to get to know different students from different cultures. Read what he had to share about his experience as an international Ph.D. student.
I am from China where I got my bachelor’s degree in computer science. I went to UT Dallas for my master’s degree in computer science and graduated in 2013. I came to SMU in the Spring of 2016 to pursue my Ph.D. degree.
I grew up in a small town located southeast of China. I always want to see the outside world. I love computer science and the United States has the best computer science programs in the world.
After I graduated from UT Dallas, I worked at a startup company which was founded by SMU alumni. I heard a lot about the computer science program and the professors at SMU from them.
I think language might be the most challenging thing when applying to an international school. Also, the cost of several years of studying and living might be a big obstacle for students from developing countries, if they do not have access to scholarships.
If you are applying for a master’s program, I would suggest you prepare early for your TOFEL and GRE test. If you are applying for a Ph.D. program. I would suggest you check out SMU’s faculty page and find out what research field interests you the most. Then send the professor an email to talk about mutual interests. Make sure you have similar research background (published papers) before you send them an email. Professors receive hundreds of similar emails and they probably cannot reply to everyone. However, if you are a strong match they will be more likely to respond.
I think my favorite part has been a totally different environment, which forces me to stay curious and pushes me to learn. I have also really enjoyed meeting people from different countries and learning about their cultures. Learning about so many cultures, helps you to look at things from different angles.
As a Mavericks fan, I recommend watching an NBA game in the AA center. There is a big difference between watching a game on a TV and actually being there yourself.
Attending an international school is about more than acquiring knowledge. To me, the experience of living and studying in a totally different environment is equally important. You will learn to be independent and to see things from a different perspective. I think attending an international school is the best decision I have ever made.