2012 International Applicants to Biosciences Programs

greekbio
Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:23:53 +0000

@NeuroIm4
I can comment on the PhD in Europe part. In Europe the general rule of PhDs is that you contact professors directly in order to get a PhD, so when you are in talks you know beforehand the scientific area you will be focusing on, and quite frequently, you know pretty much what your exact project would be. Also, no rotations, no courses, you cut to the chase. So a European PhD in a way is more guided that a US PhD were you pretty much investigate every step of the way, rotations, finding a mentor, doing preliminary research, doing a thesis proposal etc. In Europe, your professor is very close, keeping an eye on your work. It’s not easier per se, but the general consensus is that US= more autonomous, promotes independence Europe= very focused from day one, close guidance by professor. But that is always the generalized idea of how it works, doesn’t apply to every case.