Planning for an Inter-disciplinary PHD

College Search & Lists
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<p>Hi everybody!</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for your thoughts!</p>

<p>Well, I got hold of my GRE score and am somewhat disappointed. Verbal: 162 (640, 90th percentile); Quantitative: 158 (740, 79th percentile) and Analytical: 4.0 (48th percentile).</p>

<p>I was expecting a 5+ score for the analytical section. The quantitative section did not help either. Just got bored and tired…also, it has got more complicated. Then again, I just studied for three days and solved the ETS test before the exam date…not because I was lazy. Currently, I am working as a consultant engineer and attending business school at the same time.</p>

<p>I did my Bsc in Civil Engineering (CGPA 3.23) from BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology). I already have an MS from University of Virginia in Environmental Management and 4+ years of engineering consultancy experience in Mid-West + one year in Bangladesh (My home country). My professional specialization is in urban hydraulic system modeling (SWMM), masterplan development, flood map development and relevant HEC modeling. I am also attending an Executive MBA program (Institute of Business Administration, Dhaka University) and intend to finish by the end of 2012. My CGPA so far is in the 3.5+ region.</p>

<p>I intend to start my Phd by fall 2013/ fall 2014. My interest is quite broad. I intend to do an interdisciplinary PHD in Water Resources conflict issues (Such as cross border river conflict) that’ll involve resource economics, geopolitical studies, marketing and media studies etc…(Yeah, I have not yet zeroed in…but it is a work in progress). I am eying Tufts University’s Water Diplomacy program, Georgetown University Economics, Columbia Civil Engineering, Cornell etc. My choice of schools should be around major cities such as New York, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago etc…and have funding opportunities. I’ll appreciate your observations and recommendations in this regard.</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

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<p>I’m not exactly sure what you want for “observations and recommendations in this regard.” but…Phd program admission decisions are made in a totally different way than BA/BS/MA/MS/MBA decisions. </p>

<p>Basically, you have to be matched to a faculty mentor with your same research interests. If, say Tufts, does not have a faculty member currently willing to take you on as a Phd student, then they won’t offer you admission. Even with great stats, experience, etc.</p>

<p>You really need to identify specific schools and faculty that match your specific research interests and then contact either the department or individual faculty member and find out more information. If you have a faculty mentor from your MS at the University of Virginia, contact that person and talk with that person about possible Phd program matches.</p>

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<p>Do not pursue a Ph.D. in an interdisciplinary program. Pursue a Ph.D. in a core discipline (economics, political science, civil engineering, whatever) and focus your research on water resource conflicts. Interdisciplinary Ph.D.s have bad track records of obtaining tenure track faculty appointments (of course, a tenure track faculty appointment these days is getting pretty rare for anyone). </p>

<p>Also, I’m surprised that you’re not looking at the west coast of the U.S. where water resource conflicts are often much more acute. Your research is likely to take you to that region of the country, so it might make sense for your academic home base to be out there.</p>