Exchange Diaries  

Ananyaa Welling | Biotechnology

Johns Hopkins University, United States of America

While you were in college, what was your motivation to go for higher studies and in
which year did you get that motivation? How did you manage your academics with
your preparation?

It was more of an elimination process. Coding was not my cup of tea. So I began
exploring other areas, and bioscience research resonated with me. I already had prior interests
in fields like biomedical engineering and chemical engineering. Still, I think the interaction
with my professors and seniors after coming here helped solidify my interest. I believe my
research journey started with an internship in the second year, and the idea of pursuing higher
studies evolved from there.

What is the process of interdisciplinary studies? How easy was the switch? What
motivated you the switch?

So my MS specialization is in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, which is more
towards the field of life sciences than biotechnology. All other programmes that I applied to
as well are in similar areas. The projects I did in the School of Medical Science and
Technology were also in these domains, which helped with the switch. Also, my degree is
quite diverse, with courses on both engineering and life-sciences aspects of biotech. This
makes it easy to branch out into other fields as well. My interest in chronic diseases,
especially autoimmune diseases, and the overall experience of interning there motivated me
to switch.

What are the factors that you considered for selecting the universities you applied for?

I started by considering universities to which my peers and seniors had applied. That sort
off provided me with a basic framework. I was clear that I did not want to do a PhD yet since
I didn’t have enough wet-lab experience and was focused on getting into a good graduate
programme. From my internship experience, I had decided that the field I want to be working in is
either Molecular Microbiology or Immunology. I started by looking at opportunities in the
United States because their applications close first. Talking to professors and seniors also gave me
some perspective on which university would be the best fit for me. Also, looking at the work of the
professors in universities you are applying for helps, more so if you are trying for an MS in research.

Did you apply to multiple universities? If yes can you please elaborate on the
differences in the selection process of the universities?

I have applied to 7 foreign universities.
The application processes for different universities are very different. You have to review the
university requirements for every application - they tell you to write an SOP (Statement of
Purpose) or personal statement and give you prompts. You have to personalise every
application. It helps to ask seniors and professors for some information.

How are you planning to manage your finances? Have you applied for any
scholarships?

It is essential to look at scholarship and funding opportunities when you apply. Unlike
PhDs, MS degrees arent funded. I was looking at merit-based scholarships. It is also vital to
consider scholarship deadlines since they are usually before the application deadlines. There
are fully funded master’s programmes in Canada and Europe, but scholarships are the only
way to go in the US.

Is CGPA a factor while considering higher studies at foreign universities?

According to my knowledge, colleges usually have a cut-off CGPA, like a threshold you
have to pass. The general advice was to make sure it was above 8-8.5. After that point, they
look at your grades in courses that are relevant and like the curve in general. Usually, an
upward curve, which goes up and plateaus, is what they expect.

Have you taken up any research project at your bachelor’'s level under any professor
here at IIT KGP? How did you manage your college studies and worked for your
research?

In my second year, during the orientations of our department, a lot of seniors advised us to
be open and explore research opportunities in the second year itself. I took the initiative and
approached a professor from the School of Medical Sciences and Technology. She worked a
lot in the area of immunology. She was open to working with second years and started me off
with a literature review. I continued learning under her after that as well.

What were the other difficulties you faced on taking this path, and how to overcome
them?

One of my first difficulties was my third-year internship application. I had applied to
many professors and sent out many cold emails but hadn’t gotten many positive responses. It
is imperative to plan out your application process. Suppose you are giving GRE or TOEFL, it
is essential to space them out with your other internships and college academics. Then start
working on your Statement of Purpose. These things will overlap but phase them out so they
don't pile on. It is also very, very important to take breaks in between. Starting SOPs 2
months in advance helps, since there are many iterations, corrections and reviews required to
make a good one. The best SOPs have are those that have been reviewed by your seniors,
professors and friends over and over again. Sending your SOPs to your recommenders is also
very important so that they get a better idea of what to focus on in their letter of
recommendation.

How did IIT KGP benefit you in your journey?

The overall environment at IIT Kgp is very supportive. I had the opportunity to learn
under a professor from the School of Medical Science and Technology. My peer group acted
as a powerful support system, especially during the application period. The professors here
are very supportive, especially if you are into research. They helped me in reviewing parts of
my application as well. Lastly, the seniors helped provide valuable input to my application
and provided information about colleges and professors.

What are the opportunities after the Masters course?

You can continue with Academia or Research in the industry. I can only speak for research
in life sciences. I think it has a lot of scope because, after COVID 19, research in life sciences
has gained a lot of importance. Opportunities in like the pharmaceutical industry are also
growing, so overall, after a PhD, there is a wide range of options.
11. What are the suggestions that you would give your juniors who want to pursue higher
studies? Could you please give a rough roadmap to ease their journey?
A: I think it's crucial to keep interacting with people and not restrict yourself. Reach out to
people to gain different perspectives and understand what’s really going on. It's good to
discuss your ideas and be open to accepting new ones because you never know where they
will lead you. It is very easy to get burnt out since it's a very long term game. Planning ahead
helps manage pressure and multi-task. Having one friend who is also going through the same
throughout the application process to discuss and review your application and share your
experience is beneficial. It is pretty vital to trust your gut feeling; it usually leads you down
the right path. And yeah, always remember that as much as you choose a college, the college
also chooses you!