Exchange Diaries
Sricharan RC | Chemistry
University of California, San Diego, United States of America
1.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?
"Right from the very first year, I decided that he wanted to pursue higher studies. I never wanted
to sit for placements. But initially I found it difficult to choose his stream. So, basically the bulk of
preparation was done during third and fourth year. Also, I focused on both academics and
higher studies simultaneously."
2.What are the factors that you considered for selecting the universities you are going to apply
for?
"I considered the rankings and the labs while selecting the universities I am going to apply for."
3.Did you apply to multiple universities? If yes can you please elaborate on the differences in
the selection process of the universities? In universities in which you were not selected can you
please share what you felt you lacked, and what could you have done better?
"I applied for five universities. Two of them were from the U.S.A. The universities there select
basically on the basis of research papers. The university in San Diego interviewed me and
selected me on that basis. In Europe, for applying to universities you need to approach the
professors as they would be funding you.
I was selected in all the five universities that I applied. But yes those who fail to get selected
either don't make the S.O.Ps up to the mark or they don't have enough research papers."
4.How are you planning to manage your finances? Have you applied for any scholarships?
What were their procedures?
"The courses here fund all your expenses fully. I haven't applied for any scholarship yet but yes
people can do so by visiting websites of various colleges they explicitly describe the whole
process of getting scholarships."
5.Is CGPA a factor while considering higher studies at foreign universities?
"It depends upon the universities, some consider CGPA to be of prime importance while others
take your research papers into consideration. But according to me, a CGPA around 8 should be
a decent one."
6.Have you taken up any research project at your bachelor/master's level under any professor
here at IIT KGP? How did you manage your college studies and worked for your research?
"I did an FTP program under the International Relations Cell. Also, I did an internship in
Germany. And I did some academic projects too.But mostly I focused on my studies and thus
managed it."
7.What were the other difficulties you faced on taking this path and how to overcome them?
"We didn't have any direct senior who was interested in doing this. All of them were busy getting
placed. So, we were kinda directionless initially. That was one of the main difficulties I faced."
8.How did IIT KGP benefit you in your journey?
"I made many contacts in this journey that helped me in getting information regarding the higher
studies. I also got the letters of recommendations that helped. Also, the FTP program of IRC
helped me in going through this. "
9.What are the opportunities after the Ph.D. course?
"After Ph.D one can do academia where one can do the post doc and then become professor or
one can join the numerous research jobs in various research institutes."
10.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?
"First of all apply for personal mailing and approach the Kharagpur professors and get
information regarding the works. Also, gather information regarding the various fields of work
that are there and find what you are interested in. I would ask him to join a scientific research
society rather than an engineering research one. Then have clarity on whether you like the
research or not. Then publish the papers."