Exchange Diaries  

Deepak Somani | Mechanical Engineering

Brown University, USA

Research Area: Molecular Computing & Molecular Simulations

What was the University and topic of research that was taken up by you during the FT?

I pursued my research internship at Brown University, and I was responsible for working on two projects. Earlier my topic was based on Molecular Computation that was about creating logic series through chemical kinetics. After I initiated my internship, the professor offered me another project related to the molecular dynamics of adsorbents in quantum devices.

Why is an FT important? How would one compare research in Indian universities and foreign universities?

Research is not something you relate to doing great projects under famous professors. One should focus one's mind on exploring options and following their passion. The dominant advantage of performing a foreign research internship is related to higher studies. Another point is that you get to create your network and build your communication skills. Foreign experience also provides us with information about the working of other universities and labs, the procedure under different professors, and what quality of research equipment and software they use. We expressly know about the Indian institutes because we are all studying in IIT and know about the technical arrangements here. So if we want to pursue higher research or higher studies or even not, the research gives us vast experience.

FT vs corporate internship, what are all the things we are missing out on and what are we gaining more?

In my view, corporate internships also provide us with a viewpoint on the functioning of the company. It is a replica of whatever you do. In research labs, including FTs, one focuses on a particular topic and then performs research. Thus from an overall spectacle, corporate internships are more dynamic and divergent whereas research internships are convergent and revolve around a particular field. Thus, the research internship is favored more by the students who have an ardent desire for higher studies, but I don't think it matters much in the corporate world.

Should BTech students aspiring for higher studies from abroad opt for an FT?

Absolutely! If one is aiming for higher studies, then one should try to bag an FT in vacations. You will get to know more about your field by exploring and performing projects in it. It will surely guide you best during your higher studies. Apart from that, a research internship eventually increases the number of reference letters in your account by one, which can be a fruitful one explaining your foreign experience. Reference letters carry a prominent weightage in foreign applications for higher studies. The connections built up in a different country can provide you a secondary advantage as well.

 

What exactly is the application process for the FT? Are there any important documents one must keep?

The most important document we can talk about is a resume. You can use the CDC resume, but, in my opinion, it is very compressed, which is not favorable for your resume for foreign internships. You need to elaborate on your experiences and talk much more about your research work during applications. Letters of recommendation from the professors under whom you are working/worked earlier or under which you have studied well are also necessary. You should also write a sound SOP and have a cover letter for programs and personal mailing. 

How did the process get affected due to the online nature of the applications?

Many of the labs refrained from recruiting students for internships. Sometimes labs require your physical presence. Some software belongs to universities or is licensed by them that inhibits/trouble you to work on it. Many professors rejected my applications stating the condition of the pandemic. But, I think the online internships were planned accordingly and thus provided a good experience, including mine. 

Did you have to mail the professor personally for the project? For how much time did you wait for a reply?

I was honestly unsure of getting an FT the previous year. I had registered in the FTP portal of IR Cell as well. I mailed a few professors and applied to known programs in which some got rejected, and some got delayed. I waited for their reply in personal mailing for a week, after which I dropped a follow-up mail in the thread. 

When should one start applying for a FT? How long did the procedure last till you got the desired FT?

The preparation for application should start from the first week of September. The mailing should begin before the first week of October as sometimes it gets late, and the professor already decides who to take in. An early mail increases your chance of success. Also, you can reach a higher number of professors if you are dedicated enough. You have to be persistent as you may get rejected by several of them. The procedure can extend till February, and if you don't get a positive reply by then, you can decide that the chances are very slim. But if one strongly desires an FT, then I think they should try till March.

What is the role of CGPA in the selection process?

CGPA does play a dominant role in the selection process. Usually, the undergraduates who apply for FTs do not have much prior experience in research, so the first criteria they use is CGPA. But if you have worked on exciting projects, then CGPA doesn’t play that huge a role.

How did the pandemic affect your application for the project? Did the pandemic have any positive impact on the project?

My projects were software-based. I needed to connect to the supercomputer, but there was no trouble with remote access as I had prior experience. My professor and mentor were very cooperative, which helped me to overcome the disadvantages of physical absence. But I do wish I was able to visit Brown University. 

Where should a student, who is unaware about the entire application process, look up for information about professors and their research work for opportunities?

No one knows about the professors and their research opportunities. They need to scroll the web and see the university webpages and look at required departments, every school, and take note of every professor working around their research field. It is a brute-force procedure, but a necessary one.

How should a first year student prepare beforehand for his FT application in their subsequent year?

Some students are highly dedicated and highly focused. They know that they want to go into research. After the first year, you can apply for internships or perform in labs under the professors. One should gradually start preparing a resume by creating a google doc and inputting all the research works done by the date in it. If you start building your resume at the last and critical moment, you will realize that many vital things are left out and missed. Also I think, after the first year, one should explore the various opportunities. There is a possibility of research versus corporate internship, and one should judge the difference on their own with experience.

Does belonging to IITKGP provide any added benefits for getting your FT?

I have a few projects under the professors of IIT Kharagpur that helped enhance my profile. I guess the quality of professors and projects and IIT KGP can be related. Usually, foreign professors have a mindset that students of IITs are better than those of private institutions. So, belonging to an IIT does provide a small headstart.