Hi everyone,
I am from Pakistan and have applied to the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at U of Regina for Jan 2016 intake. Actually I am (was too) interested in American Universities, but I was late in applying for fall 2015 so all the groups were filled to their maximum and I applied in only two universities that time so rejected. However one day I was going through the U of R website and liked profile of an Associate professor, wrote him an instant e-mail and I got his reply, which I will paste in this post.
Thank you for the interest.
I have an opening for a graduate student starting from January, 2016.
Recently, we have expanded our scope of research to include in vivo functions of enzymes. We do less work on in vitro characterization of novel enzymes, but more on in planta characterization of novel gene products using targeted gene knockout method. Thus, the new student will use tools as:
plant culture,
targeted gene knockout construction, subcloning, PCR, Southern blotting,
microscopy (light, SEM), in addition to
basic enzyme chemistry tools for purification and enzyme assay.
Of course, I do not expect students to have experience in all these tools. However, I'd like to have a student with some degree of knowledge in plant physiology and protein biochemistry.
Hope this helps when you make decision on whether you submit a formal application to the graduate program at U of Regina.
Best,
X
And his second reply when I expressed my interest and shared documents as well CV, was, as,
Thanks for the quick reply.
I would suggest you to submit an application to the graduate program in our department. You may mention in the application form that you have contacted me.
Before you do that, I will have to tell you that financial supports for our graduate students are barely enough for one person to live.
Graduate students in my lab are (and will be) paid $18000 per year: $8000 as full time teaching assistantship from the department and $10000 as research assistantship from me. Students have to pay tuition (plus international student fee) and living expenses. More details on living conditions and expenses can be found in the UofR website.
Good luck.
X
Having this reply I lodged my formal application for MS in the department with the great help of coordinator because he had confirmed it from respective associate professor about OUR conversation, but I am still confused that what does it implied? Whether that professor will eventually take me in his group or was only RECOMMENDING me to apply?? I feel dubious for his "good luck" comment in his e-mail while I told him about my application lodgement.
At this time, my application has been in department for a month and status goes as PENDING FACULTY/DEPT SELECTION and I am very much upset because I invested my time and money in this all process and of course, none of us want a negative reply after all this. My profile goes as,
BSc- 1st division (two years)
MSc- 3.46/4 (two years, this study program is as per the requirement for Pakistani students, consulted FGSR and department both)
IELTS : 7.0 ( no band less than 6)
SOP: Strong
LOR : They were confidential but I have requested my referees for strong lor. Hopeful for strong!
Research Experience : 6+ months internship,
Volunteer Experience : Three months research for Dengue outbreak in local community
Job : Teaching Biochemistry since May 2012 for six days a week.
I am anxiously waiting for your suggestions. Pl help me in building an opinion because I do not wanna have some brown study. I want actual hopes.
Your suggestions will be of great help!
My best,
Enigmatic
I am from Pakistan and have applied to the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at U of Regina for Jan 2016 intake. Actually I am (was too) interested in American Universities, but I was late in applying for fall 2015 so all the groups were filled to their maximum and I applied in only two universities that time so rejected. However one day I was going through the U of R website and liked profile of an Associate professor, wrote him an instant e-mail and I got his reply, which I will paste in this post.
Thank you for the interest.
I have an opening for a graduate student starting from January, 2016.
Recently, we have expanded our scope of research to include in vivo functions of enzymes. We do less work on in vitro characterization of novel enzymes, but more on in planta characterization of novel gene products using targeted gene knockout method. Thus, the new student will use tools as:
plant culture,
targeted gene knockout construction, subcloning, PCR, Southern blotting,
microscopy (light, SEM), in addition to
basic enzyme chemistry tools for purification and enzyme assay.
Of course, I do not expect students to have experience in all these tools. However, I'd like to have a student with some degree of knowledge in plant physiology and protein biochemistry.
Hope this helps when you make decision on whether you submit a formal application to the graduate program at U of Regina.
Best,
X
And his second reply when I expressed my interest and shared documents as well CV, was, as,
Thanks for the quick reply.
I would suggest you to submit an application to the graduate program in our department. You may mention in the application form that you have contacted me.
Before you do that, I will have to tell you that financial supports for our graduate students are barely enough for one person to live.
Graduate students in my lab are (and will be) paid $18000 per year: $8000 as full time teaching assistantship from the department and $10000 as research assistantship from me. Students have to pay tuition (plus international student fee) and living expenses. More details on living conditions and expenses can be found in the UofR website.
Good luck.
X
Having this reply I lodged my formal application for MS in the department with the great help of coordinator because he had confirmed it from respective associate professor about OUR conversation, but I am still confused that what does it implied? Whether that professor will eventually take me in his group or was only RECOMMENDING me to apply?? I feel dubious for his "good luck" comment in his e-mail while I told him about my application lodgement.
At this time, my application has been in department for a month and status goes as PENDING FACULTY/DEPT SELECTION and I am very much upset because I invested my time and money in this all process and of course, none of us want a negative reply after all this. My profile goes as,
BSc- 1st division (two years)
MSc- 3.46/4 (two years, this study program is as per the requirement for Pakistani students, consulted FGSR and department both)
IELTS : 7.0 ( no band less than 6)
SOP: Strong
LOR : They were confidential but I have requested my referees for strong lor. Hopeful for strong!
Research Experience : 6+ months internship,
Volunteer Experience : Three months research for Dengue outbreak in local community
Job : Teaching Biochemistry since May 2012 for six days a week.
I am anxiously waiting for your suggestions. Pl help me in building an opinion because I do not wanna have some brown study. I want actual hopes.
Your suggestions will be of great help!
My best,
Enigmatic
