Experience of a Graduate student at University of Texas at San Antonio

Sheffield Hallam University

7.1(6 Reviews)

Reason for choosing my college

• I was interested in a particular type of research project, which the lab I am in right now was offering.
• My professor had an NSF-funded project, and he was a reputed scientist in the environmental water chemistry world. So, when he joined in this university, I applied and joined so as to work with him.

Colorado School of Mines

9.2(1 Reviews)

University of Glasgow

7.8(42 Reviews)

Reason for Rejection

• They did not have enough funding at that time and hence talks broke down between them and me.
• At some instances, like for S. Korea, language barriers were reasons for the interview experience not being as good.

• I would say the prospective students need to email the professors so as to build a sense of connectivity.
• This also helps in securing funding opportunities and also build a rapport wit the professors and faculties

• All of the above-mentioned reasons were there, but most importantly, the research opportunity was good so I came here.
• The professor was reputed and the lab too was known for good research so I thought that it would be a great experience.
• I was offered a fully funded PhD programme, and it was a big positive for me.

• 9 credit hours of courses are to be taken each semester for an international student, which means 3 courses each semester. and there are lots of Indians in the courses.
• Most of the time goes into assignments and homework, and there is some level of background knowledge also required to build up and do good in the courses.

• The faculty-to-student ratio roughly is 1:10 in most of the graduate study courses. Not naming any particular faculty but they are very helpful and they also agree to give references as and when required. So it is overall a good experience with the faculties.
• One thing I must say is a PhD student should rather avoid Asian and Indian faculties (surprising, right?) but its true. To have the best of experiences, students should try to work with US and other country professors

• UTSA has got 2 different campuses; facilities are absolutely great. Lots of events throughout the year.
• Lots of opportunities for students in extracurricular activities like sports, music, and many others; students should actively look to be part of various clubs.
• There is a lot to explore here; however, with course loads, it is hard to manage time between studies and other activities if not able to manage smartly.

• Indian students are allowed to have on-campus jobs, which are mostly teaching assistantships and graduate assistantships, as well as part-time jobs in bookshops, food stores, and other offices on the campus.
• A student, after reaching here, needs to find jobs on campus on websites like Handshake, etc. Also being in touch with the department authorities and professors helps a lot.

• Around 50% of students get TA if they are master's students, while almost all PhD students get TA and RA. Salary ranges between 2000 and 2500 USD per month, and tuition is paid off.
• The maximum hours allowed are 19 hours per week. It is mildly tough to get internships at present but if someone tried hard, they can get one.

• There are no such things as on-campus placements; there are job fairs where we talk to representatives of organisations and try to pitch our candidacy.
• In my subject and field, that is, environmental science: around 50% get jobs within first 6 months Salary: ~70K-90K in Texas per annum Job sites are the best places to find jobs.

• Online platforms like websites of housing and apartments. Notice boards, groups. The Indian Student Association of UTSA has a website created that gives insight into a lot of useful information like this.
• There are fb and WhatsApp groups, which constantly keep sharing info on available accommodations.