Fact Check: How is it like to do your Ph.D. from IISc Bangalore?

Fact Check: How is it like to do your Ph.D. from IISc Bangalore?

If there is a Synonym of MIT in India then its definitely none other than IISc Bangalore – India’s premier Research Institution. So today we are going to tell you how is it like to work @ IISc, Bengaluru

This Article is based on the confessions of a bright Ph.D. candidate who is now placed in a Top Notch Biotech Company in the USA. How is it like to do your Ph.D. from IISc Bangalore?

Warning: Before we begin, IISC is not for the faint-hearted. So if you want to do your Ph.D. from here, get ready for a bumpy ride.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to defame or malign the reputation of IISc, rather we are trying to enlighten & encourage individuals to jump in and explore all the sides of Research @ IISc

Getting a Ph.D. in Bangalore’s Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is probably everyone’s dream. It’s an excellent university for someone who is deeply interested in research. But here’s one thing – it might be easy to enroll in this university but getting out is like going through a needle hole. You have to be SMART, PERFECTIONIST and HARD

WORKING, All at the same time.

We’ve always known that getting a Ph.D. is a difficult task but the growing number of candidates joining IISc seems to be telling us that everyone is up for an intellectual challenge, not to mention the offsetting reality that waits for them when they go outside.

Behind every successful journey is a dark secret or a hidden fact not shared with everyone and in this article, we will share to you how it is like to study Ph.D. in IISc Bangalore.

Fact 1: Your GATE or CSIR NET rank does not matter

Finally, it makes sense when people say “it doesn’t matter if you’re a topper, as long as you clear the GATE exam – that’s more than okay.”

When you enroll in IISc Bangalore, you won’t be judged according to your GATE or CSIR NET exam score. You may be a CSIR NET All India Rank 1 rank holder or a GATE Exam topper, but you will find a lot of people at IISc who are as good – or even better – than you in your field. These people don’t have top-ranking scores in the GATE Exam but they’re surely going to crash you in a secret competition mix.

During your first semester, you’ll realize that the GATE score is not the only thing you can cling to. After topping or clearing the GATE, you need to be as practical and analytical as you can for the biggest journey of your life. For all time, it’s best to be humble and be open to a few more learning from everyone at IISc.

Fact 2: Getting a Ph.D. at IISc is not a walk in the park

Yes, IISc is full of trees but working here is not a walk in the park. Studying Ph.D. must have been very enticing to you. Of course, who doesn’t want a prefix in their title? But when you study Ph.D., you must expect the unexpected.

IISc is a high-standard university and most of the times, you will have to burn the midnight oil to finish your research and writings. By morning, you’ll see some people taking their morning stroll already but you’re still there doing your job.

The secret of completing a Ph.D. journey in this university is the ability to develop a tough mind and heart. Sometimes, the Ph.D. life at IISc is so severe that it can really take a toll on you but you just have to more perseverant. This is the moment where you exercise your passion and reap fruits from your labor in the future.

You have to be REAL PASSIONATE about your research to survive here. After all, that’s your driving force.

Fact 3: Researchers / Professors  at IISc will not spoon feed you

IISc is home to great researchers of all time. But while you will find great researchers in your Ph.D. journey, not all of them are great teachers.

Why do I say that? You will know in the next few minutes

This is not elementary school where teachers will spoon feed you with information. Oftentimes, your professor will come into the room just to give you assignments and research pointers for you to study. Consequently, you’ll have to rely on your textbooks to learn scientific principles and proceed with your research. They know you don’t need spoon feeding so you won’t be spoon fed at all.

Fact 4: You’ll be dead from the neck up

This is the time when you realize why everyone said the best time of their life is “high school.” The reason for this is that the friends you met in high school often last longer than in college or post-graduate studies.

The fun side of getting a Ph.D. in Bangalore is the chance to meet new people. IISc is a culmination of great minds and a great attitude. Aside from fantastic academic opportunities, you’ll surely find great friends to party with. In fact, it’s very easy to gain friends at this university and you’ll suddenly find yourself getting very comfortable with almost everyone.

But here’s the hard truth – no matter how close you are to them when it comes to working. They are all professionals and you have to be one to survive here.

 Fact 5:  Your first research topic is not always the last

While IISCs if the best place for getting a Ph.D. in India, you won’t have 100 percent freedom in choosing your research topic.

Well, during your first semester you are expected to choose a research topic and present a short summary of why it’s sparked your interest.

However, a lot of changes can impact your research throughout the course of your journey. Sometimes, the project you want to take up doesn’t interest your supervisor anymore or another person has finished a similar study before you did.

Consequently, you have to abandon your research and choose another one. In your second year at IISCs, you will realize that you’ll have to compromise more often to complete your Ph.D.

Absolutely, it’s a tough and winding journey.

Fact 6: Peer pressure is real

Sadly, the grass will be always greener on the other side. That’s Human nature. While you’re stressed out running papers and beating research deadlines, you will see your ex-college classmates taking their dream vacation or buying their own house.

Then you’ll start questioning yourself whether you’ve made the right decision. Confusion often sets in whenever you go broke after spending so much on a research. Then as you look to the other side, your classmates are actually earning a 6-digit salary out of a regular job.

Remember this – there are always two sides to the coin. Peer pressure is one of the hardest challenges you’ll ever face when getting a Ph.D. in Bangalore. But the reward will be much more than what you’ve seen your peers after you graduate.

When you are looking at your College mates, remember they are just consumers of Science & Commerce. But you are the creator of Science. Your historic discovery makes the world a better place to live in. So keep going. There is a very very bright light across the tunnel

Fact 7:  Getting a Ph.D. at IISc can take 75 percent of your time

This is so true not only in IISc but in all universities in and out of India. Ph.D. requires you to be focused on your thesis. If you have a family, you are going to struggle in balancing time for your kids and spouse.

Sometimes, your research will require you to go to some places which will cut into your family obligations. So be prepared to be very busy. In fact, it’s the perfect time to budget your time wisely and minimize going to parties.

Also be prepared for relatives asking, “When are you going to finish?” You’ll be bombarded with a lot of stressors that can also add up to the time consumed by your Ph.D. journey. But keep your faith intact. The Best is yet to come.

Fact 8: Your level of concentration will fluctuate

On your first day of school, you will experience extreme motivation to top lab performance and finish research on time. But it’s not possible to maintain the same level of focus in the next three to four years.

Many Ph.D. candidates in IISc lose track out of various environmental stressors and psychological factors like peer pressure. In addition, aging factor and anxiety can really pull you down. This is why people say “getting a Ph.D. in IISc is only for tough people.” But aren’t you tough already? That’s how you got through your entrance exams. Isn’t it?

Fact 9: There’s a 90 percent chance you’ll experience depression

We’ve always known that failure is inevitable. But you won’t realize it until it happens to you.

While creating new scientific breakthroughs is a wholesome experience, it doesn’t always end up 100 percent successful. It could be possible that the data you’ve gathered is something 180 degrees different from what you’ve expected.

Sometimes, you’ll have to undergo 30 attempts before successfully arriving at the result you’ve aimed for so long. Even your supervisor may not be so friendly at all times and you’ll find yourself in a dead end.

As early as now, you need to summon as much courage as you can. There will be a lot of stake in this journey – your family, future, health, and finances. Yet, somehow you need to pass all of these. And you will because you have it in you. You are genetically engineered to survive in most tough conditions and that’s why you are a Human. The secret word here is; ADAPT

Fact 10: The student life at IISc is very demanding

On the bright side, IISCs has great infrastructures and research facilities. No wonder why it has been termed as one of the best universities for people who plan on getting a Ph.D. in India.

Consequently, you can expect to have a lot of complex research problems to solve. Great resources demand great minds. And for you to make the most of what IISc can offer is to do everything you can in your academic skills to leverage its facilities.

So there you go. These are all the secrets that you need to know about how it is like to study at IISc Bangalore.

Regardless of all the challenges, the best reward you can get is the chance to hone yourself better than any course can do.

Completing a Ph.D. is a difficult journey whether in IISc or in universities abroad, but once you come out of it, you are going to be much stronger and powerful. Your grass will be a lot greener and you’ll be reaping great rewards no one has ever can.

Companies, Institutes, and Labs will invite you to join them. But Are you ready for a Ph.D. @ IISc Bengaluru? Comment below with what you feel