Could I have a chance for a Phd program?

[ssacong]

Hi. I am an international student, and I finished my under graduate study in the USA a couple of months ago. While I was studying, I planned to go to a grad school, so I took the GRE test and asked my 3 professors for the recommendation letters before I come back to my country. I have been working in IT since graduation. What I originally wanted to do was to get into a grad school doing a master degree and get a job after graduation, but recently I started having a second thought and wanting to go for a Phd degree for some reasons.

 

1. better job market opportunity(both in my country and US)

2. less money(given many Phd stduents get a financiall support)

3. I like studying.

 

But, I am worried about that I don't have any publications or serious research experience.

 

so here are my questions.

1. is it possible for a under-graduated student(like me) to be accepted for an Phd course with no publication?

2. if so, what school would I hope any chances? any suggestion?

 

I would like to study Software Engineering. Here is my profile too

GRE - 590/770/3.5

GPA - 3.681 / 4.0 (from UNCW)

Tofel - As far as I know I am exempted from this since I did my under-grad study in US. Is that right?

2 months of working experience in mobile-platform solution company

 

Thanks for any help, comments, advices

[CalmLogic]

1. is it possible for a under-graduated student(like me) to be accepted for an Phd course with no publication?

Yes.

 

2. if so, what school would I hope any chances?

I don't know, but I would recommend spending a few extra hours here:

 

Edulix InfoBank | Your One Stop Source For Application Related Information!

 

I would look for CS departments that admit people without research experience.

 

any suggestion?

The only thing that comes to mind is UT Dallas, but I don't know how well they fund PhD students. And if you want to become a professor or work at a great research lab, it could be in your best interests to leave UT Dallas after the first year or two to apply for a PhD program at a higher ranking department.

 

(And I recommend you take the GRECS in November if you think you may do well after significant studying.)