Sohel Rana, a graduate student in the Department of Politics and Government, will join the Ph.D. program in political science at Indiana University Bloomington with a full scholarship this fall. Rana was also accepted into doctoral programs at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and Western Michigan University.
He appreciates how the master’s program in political science at Illinois State University has prepared him for future career endeavors.
“The course structure, selected readings, methodological training, and efforts of the faculty members at ISU have well prepared me to get accepted in the country’s top Ph.D. programs,” he said.
As a first-generation college student, Rana arrived at ISU from Bangladesh with the dream of developing academic and professional skills to meet his career goals. He not only enjoyed living and studying on campus, but also appreciated the graduate program’s support of students.
Rana considers some core features of ISU’s program immensely beneficial to his career.
“I really liked the interdisciplinary nature, methodological training, and faculty-student work opportunities in the program,” he said.
He added that he liked that the program is designed to train students on both quantitative and qualitive research methodology.
“I got to learn many advanced teaching and research techniques by working as teaching/research assistant throughout the program.”
He expressed his gratitude that professors gave him the opportunity to publish his works.
“I really enjoyed working on my thesis which helped me extensively collaborate with thesis committee members and learn advanced research techniques.”
He appreciated how his committee members helped him throughout his thesis experience and the support he received from the department.
