Graduate Research Associate from Pakistan, Abdul Rehman, Shares His Journey of Pursuing a Fully Funded PhD in AI and Biomedical Research at The Ohio State University, USA

My name is Abdul Rehman, and I am originally from Pakistan. I am currently a Ph.D. Candidate and Graduate Research Associate at The Ohio State University, where I am pursuing graduate studies in a research-focused program at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biomedical research. I chose to pursue further education in this field because of my strong interest in applying AI to real-world problems, particularly in research and healthcare.

Graduate Research Associateship Details

I was offered a fully funded Graduate Research Associateship at The Ohio State University.

While this position does not have a formal “scholarship name,” it is a complete funding package offered directly by my research advisor, who is a Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple NIH-funded grants (including R01s and R21s).

The funding covers:

• Full tuition
• Health insurance for me and my dependents
• All research-related expenses
• A competitive stipend

The total value of this funding is approximately USD 85,000 per year.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

N/A

I was in discussions with a few professors at institutions in South Korea; however, once I received confirmation of this fully funded offer from Ohio State University, I decided not to pursue those opportunities further. This was the **only complete and confirmed offer** I received.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, with a CGPA of 3.94/4.00. I was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Gold Medal for outstanding academic performance.

Instead of a standard Final Year Project, I chose the thesis track, where I conducted research in machine learning during my final year. Additionally, I worked as a BS student researcher on a deep learning–based computer vision project. This strong research-focused undergraduate experience prepared me well for applying to a research-intensive graduate program.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Ohio State University?

I focused heavily on building research experience during my undergraduate studies. I worked on research projects, developed strong technical skills in AI and deep learning, and aligned my interests with faculty members working in similar areas. I also prepared a clear and focused academic CV and research statement tailored to each professor I contacted.

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Institutions?

I explored multiple scholarship platforms but learned that, especially for PhD and research-based programs, the most reliable way to secure full funding is by directly contacting professors who have active research grants.

I searched university websites to identify professors in my research area, reviewed their recent publications, and studied their lab webpages. This helped me identify professors who were both relevant to my interests and likely to be recruiting new students.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Yes, I took IELTS and the institution’s required Academic English Writing test.

I prepared for IELTS using free online resources and YouTube videos and did not enroll in any paid preparation courses.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Graduate Research Associateship?

Since this was a research assistantship rather than a traditional scholarship, my preparation focused on:

• Strengthening my research profile
• Gaining hands-on experience in ML and deep learning
• Demonstrating alignment with the professor’s ongoing research

My academic performance, research experience, and prior projects played the most important role.

How Is (Was) Your Experience at the Ohio State University?

Very well.

How Do You Rate the Ohio State University Academically and Why?

Excellent.

The Ohio State University has a strong research environment, world-class faculty, and extensive funding opportunities, especially in interdisciplinary and biomedical research.

How Does the Ohio State University Support International Students?

The university provides strong administrative, academic, and visa-related support for international students, along with access to healthcare, research resources, and professional development.

What Did You Pursue After the Scholarship?

Research.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

My strong academic record, research-focused undergraduate training, hands-on experience in machine learning and deep learning, and early involvement in research projects likely made my application stand out.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would follow exactly the same approach, as it proved effective.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Focus on research experience early, ideally during your bachelor’s degree. Try to work on publishable research projects and aim to contribute to at least one or two papers if possible.

Identify professors working in your desired research area by exploring university faculty pages and reading recent publications. For U.S. institutions, tools like NIH RePORTER can be extremely helpful. You can use it to review a professor’s active NIH grants (such as R01s and R21s), understand grant timelines, and assess lab size and funding stability. This makes it easier to identify professors who are well-aligned with your research interests and to assess whether the lab is actively recruiting and financially capable of supporting new students.

If you lack sufficient research experience, consider pursuing a fully funded master’s degree first (for example, in countries like Korea or China), as fully funded MS opportunities in the U.S. are rare, and visa processes for partially funded positions are becoming more difficult.