PhD application - preparation

Following this link below we can know how to prepare application to apply PhD program in any Universities such as US, UK, Australia or Europe:
http://karts-speaks.blogspot.jp/p/applying-to-grad-school.html

Overview of application process: http://graddecision.org/Overview.html

Another advice from Anusha Mujimdar, PhD scholar in Control System, who show her answer in Quora: https://www.quora.com/What-should-I-do-now-to-get-admit-from-the-CMU-for-a-PhD-in-the-Robotics-Institute

1. Ask yourself the "why": what draws you to robotics, and why the CMU PhD program? Is it past experience with the group? Did you see their work somewhere and realise that's the kind of work you'd like to do during your PhD? This is the kind of brainstorming one would do for writing a statement of purpose, for example. The difference is you're not going to show this to anyone.

2. If you have reasonably convinced yourself (from step 1) that this is worth your time and effort, identify potential supervisors from within the group. The best way to do this is to look at their recent publications, and see if they align with your interests and the "why" you identified.

3. Once you have identified potential supervisors, read as many of their recent publications as you can. This is probably the hardest step, and one that gives you very little back in terms of instant gratification. It does have a proportionate value though. This will give you a very clear picture of what each researcher does, and whether or not you would like to be involved. Needless to say, you'll also learn a lot!

4. Connect your previous work with their research. You will need to be able to articulate how exactly you are useful to the group. Identify patterns. Does your past research give rise to an issue that can potentially be solved with the work of your advisor-to-be? Write this down.

5. Now (finally), email your potential advisor. Write very concisely who you are, what your research background is, and the connections to her/his research you found in steps 1-4. Mention specific publications (yours and theirs), if necessary. Be polite, but eager.

6. Wait for a reply. Please don't email several people in the same group all at once. If you get a reply that's not entirely positive, thank them for their time and ask politely if they could suggest another researcher who might be interested. Being gracious also ensures that they'll keep you in mind in case an opportunity does turn up.

7. If you get a positive reply, you're golden. Try to arrange a chat on phone or in person to discuss. Once a professor has made up her/his mind about a student, the admission procedure is usually (in my experience) a formality, and you'll likely be helped by your professor in completing it.