Well Guys, I would like to be honest here, and I expect everybody to be the same.......at least with our own selves. I started on the PhD track after three years of contemplation, and am still a bit apprehensive about my chances of success. To be absolutely honest with you guys, just a few months back, I was seriously thinking of joining the ever growing ranks of MBA aspirants! The thought of giving CAT was already out of my list of options as I had already had the misfortune of getting the bitter taste of failure once before in my final year!!! But I was seriously considering GMAT and then finally decided on giving my GRE this year. To be candid there have been certain specific events and some external forces which have contributed towards my decision! But alas, I feel I should get into more deeper and more persistent issues rather than beat around the bush like a dork. So guys, on the behest of my good friend Sandeep, I am writing this post outlining the application process in its entirety. For more information on the specific parts of the process, do visit my blog for additional information and data. Also feel free to contact me anytime....................
1. The first step for your graduation dreams from the states involves two tests. Unlike any other entrance tests we have in India, these tests are not to test you on your knowledge. They are instrumental in deciding the prospective candidate’s ability to perform graduate studies in USA. Different parts of the examination deal with different characteristic traits of the person being tested and thereby, depending on the candidate, may prove a challenge or might happen to be just a piece of cake!!!!!
GRE: This exam involves three different sections. The verbal and the quantitative sections are valued individually on a scale 800 while the AWA section gives you a score out of 6 which is cumulative in nature. While the quantitative and verbal sections are computer adaptive in nature, the AWA section is separately evaluated by 4 proficient evaluators who provide separate scores which are then averaged to give your cumulative score. Thus the involvement of human factor makes it a tougher nut to crack, specially for those who are not proficient in English! Please refer to my blog
http://gradstudies.wordpress.com/ for further information. As far as quantitative and verbal sections go, the trick lies in practice and preparation. Though the tests are supposed to be standardized and therefore supposedly has no scope of improvement of scores, it is seen that consistent preparation can lead to significant boost in the scores. Please refer to my blog for information on preparatory material and tricks for higher scores!!!!
TOEFL is a mandatory test for most graduate courses in USA or Europe. The examination tests the candidate’s basic english proficiency through four different sections including reading, writing, listening and speaking section! The test is very simple and most Indians do adequately well in the examination without much trouble. I would soon add some information regarding the TOEFL test on my blog so do keep a lookout for the same. Many schools also accept IELTS scores. I am afraid I don’t have much information about the IELTS examination. Please use the link
http://www.ielts.org/ for more information regarding the same.
2. Well friends, clearing the tests and getting good scores will get you a step closer to getting into your dream schools. Next comes a part on which everybody has to start working on right from their freshman years in the undergraduate course....getting great grades. Mind you, I mentioned that the tests are only to test your capability to undertake graduate level courses. However you undergraduate GPA is the only measure of your subject knowledge and therefore should be the best possible. Apart from your undergraduate grades, papers and conferences at a national or international level adds significant credence to your application. So please do make sure that you put adequate effort in your undergraduate years to get into a good graduate program upon graduation. Actually this point should have been the first one I guess but I am just on a roll and therefore please bear with my dilapidated senses.
3. Well guys, with so much of ground work and a great profile to back you up, you would guess it’s almost done right!!? Well, am afraid there is still a long way to go! Next comes the issue of schools and the courses of your interest. Start accumulating information and contacting the faculty or researchers whose research areas stimulate you! Talk about where you are from and why you are interested in their work. It is important not to just give your profile and ask for some really stupid question like whether you have any chance or not. This tactic would surely never work, especially with the professors from good grad schools. (note: I am myself not an expert on this issue as I never had the time nor the intention of using it! Though I must concede that it can do wonders in making your ordinary application an unexpected success story)
4. Well once you have everything set and ready to roll, start looking in depth into the courses you like and also start accumulating relevant information regarding the department and projects. Start formulating essays and also contact the professors, mentors for providing you your recommendations. For more tips on essay writing and on how to choose guides please visit my blog
http://gradstudies.wordpress.com/.
5. Start filling the online applications. If need be, then just fill them to gauge the type of questions being asked and then don’t save the said applications. Once applications are filled, submit the same after thoroughly checking them for any mistakes or anomalies. Then make the necessary online payment and make sure that you keep copies of your filled application and your payment confirmation.
6. Note down the different school (department) and graduate admissions office requirements and then confirm to them as best as possible. Send the required scores and application material/ supporting documents to the specified addresses!
7. Follow up on your application materials by mailing your graduate dept. Or admissions office as specified by the university website! Please give the schools around 10-15 days to get all your relevant information entered and then they typically forward the applications to the specific schools. Make sure that the graduate admissions office knows about the application being with them (mail them) and also make sure that you keep any professor informed about your application status if you are in contact with a specific researcher!!!!
Guess this follows months of praying and nail biting which would finally culminate in a few (if not many) admission offers, aid offers and i20’s. Best of luck to all prospective graduate students and please feel free to comment or visiting my blog
For more information:
mail id:
saintdeb@gmail.comwebpage:
http://gradstudies.wordpress.com/
