All about applying to masters programs in US
-
Upload
crackverbal -
Category
Education
-
view
39 -
download
1
Transcript of All about applying to masters programs in US
MS Applications
• Why is this session important
• Timelines (Fall Vs Spring intake)
• Selecting Universities
• What do Adcoms lookout for
• Your application checklist
2
Objective of the Session
The Application Timeline
3
Take GRE Exam
4
Research on Universities
SOPs
Recommendation
Transcript
VISA & Finance
Fall Vs Spring Intake
5
Fall intake starts late August ends late December or early January whereas
Spring intakestarts in January and ends in early May
There are some courses that commence during fall. So you need to make sure when to apply based on the courses you are interested in.
Advantages of Fall intake : Most of financial assistance in form of TA, RA or on campus jobs are available during fall intake
6
Short listing Schools
7
8
Specialisation
Geography
Chance of Admission Budget
Specialisation
• Check if a department in your field of specialisation exist
• Look at the various electives offered
• Look at allied masters program exists
• Look at the background of the faculty & Phd programs provided
9
Geography
10
• Why does this matter?
• Big city (NYU Stern or Chicago Booth) versus small town
(Dartmouth Tuck or Virginia Darden)?
• Career opportunities (Technology – West Coast schools such as
Stanford, Berkley, UCLA; Finance – New York schools such as
Stern or Columbia)
• Career Opportunity (Healthcare - Boston University..
Chance of Admission
11
• Your target school’s Average GRE: 320
• If you have 320+ Safe
• If you have 310 – 315 Reach
• If you have < 300 Stretch
• Recommended Mix
• 2 Stretch
• 2 Reach
• 2 Safe
Budget
• Count your money.
• TA & GA availability
• Scholarships
• Loans available
• Living Cost
12
Cost of doing an MS
• American Universities : will charge the student for the education. School’s tuition depends on the number of credit hours you take in a semester. Usually, one course is considered as 3 credit hours (In most of the univs). For example if you attend 3 courses in one semester, it is equivalent to 9 credit hours. Thus you have to pay tuition for the 9 credit hours in the first semester.
Low tuition schools will charge you less than $ 6000 per 9 credit hours or per semester.Average Tuition school means 6000 to 7500 per 9 credit hours or per semesterHigh tuition schools will charge you above 7500 per 9 credit hours or per semester
Most of the Schools ask you to take 12 courses to• complete the masters degree which means 12*3 = 36 credit hours. Number of credit hours varies from university to university.
13
Example of the credit system
MS in Computer Science Program
The Master of Science (MS) program is intended for people who wish to broaden and deepen their understanding of computer science. The department currently offers concentration tracks covering eight such disciplines. MS students are encouraged to participate in state of the art research with our research groups and labs.
All students must complete the following requirements:Complete a total of 30 points.Maintain at least a 2.7 overall GPA.
Take at least 6 points of technical courses at the 6000-level. Only up to 3 points of your degree can be non-CS/non-technical courses. Non-CS/non-technical courses must be approved by your advisor. See track webpages for more information.
14
Cost of doing an MS
• Australia : Average cost per year of study in Australia for international students is AU$41,480 (US$38,516), which breaks down to AU$27,320 (US$25,375) for fees and AU$14,148 (US$13,140) for cost of living. But tuition fees in Australia vary considerably depending on where and what you study, and the level you will be studying at.
• Canada : Fees for a Masters in Canada will vary considerably depending on which institution you choose and can range from CDN$7,000 ($6,295) to CDN$25,000 ($22,485).
15
Application Checklist• A completed application form
• A $50 application fee
• Essays
• SOPs
• Resume or CV
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcript(s)
• Portfolio or Writing Sample (recommended)
• Interview with the Associate Dean
(Optional depending on the academic program; students will be contacted by the department if an interview is needed)
• IELTS or TOEFL
• GRE Score
16
How do deadlines look like?
Application Deadlines: Fall Term Application DeadlinesPriority 1 – March 1Priority 2 – May 1Rolling – August 1
Spring Term Application DeadlinesPriority – October 15Rolling – December 1
17
What do Adcoms look for?
18
Application
19
1. Academic Potential - CGPA/ UG%
2. Internship/ Work Experience– Recos
3. Diversity– Recos
4. Goal clarity - SOP
1. Academic Potential
20
• Your Undergraduate Institute
• Your Undergraduate CGPA
• Your GRE Scores
• Any Patents or Research Work
2. Internship/ Work experience
• Your career progression &performance
• Pedigree of your employer
• Is a bigger company always better?
• Your Roles & Responsibilities
21
3. Diversity
22
• Demographics (Country/Gender/Industry)
• Personal Perspectives
• Unique Hobbies, Interests or Skills
4. Goal clarity
• Where do you want to go? (Short-term & Mid-term)
• Why do you want to go there?
• Why are you the best person to reach there?
• Why do you want to do an MS to get there?
• Why do you want to do an MS from XYZ for this?
• Why do you want to go there now?
23
Recommendation Letters
24
Choosing your Recommenders
25
Tip #1: Giving recommenders enough lead-time or background.
Tip #2: What if your recommender insists on you writing it yourself. Make sure to not to maintain same tone & style.
Prep the recommender:
•A copy of your resume and essays. •A bulleted list of the key messages and incidents you want
mentioned
Question & Answers
26
Lets stay in touch
www.facebook.com/CrackVerbal Follow us for the latest news in the GRE & Masters
world (& lots of exciting contests)! www.twitter.com/AskCrackVerbal Tweet to us @AskCrackVerbal using
#CrackVerbal
www.linkedin.com/company/crackverbalNetwork with successful Masters and GRE
candidates
www.youtube.com/user/crackverbalvideosWatch GRE strategy videos + OG solutions
www.gre.crackverbal.com/blog/Read faculty opinion, GRE/Masters tips & successful student
interviews
28