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

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Objective of the Session

The Application Timeline

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Take GRE Exam

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Research on Universities

SOPs

Recommendation

Transcript

VISA & Finance

Fall Vs Spring Intake

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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

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Short listing Schools

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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

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Geography

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• 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

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• 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

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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

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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

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What do Adcoms look for?

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Application

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1. Academic Potential - CGPA/ UG%

2. Internship/ Work Experience– Recos

3. Diversity– Recos

4. Goal clarity - SOP

1. Academic Potential

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• 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

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3. Diversity

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• 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?

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Recommendation Letters

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Choosing your Recommenders

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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

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