FAQs in Application

Importance of each component:

CGPA / GRE / TOEFL - The numbers

The college CGPA is a critical component of the admissions process. Typically universities and/or departments specify the minimum CGPA requirement on the websites. Many admissions committees will consider upward trends in grades. In general, the better your GPA, the better your chances of getting admitted. However, CGPA is not the only criterion for admission. It can be offset by several other factors. For instance, if your overall CGPA is on the lower side, but the grades in core courses (or the area of your interest) are good, it's a good idea to highlight them in the SOP. If you have work experience in the area of your application, it can work in your favour too.

Like the CGPA, GRE and TOEFL scores are sometimes used as filtration criteria. The higher the score, the better are the chances of crossing the barrier. It is highly unlikely that a GRE score can be used as a sole parameter in the admission decision. The GRE subject test is not required for the majority of programs, but it is required by some departments, such as Math, Biology and Physics. Some universities consider particularly the score in the speaking section of TOEFL for making TA (Teaching Assistant) allotment. So it's good to score as high as possible particularly in the speaking section.

Letters of Recommendation

For graduate studies, letters of recommendation are extremely important. Letters from academia are usually preferred by admission committees as faculty can truly ascertain your scholarly potential. However, a recommendation from anyone who has closely worked with you and knows you well professionally can be equally effective. These can be your managers at work/PS, guides/mentors at an internship etc.

Typically you need three letters of recommendation. A letter of recommendation can speak volumes about your academic and personal skills, which make you suitable for graduate studies.

Approach the faculty member and ask her/him if they are able to write a positive letter of recommendation for you. If they hesitate or say they can only write a neutral letter, approach someone else. Try not to write them on your own!

Provide the referees with additional material such as copies of your transcript, resume (or C.V.), your statement of purpose, etc. This can strengthen the letter they write for you. Make sure to give them all the proper forms and deadlines. Follow up with a note of thanks.

SOP

The statement of purpose is one of the most important parts of the application process. It is from this essay that the admissions committee will discern the seriousness of your intentions, your experience, and your motivation for graduate school.

Think of the statement of purpose as a composition with three different parts. The first part is a brief paragraph stating the program you want to study and your research focus. The second part should be a summary of your college experiences. Briefly describe what

brought about your interest in graduate study. Describe any research experience, clarifying your responsibilities, experimental results, and if you presented the findings at a conference or published them in a journal. You may be as specific as possible, as it is professors in your discipline who are reading this statement. The third and most important part of the essay discusses why you want to go to graduate school, what you wish to study (research), and ideally, whom you would like to work with. Perhaps you wish to address an issue or topic that hasn't been done before or expand an undergraduate research project. Professors are looking for students with scholarly potential and creative thinking. Departments seek students who have intellectual passion and serious intent towards graduate study.

SOP is one place where you can be as expressive as possible and convey to the admission committee things which are showcased in your transcripts and resume.

Resume and supporting material

A resume gives a snapshot view of your career. It is typically used to gather facts in your profile. Do not hesitate in providing additional information via your Resume/CV. If the SOP needs to be short, you can redirect the reader to your resume or personal webpage for factual details. If you have publications/presentations, make sure to mention those in the resume. Typically universities will mention a page limit for your resume. In any case, going beyond 2 pages is not recommended.

What are my chances?

To conclude, it's important to realize that the admission procedure is very subjective. There are so many factors involved in making a decision, that it is nearly impossible to predict the chances of getting through. The question arises, what can you as an applicant do to maximize your chances? Simply put, try to strengthen all the factors. Write a good SOP, maximize your test scores and try to get a good letter of recommendations. Even if your CGPA is on the lower side, there is no reason to feel disheartened. There are several other factors that you can use to make the overall profile stronger.

Approach people on LinkedIn who got admits to your shortlisted universities, check out their profiles. Another good resource is https://admits.fyi.

Other FAQs

Should you convert your GPA?

A word on converting CGPA to 4 point scale - many times it is not necessary to convert the CGPA to 4 point scale unless mentioned otherwise. If the university specifically asks for a GPA out of 4, watch out if they have any formula to do so. In case of any confusion, it's always good to ask the admissions department of the university

Should you use external agencies such as WES for conversion?

1. Note that all universities/ departments do not accept such conversions. Make sure you check with your respective departments before applying to WES

2. While many claim that the WES boosts up your GPA, remember that the tradeoff is the high costs involved. If you feel that the rest of your application is strong and the only place where you lack is a slightly lower CGPA, WES conversion may not be required. However, if you feel that a high CGPA is necessary for you to come off as a strong candidate, you may consider such options.

3. If you decide to go for WES services, remember to allocate sufficient time for the process.

Sending documents to universities

A few pointers are as follows:

1. If you are applying to two different departments in the same university, try to dispatch/post documents to the two departments separately. Ensure to read the instructions carefully, because different departments may need a different set of documents.

2. Most universities try to get a better chunk of information using their online application form, without waiting on additional documents that might reach them via snail mail. Hence, if the instructions ask to upload transcripts, scan them and do so. Most forms will have links to ask you for additional documents. Try to scan and upload all relevant documents. You may have already sent the GRE score to the university via ETS services, but if you have obtained the scorecards, you should scan them and upload them too.

3. Also, while submitting the scores via ETS, cross-check the department code and school code. The same goes for any other references of work that you might have mentioned in your resume or SOP. You might have a paper that describes your research work. It would be a good idea to send them a copy of the paper too. The more relevant information you can furnish in time, the better are your chances of getting an admit.

4. Additionally, some universities ask for a financial support document. Few universities would have their own form that could be filled out for the purpose. Remember, this document is essential to you to get your I-20 form (this is required to get a VISA interview appointment and beyond). Several times, this needs to be dispatched with your transcripts via snail mail, because this carries your signature. Though PhD admits should get funding, they must still furnish this form, if asked for. Few universities may accept this form at a later date too, but it’s better to send it along with the other documents.

5. For dispatching documents, cross-check with the admission checklist for the university and department. Once you have all the documents in place, send them through reliable postal services that give you the ability to track them as well. If sending documents to different schools in the same university, make different packages unless mentioned that you may send the documents for multiple application together. Double-check the addresses on outer envelopes.

6. Lastly, keep a copy of your final application. Just in case you might need it for quick reference. Also note down the contact information for the graduate school and the respective department, where you may call them if needed, for e.g. to confirm if your dispatched document reached (if the online application does not reflect the status).