Fall 2018 – 91ȱ Blog /blog Your Online Academy For Better Scores & Best Admits Mon, 25 Apr 2022 10:42:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.2 /blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/favicon-01-150x150.png Fall 2018 – 91ȱ Blog /blog 32 32 Fall 2018: 10 Great Universities You Can STILL Apply to! /blog/fall-universities-with-late-deadlines/ /blog/fall-universities-with-late-deadlines/#comments Tue, 13 Feb 2018 16:12:15 +0000 https://www.greedge.com/blog/?p=3293 If you are planning to pursue graduate studies abroad, it is not too late yet to follow your dreams for Fall 2018! The thumb rule...

The post Fall 2018: 10 Great Universities You Can STILL Apply to! appeared first on 91ȱ Blog.

]]>
If you are planning to pursue graduate studies abroad, it is not too late yet to follow your dreams for Fall 2018! The thumb rule is to prepare in time and apply early, but there are universities with their deadlines coming up between January and March, some deadlines are as far away as June. No! they are not all un-ranked or unheard of institutes. Just like you don’t judge a book by its cover, don’t judge a university by its deadline. Read on to know more about how you can still plan for Fall 2018.

Firstly, let us address the ‘apply early’ dictum.

As it is with all things, it is always wise to plan your application process early. It helps to get your documents ready in time and to apply a little before the deadline. This helps gain time to tackle any eventualities and keep your mind tension-free. There are quite a few steps that go into this process, starting from your 91ȱ/TOEFL/IELTS/GMAT preparations to filing your online application. This is why it is recommended to get going early.

Further, a few universities have a scholarship or financial deadline, which usually falls around mid-November or December. Understandably, many of us would want to target that deadline and so we prepare early.

But here are a few revelations that are hidden between these lines.

Did you know?

  • Only a few top universities have their deadlines in the period of November–December
  • You can try for scholarships and financial aid even after you get admitted into the university
  • There are universities that have ‘rolling admissions’
  • There are many known universities in the US with deadlines in the period from January to March
  • Some universities in the US have their deadlines in the month of June too
  • Early deadlines do not mean early decisions!
  • The final deadline for some coveted universities are yet to pass

So, the good news is: You don’t have to wait for Spring’19 or Fall’19 to get going! You can start today. But first, you need to shatter the myth that only the bottom-tier universities have late deadlines in the months ahead.

Have a look at this table to review some options that are still on the table:

Excited to apply to these universities and more?
Get expert guidance to complete your applications before deadlines CLOSE!

What you see above are just a few popular options that are available. There are many more options still out there that could be suitable for your profile. So let us chalk out a plan to make the most of this admission season.

How Can You Plan to Meet These Late Deadlines?

#1: Ensure you give your 91ȱ/GMAT and language exams soon.

January–February is a good time to do so if you want to target the deadlines from mid-February. As you can report your score free of cost to some universities at the time of such exams. Use those options wisely to save time.

#2: Apply and arrange for your transcripts, mark sheets, and degrees.

Your transcripts are an official statement of marks issued by your university that have the attestation and stamp of your Controller of Examinations or Registrar. They must be in a signed and sealed envelope and it will be wise to apply and arrange for as many original copies as the number of universities you plan to apply to. These documents are different from the mark sheets you were issued when you graduated or passed each semester. You will need attested copies of your semester-wise mark sheets and degrees too. Often universities can take anywhere from a week to a month or even more to issue the transcripts. So, apply for them soon to have the documents with you in good time.

#3: Work on a master draft of your SOP.

As time is of essence, here is a hack to ensure you are well prepared for all the qualitative questions that the university application forms might ask. Prepare a strong master draft of your Statement of Purpose covering your academics, work experience, projects, achievements, career objectives, and purpose of applying for your masters. This is a time-consuming process. With this document ready, you can borrow from this to trim and form an SOP that will meet the university’s requirements (word limits and some specific essay questions).

#4: Finalize your choice of universities.

If you already have your scores with you, this could be a good starting point for your plans. You can shortlist 6–8 universities that suit your profile and background after studying their courses, deadlines, admission requirements, and past admit trends. This requires extensive research as the options are many. It is not just a question of choosing based on ranks, you also need to look for options where you have a good chance of making a cut.

Apart from self-research, it will help to speak to your seniors, well-wishers, and relatives abroad. There are also dedicated groups and pages on social media that discuss popular universities abroad.

#5: Fill in and submit the online application form.

Once you know your options. You are done with the biggest part of your applications. The final step is to actually fill in and submit your application form. This step requires a lot of care and precision. Be sure of what you enter and review your form at least two or three times before submitting. Do check if you have uploaded the right documents. It is advisable to finish the online application process a few days before the final deadline.

#6: Report your official scores and dispatch the documents packet.

The final leg of your application process is the official score reporting and couriering your documents, such as transcripts and degree (if the university asks for them). Be sure to use the right university and/or department codes while you are reporting your scores. Another point to note is that it is advisable to mention the reference number generated after the submission of the online application on your documents packet to ensure it is added to your application file quickly.

Every step is important and needs to be completed with utmost care and precision. But some planning and hard work can surely see you through this multi-step process.

There may have been many reasons that delayed your plans or you might have just recently decided to apply abroad. Whatever be the reason, there is no need to hold back and wait for the next admission season when you have options to do them right now too!

So, it is time to get started and with a positive attitude, some hard work, and the right guidance you can definitely make it to a world-class graduate program this season itself.

Comment below and let us know if you have any questions. We’ll be happy to answer them all! 🙂

The post Fall 2018: 10 Great Universities You Can STILL Apply to! appeared first on 91ȱ Blog.

]]>
/blog/fall-universities-with-late-deadlines/feed/ 5
University Review: The University of British Columbia /blog/university-british-columbia/ /blog/university-british-columbia/#comments Wed, 16 Aug 2017 16:09:12 +0000 https://www.greedge.com/blog/?p=2910 Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia is the oldest institute of higher education and learning in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Spread...

The post University Review: The University of British Columbia appeared first on 91ȱ Blog.

]]>
Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia is the oldest institute of higher education and learning in the province of British Columbia, Canada.

Spread across two campuses in Vancouver and Okanagan Valley, UBC is home to more than sixty-thousand students in its various faculties— Arts, Science, Applied Science, Medicine and Business.

UBC has consistently ranked in the top three research universities in Canada, and enjoys a strong reputation worldwide. In the 2017 QS University Rankings, UBC holds the 51st rank worldwide, and the 53rd rank for its Engineering faculty. The US News and World Report ranked the University among the top 20 public universities in the world in 2015.

UBC’s enduring heritage of academic greatness has, over the past century, produced a number of Nobel Prize winners, Rhodes Scholars, and most notably, the incumbent Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

With more and more Indian students choosing Canada over the USA for their higher studies options, UBC emerges as the perfect choice for the academically inclined, yet financially prudent grad school aspirant.

Cofnused between US or Canada for your Masters? Get an ebook compiled by admissions experts, with the comparison! Download your “USA vs Canada” eBook now!

Admission Requirements for Master’s at UBC

With an acceptance rate of 52.4%, UBC is quite stringent with its acceptance, choosing to only admit students who have in the past demonstrated extraordinary academic abilities and intellectual stamina. Therefore, a strong academic record is a must-have.

The admissions requirements at UBC are extremely straight-forward. As an International applicant to any graduate programme to UBC, you are required to have:

  • A four-year undergraduate degree in the related discipline
  • A minimum grade of 65% overall, or a minimum GPA of 8 out of 10

In addition to that, students are required to have the following:

  • Completion of the online application form and payment of the application fees
  • Official university transcripts
  • Three Letters of Recommendation from former employers or professors
  • Evidence of English language proficiency:
    – a minimum of 6.5 in the IELTS OR
  • a minimum of 90 in the TOEFL iBT (with 22 reading, 21 writing, 22 listening, and 21 speaking) OR
  • The paper-based TOEFL, with a minimum of 55 in Reading, Listening and Writing and 4.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE)
  • 91ȱ test scores
  • Statement of Intent (if applicable)

Application Deadlines at UBC

Unlike schools in the US, Canadian universities are usually more relaxed when it comes to application deadlines. At UBC, for instance, if you wish to apply for the Winter ’18 intake (starting January), you are expected to apply no later than August. This gives you plenty of time to finalise your applications and prepare your documents.

Here is a snapshot of the 2018 deadlines for various MS programmes:

Canada is well-known for its highly subsided, quality higher education, which makes studying abroad in Canada a wonderful option for those who want a world-class education without breaking the bank.

Want to know upcoming deadlines of top universites? Get your ultimate guide to all Top 20 University Deadline! Grab your copy!

Tuition fees and Funding at UBC

  • Tuition

As an international applicant, you will be expected to pay the ‘Schedule A’ fees, spread across three instalments in a year. For each instalment, you will have to pay $2812 (Rs 1.45 lakh approximately), or $8436 (Rs 4.35 lakh) per annum.

The tuition fee for an MS degree, therefore, will set you back by approximately 8.7 lakh. A number of generous scholarships, loans and bursaries are to make your education at UBC more affordable.

UBC also offers programs to meritorious students to help meet their financial responsibilities.

  • Living expenses

Depending on your programme of choice and your personal circumstances, living expenses at UBC will cost you about $26,727 annually (13.7 lakh). Of course, this is only an approximate figure-if you decide to work part-time, or if you are awarded a Teaching/Research Assistantship, this number will change accordingly.

UBC also has a Work Learn programme in place, which allows all UBC students to undertake a wage-based part-time position on campus, to bring down the cost of living considerably.

Life at UBC

UBC is situated in the heart of Vancouver, one of Canada’s busiest, most culturally diverse cities. Embraced by the North Shore Mountains on one side and the scenic Mount Baker to the other, Vancouver is home to a beautifully diverse arts, culture, nightlife and music scene.

Nature enthusiasts can satiate their thirst for the outdoors by whale-watching at the Georgia Straits, sturgeon-fishing at the Fraser River, or simply biking down Vancouver’s gorgeous cobble stoned streets. Whatever your taste and preference, Vancouver truly has something for everyone.

Residence

UBC boasts of the largest university residence in Canada, with more than 12,000 students living in 13 residence halls.

Depending on your budget and preferences, a number of comfortable student residence halls are available to you, including Marine Drive, Fraser Hall and Thunderbird. Most halls come equipped with WiFi, dishwasher, pest control, laundry and other utilities.


Health

UBC takes a proactive approach to student health and well being, and believes good health to be at the heart of academic performance. Registered doctors and nurses are available on campus round the clock to provide physical health care (like allergy shots, immunisation and surgery) as well as mental health services including counselling.

Additionally, nurses from the Student Health Service set up booths around the campus each week, where students can drop in at their convenience and get tips, information and advice regarding their personal health.

Safety

To foster a greater sense of campus safety, a number of blue phones are installed at various points in the campus, and can be used in times of distress to ask for directions, to report a case of crime or harassment, or to talk to a health expert if you are feeling ill.

Additionally, Safe Walk is a transport service which accompanies students, teachers and visitors who feel unsafe walking alone, across campus.

The Office of the Ombudsperson is an impartial, confidential resource for students, and works to ensure a safe, just and respectful environment for students by taking complaints and arranging appointments with students.

Dining

With more than 40 restaurants, cafes, bistros and food trucks scattered around campus offering a plethora of gastronomical delights, students at UBC never run out of dining options.

Be it Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza or the Canadian favourite Tim Hortons, UBC has the choicest of culinary options just a stone’s throw from you.

Alternatively, you could opt for one of the three available meal plans and save up to 12% on dining every semester.

Student Societies

Your life outside the classroom is paramount to your overall development and well being, and UBC truly understands this. With more than 370 student clubs and societies catering to a wide range of interests-be it foosball, astronomy or cooking-you can be sure to find a niche for yourself and meet like-minded students.

In your free time, don’t forget to cheer on for the Thunderbirds, UBC’s varsity basketball team!

Campus Life

Image Credits; http://vancouver.housing.ubc.ca/residences/ritsumeikan-ubc-house/

It would be a vast understatement to say that UBC has one of the most exciting campus lives in Canada. From social mixers, concerts, spring break trips to quiz nights, bake sales, yoga workshops and art exhibitions, the UBC campus is almost always brimming with activities and events. Don’t believe us? Take a look at their events ! Additionally, the UBC campus is home to a number of museums and galleries, including the MOA (Museum of Anthropology), the Morris and Helen Belkin gallery, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum and the Pacific Museum of the Earth, all of which are open to students and visitors 365 days a year.

Jobs and Opportunities

The UBC Students Services is a central source of student career development and welfare. It is dedicated to positioning students in exciting jobs in and around campus.

CareersOnline is the online job portal for students and employers alike, and allows you to find the job or volunteering opportunity most suited to your qualifications and requirements.


We hope you found this University Review helpful! If you are keen about applying to the University of British Columbia and are unsure of how to proceed, you may get in touch with the admissions experts at 91ȱ ( …formerly 91ȱedge), who will be happy to guide you.

We wish you all the best!

A number of career events and workshops are held throughout the year to help students boost their chances of employment.

Want a step by step guide to your MS Application? Get an ebook compiled by admissions experts, outlining all the steps you need to take to make a perfect application Download your eBook now!

Coming up next, we’ll look at a university all the way across the other continent – Europe. Comment and let us know which university you’re looking forward to next!

The post University Review: The University of British Columbia appeared first on 91ȱ Blog.

]]>
/blog/university-british-columbia/feed/ 1
Top 10 mistakes to avoid while writing your SOP! /blog/top-10-mistake-sop/ /blog/top-10-mistake-sop/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:39:40 +0000 https://www.greedge.com/blog/?p=2123 The Statement of Purpose or the Personal Statement is an essay that you are required to submit while seeking admission in a university for any...

The post Top 10 mistakes to avoid while writing your SOP! appeared first on 91ȱ Blog.

]]>
The Statement of Purpose or the Personal Statement is an essay that you are required to submit while seeking admission in a university for any level of study. Usually spanning 500 to 1000 words, this all-encompassing document outlines your academic and professional achievements, your aspirations as well as the role of the university in helping you achieve them. Additionally, itis one of the building blocks to a great application.

Did you know that 91ȱ alumnus, Abhas Agarwal secured an admit at Colorado School of Mines (ranked #3) for MS in Petroleum Engineering with a 309 in 91ȱ and a 6.4 GPA, because of a persuasive SOP?

What does the SOP entail?

A good SOP covers four major aspects, namely: who you are, what you have done so far, what you want to do, i.e., your academic as well as professional aspirations and how the university can help you. Each of these four aspects must be weaved together cohesively and clearly in order to provide an idea to the admissions officer of what you are like as a student and a person. This is the reason why the SOP can either make or break your chances at an acceptance letter.

How important is an SOP?

In short, very important indeed! The SOP is absolutely paramount to a successful application, mainly because it sets you apart from other students with similar academic qualifications and professional aspirations. It is your one chance to prove your worth and secure your admissions; so the better your SOP, the more your chances of your application being successful. A winning SOP also opens the doors to excellent scholarship and teaching/research assistantship opportunities.

Additionally, for students with a weak academic profile, a good SOP can compensate for what they lack and will serve to highlight their future ambitions and goals. So whether you are an average student who is concerned about your MS aspirations, or an achiever who wants to obtain the best possible scholarships, a stellar SOP will be the ticket to your dream.

10 mistakesto avoid while writing your SOP

Now that we have established what the SOP is and how it impacts your applications, let us look at the ten most common mistakes made by students while drafting their SOP, and how you can avoid them.

#1 Working on the SOP in the last minute

Often, students tend to underestimate the time and effort it takes to write the SOP, and think they can spend a few hours copy-pasting from sample SOPs from the internet. We strongly recommend that you start brainstorming on your SOP at least a month before you have to send your applications. Write as many rough drafts as you need with improvements on each draft. Whatever you do, remember that the SOP is a product of much deliberation and planning, and cannot be left for the eleventh hour.

SOP-line

View the 20-Day SOP Timeline Here!

Day 1:Identify your motivation for higher studies.

Questions you should ask yourself:

    • Why doyou want to do this course?
    • WhyUS or any country that you are planning to pursue?
    • Is it inline with your career goals?
    • Why is this university your best option?
    • Is it worth investing a lot of money and time?

Day 2 – 4:Identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Ask yourself:

  • Are there any incidents that demonstrate my strengths?
  • Have I achieved something significant that will help me get this admit?
  • Are there any weaknesses that I should address?
  • Are there any challenges in life which I have overcome/ working on it?

Day 5: Make an outline of your SOP.

  • Decide how to prioritize your academic, research or work experience
  • Decide which part of resume to ignore and what to add

Day 6 – 10: IBC Approach

  • Come up with an Introduction, Body and Conclusion paragraph
  • Introduction should consist of a strong opening hook (Read down to see a sample)
  • Body paragraphs should consist of your most significant achievements in detail
  • Conclusion should not be a summary but a memorable closing sentence

Day 11 – 15:Complete the first draft of your SOP

  • 1500 word raw essay
  • Including all the points from brainstorming with minimal concern for flow (zero editing)

Day 15 – 20: Final draft

  • Minimum 3 to 4 iterations till the word limit reaches 800 to 1200
  • Ensure that the flow of the essay leads perfectly to your career aspirations
  • Ensure that the right university details are provided from authentic sources
  • Ensure that there are no grammatical errors

91ȱ Admission Tip: Do the 3C Check – Concise, Coherent & Compelling!

#2Weak introduction and conclusion

The first impression makes a lasting impression. Since the introduction is the first thing that anyone ever reads, making it impactful will impress the reader and hold his attention. Similarly, to ensure that the admissions committee reads through your entire 1000-word essay, start with a powerful line like a quote that summarizes your academic experience or one that reflects your mindset, thinking, or aspirations.

Similarly, how you end your SOP also matters because that is the very last thing a reader takes away from your essay. Wrap it up by mentioning what your expectations from the university are, and how you hope to contribute to the university. Your conclusion must show your knowledge of the university and the program you are applying for.

For example,tap into reality!

In this rapid change of globalization one must be giving a serious thought to reason why so fast? I think one of the dominant factors that is tending to cause a considerable change in the world is unquestionably the field of civil engineering, where the brick works are in a race to touch the sky.

We travel places and the first thing that portrays the social status and gives us the idea of a City is the infrastructure especially due to innovation in field of structures.

Or, if you want to write something shorter, use a quote!

My favourite words are possibilities, opportunities and curiosity. I think if you are curious, you create opportunities, and then if you open the doors, you create possibilities- Mario Testino

#3Using informal language and slangs

Use professional language. Ensure that your tone is polite, formal, and respectful. Keep in mind that your grammar and vocabulary are good. Your essay will be read by a panel of distinguished academics. Avoid using slang, abbreviations, and informal vocabulary. Your sentences should be concise and clear. Additionally, use only words and phrases you are comfortable and familiar with. Do not try to embellish your writing with lofty words.

#4Dwelling too much on your weak GPA or backlogs

Talking about backlogs and low GPA is all about circumstances. It is a subjective question and it varies from profile to profile. A general rule of thumb to follow is that you must maintain positivity and highlight your learning from the experience. Therefore, mention your backlogs or low GPA only if you had extraordinary circumstances such as ill-health, genuine lack of interest etc.Do not try to justify or make excuses for your poor academic performance; show it instead as the start of something better. Positivity is a must, for it speaks volumes about you.

91ȱ Admission Tip: Be sure to consult an admission expert before deciding to include this information in your SOP because this could potentially be a deciding factor between an admit and a reject. It takes years of experience in dealing with universities to clearly understand where to draw the line.

#5Exceeding the word limit

Usually, the university will specify the word limit you must follow; if it is not mentioned on the website, it is always a good idea to try and contact the admissions office via email and ask them about it. Otherwise, try to limit it to 500 to 1000 words. A long SOP that solely focuses on your achievements will not hold the attention of the admissions committee who are reviewing close to 10,000 applications every season.

sop3

#6Including irrelevant information

Your SOP is not your autobiography! The sole purpose of an SOP is to explain just enough about you and what you have done so that you can secure an admit. Don’t digress from the point and divulge personal information about your family background, financial circumstances, personal anecdotes, etc., unless it is actually pertinent to the purpose of studying Master’s abroad.

#7Making the SOP excessively flashy

This covers two important aspects of your SOP: content and font.

Content: While it is important to talk about your achievements, it is even more important not to be boastful. You must present your learning while you state your experience/educational qualification. This will show that you are curious, learning-oriented, and humble.

Font: Using bold, italics, underlines, highlights, bright colours, and fancy fonts is a strict no-no. Use a simple font and basic formatting, and do not use any color other than black. Your SOP should look clean, minimalistic, and clutter-free.

91ȱ Admission Tip:To ensure absolute readability, use fonts like Arial, Verdana, or Times New Roman in a standard size like 12. You can be creative and quirky without being immature. Always remember, less is more when it comes to your SOP.

#8Excessive flattery

The university and the professors reviewing your applications are aware that the quality of education and infrastructure they provide; so, do not waste your words on flattering them. Your SOP is all about you and your achievements and aspirations, and is not a mouthpiece for advertising the university.

However, be sure to include your expectations from the university by stating specifics such as current areas of research or distinguished professors under whom you would like to work. This shows that you are logical, practical, and have conducted thorough research before making an informed decision. It will also come in handy during VISA interviews when you are asked about why you chose this particular university among all other admits.

#9Being dishonest

Honesty and authenticity are the hallmarks of a good SOP, and will always be appreciated. Avoid making up or exaggerating facts, and write it like it is. Remember, there is always a chance that the admissions panel will contact your referee and ask for verification! Remain truthful and honest at all times: being genuine and candid are qualities that will never go out of fashion.

91ȱ Admission Tip:If you have a genuine story that sparked your interest in a particular field, by all means, talk about it briefly. But never falsify a story to ensure your SOP stands out from the crowd.

#10Not proofreading and editing

Once you are done with your SOP and have edited it to your satisfaction, give it to your friend, family member, or an expert to go through it once.

Proofreading ensures that you avoid making the following errors:

  • Spelling mistakes
  • Punctuation errors
  • Improper grammar
  • Repeat your points
  • Incoherent flow from one para to the next

A third person will always be able to spot errors better than you. Additionally, ask them for their opinions and feedback and try to incorporate the, into your final draft. These final tweaks and edits are as important as the essay itself. Never make the blunder of sending your SOP without thoroughly proofreading every single word of it.

We hope this article will help you craft the perfect SOP! Comment below and ask us any doubt you have regarding admissions and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

The post Top 10 mistakes to avoid while writing your SOP! appeared first on 91ȱ Blog.

]]>
/blog/top-10-mistake-sop/feed/ 51
Fall 2018: How to Research & Shortlist Universities For Your Profile /blog/how-to-research-and-shortlist-university/ /blog/how-to-research-and-shortlist-university/#respond Thu, 07 Jul 2016 14:32:31 +0000 https://www.greedge.com/blog/?p=1481 If you have recently received your 91ȱ Scores, we bet that you are busy navigating through the tonnes of information available on various universities to...

The post Fall 2018: How to Research & Shortlist Universities For Your Profile appeared first on 91ȱ Blog.

]]>
If you have recently received your 91ȱ Scores, we bet that you are busy navigating through the tonnes of information available on various universities to apply for your graduate studies. This is indeed a critical decision, so the confusion and anxiety surrounding it is understandable.

You will be facing this decision 3 times in the course of your applications abroad:

  • While selecting universities to which you will be reporting your 91ȱ Scores
  • After your 91ȱ scores have arrived
  • When you have to choose among received admits.

Of these three stages, the second one is the most difficult. Shortlisting Universities is an important process that needs to be approached with much planning and research. This is because this decision will determine the chances of your admits and through that the course of your life in the years to come. Since you will be spending a good amount of money applying to each university, your options maybe limited. Naturally, you would like to opt for the universities where chances of a positive outcome are high.

If you are perplexed by the task at hand, don’t worry, here’s a plan of action that will help streamline your search for universities.

To begin with, let us understand the basic principles for shortlisting universities:

  1. The most critical aspect is to understand your profile
  2. The choices that you make among the limited options, should maximize our chances of admissions
  3. Depending on your budget and other factors, you need to decide the maximum number of universities that you will be applying to
  4. Shortlist universities based on your profile, not on the basis of the university’s reputation and/or acceptance rate
  5. Do not take all the information you get at face value. Be skeptical, verify the data you find online

First of all, you need to be aware of your 91ȱ Score, CGPA, Research experience, Practical exposure and TOEFL/IELTS Score. This is to understand your strengths and identify challenges if any such as- low 91ȱ, backlogs, mediocre CGPA, lack of research experience.

To simplify the process of selecting universities, we will use the 91ȱ Score as a criterion to determine our approach. We can have 3 unique cases in this regard:

  1. 91ȱ Score below 300
  2. 91ȱ Score between 300- 320
  3. 91ȱ Score above 320

Let‘s chart out the course of action for each of these instances.

91ȱ Score below 300

Applicants with a 91ȱ Score below 300 have several questions running through their mind.

The first one is “whether I should go ahead with this score or not”.

[Read]: Should you retake 91ȱ if you have a score of 300 or less?

This is because the general understanding is that most universities have a 91ȱ Requirement of 300 and more.

Firstly, you need to know that the universities have individual criteria for your Quant, Verbal and AWA Score. Secondly, there are always ways to plan out your options if you’re ready to accept the limitations while choosing. For instance, with this score, it might not be possible to get an Ivy League University. But this can’t be said in a general sense. Let us dig deeper to understand whether you can apply or not.

Secondly, there are always ways to plan out your options if you’re ready to accept the limitations while choosing. For instance, with this score, it might not be possible to get an Ivy League University. But this can’t be said in a general sense. Let us dig deeper to understand whether you can apply or not.

But this can’t be said in a general sense. Let us dig deeper to understand whether you can apply or not.

If your 91ȱ Score is above 290, CGPA of 7+ and TOEFL Score is above 90 (or 6.5 and above in IELTS), you surely have a chance of getting good admits. If you are a working professional with 2 or more years of experience in a relevant domain, then your chances of an admission is even higher. It doesn’t mean a score below 290 has no scope, but the options are limited and the risk of applying will be slightly higher.

Further, there are courses that don’t bank on your 91ȱ score alone, instead consider your research and practical experience.

However, if you are applying to one of the core courses; for example Computer Science or Electrical Engineering; it’s wise to select universities which accept profiles with 91ȱ Scores below 300.

In this day and age, our instincts drive us to Google anything. This is not a bad habit, in fact, it is a good starting point. Several universities will pop up if you enter your 91ȱ Score and course on the web. The challenge lies in verifying what you read after all everything is user generated.

Once you have a primary list of options from Google, it is highly recommended that you join the various groups on social networking sites like Facebook to interact with like-minded people. This will help you verify what you have collected and understood from the various sources available online. You will be able to connect with alumni of various universities, peers facing a similar dilemma and experts who have guided students overcome challenges.

The third level of check is looking for the minimum requirements of the universities on their department website. In case the data is not available, you must write to International Graduate Admissions Office and clarify your eligibility in terms of your score.

Now, to answer a trickier question:How many universities should one apply to and how to reduce the risk while trying to gain the best possible admits.

Ideally, a student should apply to a minimum of 6 to 8 universities.

For a score below 300, it is wise to opt for 3 universities where you have a clear idea on the eligibility, this we can mark as a safe option for you, i.e you have about 80% chances of getting an admit. 2-3 universities that you choose should be such that chances of admits are high, but you’re not fully sure. These options can be marked as achievable ones, i.e you have about 50% chances of getting admissions. You can also apply to 1 or 2 universities that are your dream options, where chances of admissions are very low but it would be great if it comes through. In this way, you will be maximizing your chances and reducing the risk of rejections. Having said

In this way, you will be maximizing your chances and reducing the risk of rejections. Having said that meeting minimum requirement alone, won’t suffice in determining the outcome of your application. You need to factor in the competition you may face, the quality of your documents and the university’s policies for admissions this year. Much of this data can be found online with a bitof social media platforms.

However, you may want to consider taking up some counseling to be equipped enough in making more informed decisions.

91ȱ Score between 300- 320

This is a convenient category to fall in, as a lot of options are open for a score in this range.

With a good CGPA of 7 or 8 points and a TOEFL Score above 95, you will have several universities where you’re eligible to apply.

Unlike applicants who score below 300, your challenge is not in deciding whether to apply or not, but to narrow down the best options among the available ones.

The good news is, you have a good chance of getting a positive result if you take calculated risks. This means you can plan your options to target your dream universities. If you fall short of your target university, you will still have good admits to choose from.

The question is, how does one opt for universities that take care of your ambitions as well as the risk involved.

If you plan to apply for 8 universities, on the whole, it is ideal to go for 2 safe options (80% chances of admit), 4 achievable ones (50% chances of admit) and 2 among your dream universities (less than 30% chances of admit). It will be helpful if you speak to alumni from various universities, your seniors who have applied and also connect with fellow applicants on social networking sites. But you may find a lot of conflicting information online, cross verify and be absolutely sure before applying to a university.

Be careful to not play it too safe, because you do have the potential to get into some well-reputed institutions. At the same time you need to be smart enough to choose the most feasible options among the top-notch institutes, reducing the risks and increasing your higher possibility of paying off.

91ȱ Score above 320

If your 91ȱ Score is higher than 320, then you can target some of the top colleges regarding your specialization.

It is wise to focus on the opportunities provided by the universities, related to your specialization.

With a TOEFL Score 100+ to compliment your 91ȱ Score, you can really stand out among other applicants if you go to universities that are actively researching in your area of expertise and interest.

For example, if you have worked with a company for 2 or more years in the domain of cyber security. You can apply for the above credentials to the most reputed universities for a related course. If the professors are actively engaged in the projects related to your specialization, you have a good chance of getting a positive response.

There is also some potential to get Research Assistantships once you are in the university.

Students with scores in this categoryshould plan to apply early in the intake. This is because building a good rapport with Professors at the universities before and as you apply will be a good way to proceeding with the admissions.

If your long-term objectives are not related to research, then you can opt to go for some non-thesis courses too where you will be completing additional coursework or engaged in a project instead of a research-intensive endeavor. Such courses might not require a lot of networking with Professors beforehand.

In such cases, students must study the course offered in-depth by the universities before making your final choice of options. This is because even within core degrees such as MS in CS, the specializations offered are not uniform among the universities. You may have some universities that offer specializations related to data science, while others offer importance to coding and program development.

To gain an admission you should choose a specialization that best reflects your past profile as well as your interest. To ensure you do not get into a high-risk situation. It is advisable to opt for 1 or 2 safe universities, 3 achievable ones and 3 dream universities. You must pay close attention while selecting your dream universities, these may be competitive options but there will be among such options surely those that are suitable for you.

Tip: you must focus on conveying your profile, learning, and thoughts cogently through your documentation and addressing any drawback in your profile.

[Read]: Top 10 mistakes to avoid while writing your SOP

It can not be emphasized enough that a sense of clarity regarding your long term and short term career objectives, lay a firm foundation for all decisions related to your admission process. It is equally important that you also consider the various aspects of your profile and spend some time learning about the various opportunities available abroad, to make well-informed practical decisions.

I hope you are clear with the categories and have a working idea as to how you can go about selecting and shortlisting universities for your Masters abroad. Are you aiming for Fall 17 and want to know how to get started?

to kickstart your admission process

The post Fall 2018: How to Research & Shortlist Universities For Your Profile appeared first on 91ȱ Blog.

]]>
/blog/how-to-research-and-shortlist-university/feed/ 0