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buntyshubho · 07-05-2008, 09:19 PM

Hello everyone! I've been following this forum for an hour or so now and its really helpful in getting others' views in admission matters. Now I admit its too early for me too ask(I haven't even given GRE yet) But I'd still like to know where I stand at present and how do I improve myself Well here are my details: Field of Interest:MS in Electrical Engg(specific field not decided yet) University:University of Mumbai College:Thadomal Shahani Engineering college(does college matter or just mumbai univ will do?) Academics:74% till now.....assuming it'll remain at that even after remaining 4 semesters College topper percentage:85%(incidentally univ topper) So I rank somewhere in top 10 % in college(and probably the univ though I don't have any written proof) 89.5% in Higher secondary exams.....Ranked 328th in state where 300,000 had appeared for the same. Scores:GRE score a modest 1350/1600 assumed(5.2/6.0 in essays) TOEFL score around 110/120 assumed Key projects:Worked on many designs for robotics and web designing contest s all over India, on behalf of IEEE technical team of my college(have a certificate to prove my being a member of this technical team and on course to become the technical team leader next year). Certificates:Awarded a certificate by government of Maharashtra for passing a state level computer efficiency test(that included c/c++ programming) with o-grade. Won runners up prize for web designing at National Level IEEE contest held at my college....(this is totally irrelevant with my future field of interest, should I even bother to mention it?) Awarded Best Student award in Junior college for excellent all round performance. No papers or publications(Do papers presented at inter college competitions count?) If you know Mumbai University well, the you'd know that we do not have much research opportunities or time for internships(do US univs know this?)....so no research experience of work experience. Ummm..... that's about it.....I appeared for IIT entrance exams and failed to qualify before entering mu. My dad's a Principal Scientist in a Government Research organization( should I write this in my SOP?) Its pretty average.....nothing to brag about!!!So what do you think?Where do I stand with this and what needs to be done to improve..... Please do reply!!!

MDK · 07-05-2008, 11:20 PM

I would advise you to do an internship at IIT in the summer, this would really boost your profile. I know about lacking of research opportunities however, you should consider working on a project that would lead to a paper even if you work with profs at other universities.
If you didn't have the chance to do any, you are still good. 75% at MU would be enough to get you into top 50 schools in the US. and if you have the cash, there is always USC

buntyshubho · 07-06-2008, 12:50 PM

Thanks MDK....But really the case in Mumbai is pathetic.
1)We get vacations between semesters that do not last for more than a month....and most internships require us to work for at least 2 months.
2)Working on something big when college is open is virtually out of question.......because we have strict attendance schedule in college and cannot afford to miss out on lectures....attendance gives us internal marks......75% attendance per subject is minimum...or you're screwed.
3)No one in colleges(not even heads of departments) does any kind of research work, where we can actually get assitantship...or at least help out and get a good recommendation.

No....its like engineers in mumbai univ are not supposed to do any research!!!

Like I mentioned my dad's a principal scientist...has lots of contacts with other researchers belonging to my domain....who are willing to let me work on their research projects....only if I give time....which I am willing to....but the univ isn't

Just check this:
My 2nd yr of Engg started on 15th July 2007....semester 3 ended on 28th oct 2007.....exam preparatory leave for a month....exams run for another one month....exams end on 7th Jan 2008.

Semester 4 started on 21st Jan 2008(just 13 days of vacs....no one will take me as an intern or project assistant for this short period)....semester ends on 28th April....a month of practical exams and vivas......another month of theory exams.....Exams end on 19th July 2008.

Semester 5 scheduled to reopen from 21 July.....just a month.No one wants to commit a research project to me for such a short period.I cannot even take a leave of a month from college after 21st because like I said...attendance counts!

The Univ just has us screwed.Do US Univs know this?There are students in this Univ who are quite competent with some of who get top ten Univs in US.The final yr Project we make is way beyond our level of learning.But hell....research as an undergrad....its like next to impossible......What should I do?

CalmLogic · 07-06-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

But hell....research as an undergrad....its like next to impossible......What should I do?

Worse come to worse, one could always work on research on one's own or with a couple of other students, with hopefully the ability to get some feedback by a professor. Of course, that will take a lot more time and make it more difficult to get publishable results than working directly with a professional researcher or even a graduate student. (In the US, most undergrad students can get ongoing research help from a professor by taking an independent study course, but I guess that option is not available to you.) Even though you may likely get rejected for your first submission to an international conference/journal, the reviewers for conferences/journals usually give some feedback, which you can use to improve the paper for resubmission to another conference/journal with an upcoming deadline.

Anyway, as MDK suggests, you don't need to do research to get a good admission since the vast majority of MS applicants have never published. So if you just continue to do well academically in your courses, you will be fine for getting into a top 20 department (and, like almost everyone else, you will likely need a loan to pay for it).

buntyshubho · 07-07-2008, 04:11 AM

Thank You very much for your responses....

I will have to do with whatever I have I guess.I have done many small projects with my friends and have taken help of a few professors on them...lets see what happens.....I still have time to improve!!!!

Could you also answer the questions I have mentioned in brackets in my first post
Like do colleges matter or just Mumbai university will do......
Does my being a member of the only technical team help....
My being a runner up in a National level Web designing competiton....is it even worth mentioning???
Do Extra curriculars matter?

Please do reply!!!

MDK · 07-07-2008, 01:52 PM

I can say that if your college has the reputation, then it'll be better than just being in a reputed university. In fact, it depends on the policy applied by each school, some prefer students from well known colleges, while other simply don't care that much about your college. You can always check these issues with seniors of your college who went to the US and where they settled.

shemz · 07-07-2008, 08:18 PM

US universities will not generally narrow down to your college, until your college is reputed among the US academia community. And honestly, there are only a handful number of such colleges in India. So more often, they look at your university only. Your case has strength of MU, which is considered among one of the best state universities in India, and TS is among the better colleges under MU.

Leaving all blah...blah, top 10 in the States will not admit even IITians (or even their own undergrads or from other equivalent US schools) unless they have strong research profile. And I reckon you still have lot of time to improve your profile. Best is, as MDK suggested, try to get an undergraduate fellowship in an IIT, which is announced around Jan/Feb each year. Eligibility for this fellowship is completion of pen-ultimate year. However again this requires strong faculty recos and previous research experience. So for now, try to get involved in any research projects that your seniors might be conducting for their final year thesis. Try to co-author a couple of papers with your seniors and present them at symposiums/conferences held at reputed institutions (like IIT Powai and VJTI in Mumbai, SVNIT in Surat), which will strengthen your initial profile. Presentation at any international conference is highly respected, but most will have experience of presenting at national level events. Then an IIT fellowship at the end of third year, and may be another academic project at some reputed government organization or academic institution, and your all set.

Rest will depend on GRE. Take GRE in your seventh semester and try to get anything over 1450. Dont care for TOEFL, as it is a mere formality and no good university will make admission decision based on TOEFL, though over 110 will be required for TA consideration. Good SOPs, probably from IITs, or for that sake, from any cross institutional reference, will also be helpful.

Good Luck.

buntyshubho · 07-08-2008, 04:25 AM

Thank You very much everyone for prompt consideration of my case....
Such forums are a boon to confused undergrads like me!

It's just that the thought of doing research excites me, having already done a bit in the past on small scale projects in college.
Doing the same at a top US univ would be just great!

I will consider everything that you have said....and try to improve myself!

Although I would have loved to see profiles of other Mumbai University students who have already got admit to US Univs.....I guess thats not possible!

Thank You very much Everyone!

MDK · 07-08-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Although I would have loved to see profiles of other Mumbai University students who have already got admit to US Univs.....I guess thats not possible!

It's available, thanks Edulix
Edulix InfoBank | Your One Stop Source For Application Related Information!

buntyshubho · 07-08-2008, 06:56 PM

Thanks a lot MDK.
Looks like that site is custom made for me!!!

One thing I noticed is that very few Indian students got admits to top 10 Univs....not just Mumbai Univ but almost all other Univ students.....The competition seems to be really tough!!!!

07-05-2008, 09:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
buntyshubho Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	A Curious 2nd yr Mumbai University Undergrad Hello everyone! I've been following this forum for an hour or so now and its really helpful in getting others' views in admission matters. Now I admit its too early for me too ask(I haven't even given GRE yet) But I'd still like to know where I stand at present and how do I improve myself Well here are my details: Field of Interest:MS in Electrical Engg(specific field not decided yet) University:University of Mumbai College:Thadomal Shahani Engineering college(does college matter or just mumbai univ will do?) Academics:74% till now.....assuming it'll remain at that even after remaining 4 semesters College topper percentage:85%(incidentally univ topper) So I rank somewhere in top 10 % in college(and probably the univ though I don't have any written proof) 89.5% in Higher secondary exams.....Ranked 328th in state where 300,000 had appeared for the same. Scores:GRE score a modest 1350/1600 assumed(5.2/6.0 in essays) TOEFL score around 110/120 assumed Key projects:Worked on many designs for robotics and web designing contest s all over India, on behalf of IEEE technical team of my college(have a certificate to prove my being a member of this technical team and on course to become the technical team leader next year). Certificates:Awarded a certificate by government of Maharashtra for passing a state level computer efficiency test(that included c/c++ programming) with o-grade. Won runners up prize for web designing at National Level IEEE contest held at my college....(this is totally irrelevant with my future field of interest, should I even bother to mention it?) Awarded Best Student award in Junior college for excellent all round performance. No papers or publications(Do papers presented at inter college competitions count?) If you know Mumbai University well, the you'd know that we do not have much research opportunities or time for internships(do US univs know this?)....so no research experience of work experience. Ummm..... that's about it.....I appeared for IIT entrance exams and failed to qualify before entering mu. My dad's a Principal Scientist in a Government Research organization( should I write this in my SOP?) Its pretty average.....nothing to brag about!!!So what do you think?Where do I stand with this and what needs to be done to improve..... Please do reply!!!

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07-05-2008, 11:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
MDK Within my grasp! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 308	I would advise you to do an internship at IIT in the summer, this would really boost your profile. I know about lacking of research opportunities however, you should consider working on a project that would lead to a paper even if you work with profs at other universities. If you didn't have the chance to do any, you are still good. 75% at MU would be enough to get you into top 50 schools in the US. and if you have the cash, there is always USC

07-06-2008, 12:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
buntyshubho Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	Thanks MDK....But really the case in Mumbai is pathetic. 1)We get vacations between semesters that do not last for more than a month....and most internships require us to work for at least 2 months. 2)Working on something big when college is open is virtually out of question.......because we have strict attendance schedule in college and cannot afford to miss out on lectures....attendance gives us internal marks......75% attendance per subject is minimum...or you're screwed. 3)No one in colleges(not even heads of departments) does any kind of research work, where we can actually get assitantship...or at least help out and get a good recommendation. No....its like engineers in mumbai univ are not supposed to do any research!!! Like I mentioned my dad's a principal scientist...has lots of contacts with other researchers belonging to my domain....who are willing to let me work on their research projects....only if I give time....which I am willing to....but the univ isn't Just check this: My 2nd yr of Engg started on 15th July 2007....semester 3 ended on 28th oct 2007.....exam preparatory leave for a month....exams run for another one month....exams end on 7th Jan 2008. Semester 4 started on 21st Jan 2008(just 13 days of vacs....no one will take me as an intern or project assistant for this short period)....semester ends on 28th April....a month of practical exams and vivas......another month of theory exams.....Exams end on 19th July 2008. Semester 5 scheduled to reopen from 21 July.....just a month.No one wants to commit a research project to me for such a short period.I cannot even take a leave of a month from college after 21st because like I said...attendance counts! The Univ just has us screwed.Do US Univs know this?There are students in this Univ who are quite competent with some of who get top ten Univs in US.The final yr Project we make is way beyond our level of learning.But hell....research as an undergrad....its like next to impossible......What should I do?

07-07-2008, 04:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
buntyshubho Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	Thank You very much for your responses.... I will have to do with whatever I have I guess.I have done many small projects with my friends and have taken help of a few professors on them...lets see what happens.....I still have time to improve!!!! Could you also answer the questions I have mentioned in brackets in my first post Like do colleges matter or just Mumbai university will do...... Does my being a member of the only technical team help.... My being a runner up in a National level Web designing competiton....is it even worth mentioning??? Do Extra curriculars matter? Please do reply!!!

07-07-2008, 01:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
MDK Within my grasp! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 308	I can say that if your college has the reputation, then it'll be better than just being in a reputed university. In fact, it depends on the policy applied by each school, some prefer students from well known colleges, while other simply don't care that much about your college. You can always check these issues with seniors of your college who went to the US and where they settled.

07-07-2008, 08:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
shemz Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 27	US universities will not generally narrow down to your college, until your college is reputed among the US academia community. And honestly, there are only a handful number of such colleges in India. So more often, they look at your university only. Your case has strength of MU, which is considered among one of the best state universities in India, and TS is among the better colleges under MU. Leaving all blah...blah, top 10 in the States will not admit even IITians (or even their own undergrads or from other equivalent US schools) unless they have strong research profile. And I reckon you still have lot of time to improve your profile. Best is, as MDK suggested, try to get an undergraduate fellowship in an IIT, which is announced around Jan/Feb each year. Eligibility for this fellowship is completion of pen-ultimate year. However again this requires strong faculty recos and previous research experience. So for now, try to get involved in any research projects that your seniors might be conducting for their final year thesis. Try to co-author a couple of papers with your seniors and present them at symposiums/conferences held at reputed institutions (like IIT Powai and VJTI in Mumbai, SVNIT in Surat), which will strengthen your initial profile. Presentation at any international conference is highly respected, but most will have experience of presenting at national level events. Then an IIT fellowship at the end of third year, and may be another academic project at some reputed government organization or academic institution, and your all set. Rest will depend on GRE. Take GRE in your seventh semester and try to get anything over 1450. Dont care for TOEFL, as it is a mere formality and no good university will make admission decision based on TOEFL, though over 110 will be required for TA consideration. Good SOPs, probably from IITs, or for that sake, from any cross institutional reference, will also be helpful. Good Luck.

07-08-2008, 04:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
buntyshubho Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	Thank You very much everyone for prompt consideration of my case.... Such forums are a boon to confused undergrads like me! It's just that the thought of doing research excites me, having already done a bit in the past on small scale projects in college. Doing the same at a top US univ would be just great! I will consider everything that you have said....and try to improve myself! Although I would have loved to see profiles of other Mumbai University students who have already got admit to US Univs.....I guess thats not possible! Thank You very much Everyone!

07-08-2008, 06:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
buntyshubho Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	Thanks a lot MDK. Looks like that site is custom made for me!!! One thing I noticed is that very few Indian students got admits to top 10 Univs....not just Mumbai Univ but almost all other Univ students.....The competition seems to be really tough!!!!

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