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Bayern · 2007 November 11th, 12:45 AM

I am guessing the adcoms first throw out some of the applications ( I have top-30 schools in my mind) based on the GRE and GPA, and won't take the time to really look at the LORs, resume and statement of purpose in the first round. Do you think this is true? This kind of means that the first impression of transcript has to be good, and bad news for the people who are relying on their LORs a lot. Anyone has any idea?

doubtful · 2007 November 11th, 12:49 AM

I would add another distinction, from US and not from US.

TruDog · 2007 November 11th, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubtful

I would add another distinction, from US and not from US.

I would disagree.

econdreamer · 2007 November 11th, 03:30 AM

Ok, then, what happen to the non-US applications in the first round?

TruDog · 2007 November 11th, 03:59 AM

The same thing that happens to US applications. Those who meet the GRE/GPA/course qualifications/etc. will have their applications kept for further review. The only difference for foreign applicants is that a certain level of English proficiency is required, which is typically set by the university instead of the program.

There have been many discussions in this forum in the past about whether US or foreign students have an advantage in applications. Most of the data from various schools (Minnesota's is really accessible) show that the admit rate is about the same for students from different countries.

doubtful · 2007 November 11th, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by econdreamer

Ok, then, what happen to the non-US applications in the first round?

according to what I know.. they consider the place you come from.. if it is ecole politechnique or bejiing university, just to make two examples, they are able to compare you with past successful students. People from unknown university even if they present perfect scores have less chances... and sometime a perfect GRE is seen as suspicious as other people said before.

I have seen some departments (business schools) where all the international students had already achieved a master in the US... I don't think that is casual

SunnyDutt · 2007 November 11th, 10:48 AM

lol and now this might be the token question on most (maybe not all people's minds) but atleast for GPA would anyone know the 1st, 2nd round (or even 3rd round) cutoffs for say top 5,15,30 schools? It's probably a varying random variable itself because if everyone knew it, we wouldnt care too much! Hope to hear your feed back on this.

Golden Rule · 2007 November 11th, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubtful

I would add another distinction, from US and not from US.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruDog

I would disagree.

I would agree. I actually found out that at one school I applied to, my application was initially placed in the "international pile" by mistake.

Of course, this doesn't mean such a thing exists at all schools.

Mr.Keen · 2007 November 11th, 05:42 PM

I heard from a friend who was fortunate to know a professor from a top 10 school, who told him how the process was last year (presumably it is the same every year). Here is what he told me: first, the administrative assistants, that is, the secretaries, separate the profiles with the highest quantitative GRE scores (790 and above at this particular school). Then if you are international you have to meet the school's minumum TOEFL requirement. After they do this, they would still look at some of the other applications but with less seriousness. After that, LORs are the first thing they look at, if they know the person writing or they know about him/her and the letter is strong your chances increase significantly. Then they look at your academic record: transcripts, honors, awards. If your research sample is exceptional, then it is a very important factor, much more so than what courses you have taken and your grades. Now, if one of your recommenders REALLY knows somebody in the adcom, a call, contrary to what econphd tells us, can really make the difference, especially when it comes to funding.

C152dude · 2007 November 11th, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Keen

Now, if one of your recommenders REALLY knows somebody in the adcom, a call, contrary to what econphd tells us, can really make the difference, especially when it comes to funding.

Mr. Keen -

... I hope you are right. Maybe this will offset my lackluster GPA's. Thanks for the note.

2007 November 11th, 12:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bayern TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 711	How are the applications looked/analyzed in the first round by the adcoms? any idea? I am guessing the adcoms first throw out some of the applications ( I have top-30 schools in my mind) based on the GRE and GPA, and won't take the time to really look at the LORs, resume and statement of purpose in the first round. Do you think this is true? This kind of means that the first impression of transcript has to be good, and bad news for the people who are relying on their LORs a lot. Anyone has any idea?

2007 November 11th, 03:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
TruDog TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Midwest US Posts: 691	The same thing that happens to US applications. Those who meet the GRE/GPA/course qualifications/etc. will have their applications kept for further review. The only difference for foreign applicants is that a certain level of English proficiency is required, which is typically set by the university instead of the program. There have been many discussions in this forum in the past about whether US or foreign students have an advantage in applications. Most of the data from various schools (Minnesota's is really accessible) show that the admit rate is about the same for students from different countries. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ University of Wisconsin-Madison--Leaving with a master's degree

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2007 November 11th, 12:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
doubtful Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 407	I would add another distinction, from US and not from US.

2007 November 11th, 03:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
econdreamer Eager! Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 68	Ok, then, what happen to the non-US applications in the first round?

2007 November 11th, 10:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
SunnyDutt Eager! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 43	lol and now this might be the token question on most (maybe not all people's minds) but atleast for GPA would anyone know the 1st, 2nd round (or even 3rd round) cutoffs for say top 5,15,30 schools? It's probably a varying random variable itself because if everyone knew it, we wouldnt care too much! Hope to hear your feed back on this.

2007 November 11th, 05:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mr.Keen The Fire! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 622	I heard from a friend who was fortunate to know a professor from a top 10 school, who told him how the process was last year (presumably it is the same every year). Here is what he told me: first, the administrative assistants, that is, the secretaries, separate the profiles with the highest quantitative GRE scores (790 and above at this particular school). Then if you are international you have to meet the school's minumum TOEFL requirement. After they do this, they would still look at some of the other applications but with less seriousness. After that, LORs are the first thing they look at, if they know the person writing or they know about him/her and the letter is strong your chances increase significantly. Then they look at your academic record: transcripts, honors, awards. If your research sample is exceptional, then it is a very important factor, much more so than what courses you have taken and your grades. Now, if one of your recommenders REALLY knows somebody in the adcom, a call, contrary to what econphd tells us, can really make the difference, especially when it comes to funding.

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