This document summarizes a seminar presented by Nirjhar Bhattacharjee on applying to graduate school and the GRE admission process. The seminar covered reasons to pursue a graduate degree, the differences between MS and PhD programs, an overview of the GRE, TOEFL, IELTS and GATE exams, factors considered in graduate admissions like publications and letters of recommendation, and financial considerations like funding sources and application costs. The seminar provided guidance on building a strong profile, choosing recommenders, writing statements of purpose, and timelines for the application process.

1. Mission 2015, Civil Engineering Society NITS GradKafé A Seminar on GRE and Graduate School Admission Process in NIT Silchar Speaker: Nirjhar Bhattacharjee (Electrical Engg, Class of 2009) Venue: NIT Silchar Date: 29/01/11

2. This INSPIREmini event has been organised to support the MISSION 2015 initiative of Civil Engineering Society NIT Silchar

3. www.cesnitsilchar.wordpress.com Fanpage MISSION 2015::NIT Silcharwww.twitter.com/cesnitsilchar

5. Module A Why go for a Graduate Degree? MS or PhD?

6. Why go for a Graduate Degree? UG Degree is Generalised and Basic Specialists are paid more than generalists Expanding horizon of knowledge Developing contacts in Industry and Academia Experiencing a new culture Greater work variety, more independence. Flexibility in learning. More practical education system

7. MS or PhD?

8. Do you have any questions?

9. Module B Standardised Exams GRE Subject GRE GATE TOEFL IELTS

10. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Analytical Verbal Quantitative Given year-round at testing centers (Nearest in Kolkatta). Computerized –computer adapted: speed & accuracy count. Most programs will look at your ENTIRE application & not focus on GRE. So don’t sweat too much over it. NEW GRE from August 2011. Find more info from ETS website.

11. How to Prepare? Books Barron’s GRE Guide Kaplan GRE Guide Word Power Made Easy - Norman Lewis Online Resources www.mnemonicdictionary.com Softwares Powerprep GRE (Most Important, high prediction accuracy) Barron’s CD

12. Power Tips Read a lot. A LOT. Start with Barron’s High Frequency Word List Needn’t panic if you can’t complete all wordlists Give MOCK TESTS (Very Very Important). You will learn words more by tests than through rote learning alone. Best time to prepare: 1st/2nd Year in NITS Three months of focussed preparation is usually sufficient

13. Do you Require Coaching for GRE? NO

14. Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL ) Very Less preparation required. Total score for IBT: 120. Anything above 90 is safe. Just try to speak slowly and distinctly Questions will be intuitive and easy to answer Don’t put on a fake accent Reading Writing Speaking Listening

15. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engg. (GATE) Simple - Study Hard. Keep your basics clear Many top Universities like NUS, NTU accept GATE score in addition to IITs/IISc.

16. Do you have any questions?

17. Module C Gradschool Admissions Process Timeline Documents Profile

18. Decreasing order of IMPORTANCE(Sourced from present Graduate Students) Conference and Journal Publications and Research Internships Recommendation Letters Overall CPI (after 6 Semesters) Statement of Purpose (SOP) Relevant Projects Completed Thesis Work and Current Projects G.R.E (Analytical Writing and Math Sections) Organization Activities, Leadership, Awards and Honors, Scholarships, Fellowships etc. Conferences, Technical Symposiums Attended, Presentations

19. How to build a Strong Profile? Maintain a healthy CPI. More the Better. However, a good CPI alone won’t land you top admits. Good Internships or Research Projects. Publish in Good Conferences and Journals! Maintain excellent rapport with your Professors or future recommenders. Don’t approach Summer Projects as a two-month holiday. (Very VeryImpt)

20. Documents Required Passport - Apply as early as possible. Transcript – Get it from Academic Section. Rs 500 for first copy. Rs 100 every subsequent copy. Nicely Formatted CV (Formats available on our website) Well-written SOP. Ask fellow applicants/alumni/anyone you know to proof read and modify. Letters of Recommendation (Minimum 3) GRE and TOEFL Scores Arrange for a credit card.

21. Apping Timeline University Hunting (May – July) Website, Writing SOP Draft, Intimating Recommenders (Aug) Sucking to Profs – if necessary(Sept) Finishing GRE and TOEFL LATEST by this Time (Oct) Online Application Process (Oct-Dec) Postal Supporting Docs Submission (Dec) Waiting for Results (Till Jan to April!) 

22. The ART of Choosing your Recommenders Project Guides Course Instructors Internship Supervisors Employee or Research Lab Head Prefer people with whom you have worked and are sure to give STRONG recos. Simple ‘I-know-him’ recos won’t land you good admits.

23. What constitutes a GOOD recommendation? Emphasis on why you are creative, different, have research potential Why suited for MS/PhD program long rigorous hours in the labs, good at academic performance, excellent past research work, What work you did with the Prof, its significance and your long term goals. (A comparison with previous people recommended helps, but is not necessary)

24. Do you have any questions?

25. Module D Financials

26. Form of Funding Fellowships Teaching Assistantships (TA) Research Assistantships (RA) Outside Scholarships Since PhD admissions almost always comes with full funding, you are encouraged to opt for it. Though MS funding is comparatively difficult, it is still gettable. If you are short of funds, apply to places like Hong Kong (HKPU, HKU etc)and Singapore (NTU, NUS).

27. GRE - $ 190 (50% discount for the new format from August). TOEFL - $ 165 GRE additional Score Reporting –$ 23 per university TOEFL ASR – $ 17 per university App fee – Average $ 70-80 in US. Free in Europe and some other places. Cheapest courier service – Overnite (Rs 1000)/ India Post (Rs 500)

28. Never Hesitate to ask help from alumni of IITs and NITsVisit www.edulix.com for information and support

29. Do you have any questions?

30. Organised by: Zain Ahmed, Manish Sharma (Coordinators, GRE Club) Amartya Dey (General Secretary, CES) Manabendra Saharia (Coordinator, MISSION 2015)

31. Copyright holder is licensing this under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non commercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/ Brought to you by Civil Engineering Society, an active student body of National Institute of Technology, Silchar committed to powering the dreams and careers of all its members. Do feel free to share this guide with whomever you believe would benefit from it. Civil Engineering Society NIT Silchar © 2010 www.cesnitsilchar.wordpress.com