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What are credit hours/credit
points/ degree credits ? (Very Important)
Usually students do not bother to understand this term. But it is very
essential that one knows what exactly this means.
Every regular subject/course is scheduled for 1 to 5 hours/week. That
number is the credits (nothing but the number of hours you put in a week)
you get for that subject. A Masters program consists of a required number
of credit hours, which varies from University to University.
What is the "Quarter Hour" system ?
The quarter system is a 10 week system rather than the semester system,
which is 15 weeks. In the
semester system one academic year consists of two semesters (30 weeks);
whereas, one academic year in the quarter system consists of three quarters
(also 30 weeks). Usually in an institution which uses the semester
system the academic year begins in early September and ends in mid to late
May. On the other hand, normally an institution, like Ohio State,
Northeastern, that uses the quarter system begins the academic year in
late September and ends in mid June. There are breaks in-between
each quarter (in December, in March, and during the summer).
Want to know about the grading system in US ?
Universities use alphabets to grade the quality of the students academic
performance.
A(4=excellent), B(3=good), C(2=average), D(1=below average) and F(0=fail).
You need to score grade B or more to continue your graduate study.
What is the Grade Point Average (GPA) ?
A system of recording academic achievement based on an average, calculated
by multiplying the numerical grade received on each course by the number
of credit hours studied. :-) Ok stop
cursing us for that definition. Here is an example that will put the smile
:-) back on your face.
Suppose you have taken 3 courses : X, Y & Z each with a credit
hour requirement of 3. Assume your grade in the 3 courses are A, B &
A respectively. Then your GPA will be calculated as :
X : 4 * 3 = 12
Y : 3 * 3 = 9
Z : 4 * 3 = 12
Total = 12+ 9 + 12 = 33
GPA = 33 / (3+3+3) = 3.66
That should have made things clear!!
What's a major ?
The area of studies in which you wish to concentrate. This is usually
EE (Electrical Engineering) or CS (Computer Science) or CE (Computer Engineering).
Mind you, the area of specialization differs from a major in that, it is
the field in wish to do some research viz. VLSI, Computer N/W, Parallel
Computing, DSP etc.
How many years does it take to complete MS ?
Masters takes time. On an average it takes 2 years. You have to be
very good to finish it in 1 year. 1.5 years is possible but its safer to
think that it will take 2 years. Many Universities offer a 1 year accelerated
course which may sound tempting. But think carefully before you decide
to go for this. It is extremely hectic. Some students have found even 2
year a tough job.
What are the MS requirements ?
For masters you have to take courses and do a project. Usually MS requires
anywhere between 30 & 36 credits.
For thesis option you take less
courses and do a big thesis project and for non
thesis you take more courses and do a small project. So say
in a thesis option you have to do 9 credit hours of reseach (project) you
either take it from the first semester you come here or hence forth. You
can also take 3 credit hours of research in one semester and remaining
in other semesters. And along with the research credits you have to take
courses. What you can also do is finish your course requirements and then
take research credits. If you are funded from the beginning, then your
advisor might want you to spend some time on research, so he will say take
3 research credits from now along with the courses. So it depends in which
situation you find your self in.
This might sound complicated to you, but do not
worry as soon as you go to US you will understand it.
Is work experience essential for MS ?
For MS generally work experience is not required. I think if you do
(very) well in GRE and your academics, your chances of getting financial
aid increases.
What to write in an SOP ?
The SOP is supposed to identify to the Univ. what your
(1) Interests are in the field you plan to major in. For e.g.. one
can write that he/she is interested in Software Engineering and Networking.
You need to mention why you are interested in these areas. Maybe
you did a project and found yourself drawn to those aspects of the project.
(2) Future plans are. Do you want to get into academia or industry.
Either answer is OK. What role do you see yourself playing wherever you
land up (are you going to be a technical person, a researcher, a teacher).
You don't have to get very specific, but you should think about these things
carefully.
The Do's and Don'ts for Your Personal Statement
The Do's
1. Unite your essay and give it direction with a theme or thesis. The
thesis is the main point you want to communicate.
2. Before you begin writing, choose what you want to discuss and the
order in which you want to discuss it.
3. Use concrete examples from your life experience to support your
thesis and distinguish yourself from other applicants.
4. Write about what interests you, excites you. That's what the admissions
staff wants to read.
5. Start your essay with an attention grabbing lead--an anecdote, quote,
question, or engaging description of a scene.
6. End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the lead and
restates your thesis.
7. Revise your essay at least three times.
8. In addition to your editing, ask someone else to critique your personal
statement for you.
9. Write clearly, succinctly.
The Don'ts
1. Don't include information that doesn't support your thesis. Start
your essay with "I was born in...," or "My parents came from..."
2. Don't write an autobiography, itinerary, or résumé
in prose.
3. Don't try to be a clown (but gentle humor is OK).
4. Don't be afraid to start over if the essay just isn't working or
doesn't answer the essay question.
5. Don't try to impress your reader with your vocabulary.
6. Don't rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling.
7. Don't provide a collection of generic statements and platitudes.
8. Don't give mealy-mouthed, weak excuses for your GRE/academic scores.
9. Don't bluff ( I know how tempting this is, but DON'T ).
Tell me about USEFI.
Here students are given access to libraries, catalog rooms, video shows
and seminars (and some of them are really useful) as well as personal consultations.
There are also many innovative projects in the pipeline. They have four
regional offices at Mumbai, Delhi, Madras and Calcutta. Their addresses
are as follows:
| Mumbai:
American Center, 4 New Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020. Phone: (022) 262 4603 Fax: (022) 266 3956 email: manishar@usefib.axcess.net.in |
Delhi:
Fullbright House, 12 Hailey Road, New Delhi 110 001. Phone: (011) 332 8944 Fax: (011) 332 9718 email: fulbrit@usefid.ernet.in |
| Chennai:
American Consulate Building, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 006. Phone: (044) 825 7196 Fax: (044) 826 3407 email: usefimas@md2.vsnl.net.in |
Calcutta:
38A Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Calcutta 700 071. Phone: (033) 245 1636 Fax: (033) 245 1616 email: usefical@giasclo1.vsnl.net.in |
What do I take to the US ?
take this....