EE: Acad Dismissal, Transfer -> GPA 3.5, GRE 1480

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>My probelm is a curious one. I am an international student from India and English is not my native language. I am planning to apply for grad school in the US or perhaps the EU in Electrical Engineering or related fields. The issue is my patchy academic record. I have an academic dismissal in my undergrad from a reputable university in Canada after which I transfered to an Indian university where I am soon to graduate with a 3.5 GPA.</p>

<p>Since I couldn't find anyone with a similar situation at the CC fora, I think I should provide a little background info before I ask for help. Here goes my sob story. Please read it, I feel so scared and need to share it with someone.</p>

<p>The reason for academic dismissal? I flunked almost every course in my 5th semester (3rd year) due to severe depression brought on by the death of a loved one back home. I applied for immediate reinstatement after the academic dismissal and was reinstated. However, I decided to go back home and finish my degree close to my family in my home state. Now, after nearly two years, I am in my final semester and will be graduating with a CGPA of 3.5 (the transfer erased the previous GPA, so to speak)</p>

<p>After coming home from Canada, I put my previous transcripts away and never thought about them. Now since I started looking at college websites, I took them out again. It was horrible to look at with 5 Fs :( .....My hopes are deflated and I am afraid I won't get in anywhere in the world. I did really good on GRE,(I think) but didn't tell anyone lest they make fun of me after I get rejected everywhere.</p>

<p>What should be the tone of my SOP. Clear & explanatory OR self-deprecating and defeatist OR evasive and deceitful? I want to come clean and explain the mitigating circumstances about my academic dismissal. Question is, would they want proof, because if they do, i won't be able to get any paperwork (don't ask)</p>

<p>My Stats:</p>

<p>CGPA: 3.5ish out of a max 4.0
TOEFL (Internet Based): 117/120
GRE: 1480 (V:700, Q:780), AWA:5.5</p>

<p>I want to get an MS degree in Electrical Power Engineering or any other field related with Electrical Engineering, my undergrad major.</p>

<p>My final year design project is (in digital simulation of synchro transmitter behavior) at a highly classified nuclear power plant here. Does that count as research experience? </p>

<p>If it doesn't, I have no research experience or publications whatever since research activity in my neck of the woods, lets just say, is nonexistant, imaginary and illusory....</p>

<p>I have excellent recommendations from my professors here including the Dean. However, they are completely unknown in the US/EU i'm afraid.</p>

<p>My university is finalizing an agreement with Purdue University to allow undergrad students to transfer their coursework to Purdue. The Academic Director here has promised to write a personal letter for me to the Purdue Dean/Adcom. Would that help me get in at Purdue?</p>

<p>So, if you have read so far, tell me: Do I have a chance anywhere? Somebody told me I would have a better chance in Germany. I took a basic German course during the summer (they are expensive), but now I'm not so sure. I might try for Sweden as well. Both these countries offer lots of MSEE programs in English with minimal tuition fees. Max tuition at German universities' English MSEE is 500EUR per semester for everybody, including foreigners.</p>

<p>But would the Adcoms look at my bombed Canadian transcripts and just go, "nahhh...'?</p>

<p>My expectations (like my self-esteem) right now, are really low, subterranean and below zero. Do I stand a chance to get in at a school where I may get funding/TA? I would be happy to get in at a 4th tier school if they offered some finaid.</p>

<p>So, hit me with it...what say you?</p>

2

<p>Your stats look great, but I have a few questions for you. Did you take any time off before starting school back up in India? Also, how many semesters of credit do you have from the Indian university?</p>

<p>I'm not familiar with Engineering school admissions, but your GPA from India plus that amazing GRE score will help you out. You scored higher on the verbal part of the GRE than most American students, well done!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for responding....Yea, it took about a year and half for me to find an appropriate school that would also give me maximum credit for coursework done in Canada. Does that hurt my chances? I was working fulltime in my related field during that period though.</p>

<p>At the Canadian university, I did 4 semesters till the unfortunate event in semester 5. So, I basically picked up where I had left and took 4 semesters at the Indian university with some added courses that were unique to the Indian program.</p>

<p>Thanks for the GRE pat on the back. I hope if nothing else, this might help my case a bit.</p>

4

<p>Taking time off would only strengthen your case imo. This is because it shows you took time off after a rough time in your life and came back ready to complete your class work to the best of your ability. It also shows you gained maturity during your time off.</p>

<p>How closely related to your field was the work you did during your time off? It could make for an interesting swing to your application.</p>

5

<p>I would agree with ophiolite's assesment. If you had gone directly to an Indian university, it would look like that university just graded much easier because you were still coming from the same situation, but doing dramatically better. Your time off puts things in more of a context that you took time to work out your home/life issues, and then came back strong. And the work you did during that time can only help.</p>

<p>And go the 'clear and explanatory' route. Self-depracating is just silly to read, and if you have to be deceptive to get into a school then chances are it's not a good fit for you anyway.</p>

6

<p>Thanks ophiolite and larationalist for your suggestions and kind encouragement. They were a great help. I plan to include details of my work in my application.</p>

<p>I am completely in the dark regarding the best US schools for funding for international grad students. All I want is to go to a grad school where they would offer financial aid. I am not overly concerned about the school's reputation. My CV has wide gaping holes in it and any grad school that accepts me would only improve it. </p>

<p>I would really appreciate it if anyone can suggest some school that would accept me with my GPA, GRE and background and perhaps will offer some form of financial aid.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>