<p>I'll start by apologizing for how long winded this might turn out to be, but please, bear with me, I could <em>really</em> use some help here. </p>
<p>I've got an undergraduate degree in Mech Eng from an Indian University, with about 76% being my overall aggregate. I recently just graduated from a (well reputed) British University with a Masters in Mech Eng as well. </p>
<p>I'm looking to get into one of the following Universities for my PhD in Mech Eng.
1) UC Berkeley
2) UMich
3) Purdue
4) CMU
5) Stanford
6) Texas @ Austin.</p>
<p>I've got a first (2.1) in my masters degree, I'm not quite sure how this translates to American GPAs, it's about 67% . I've got just one research paper to my name, that being a summarized version of my master's dissertation. I haven't yet written my GRE, but let's assume for the sake of argument that I've gotten enough marks to satisfy the minimum for all these universities. Say 1400. (Easier said than done, I know) </p>
<p>I can whip up a reasonably good Statement of Purpose . As for letter of Recommendations, I've got 3 from profs at my British University. One from a professor who's quite well known in his field, another 2 from profs who virtually unheard of outside Britain (in all likelihood).</p>
<p>If you're still with me, thanks for your patience, I won't be much longer. What I'm wondering is, am I being realistic or overambitious here ? I mean, do I stand a fair chance of getting into one of these universities or am I going to end up one of them disaster stories used as anecdotal evidence of how it can all go to pieces when not planned correctly ? </p>
<p>Does anyone know people who've gotten in with a similar background ? Is my British Masters really the advantage I think it is or would it hardly make a difference ? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for your replies, I await with dilated pupils.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I need the brutal honesty if I’m going to make the right university choice. One of the reasons for my aiming for the best schools is because I’ve had my undergraduate batch mates with lower aggregates get into places like Arizona State, University of Florida etc. I figure I should aim for something higher considering I’ve got better marks. </p>
<p>Could you perhaps point out a few universities for Mech Eng that might be placed between my initial choices and ASU/UF ? Do I have a better chance at universities like Ohio State or Wisconsin or Colorado ?</p>
<p>Do you know how your grades are converted? Are you being graded out of 100?</p>
<p>Ireland has the same problem;I’m on a scholarship with my
average running at 70%. Not impressive sounding, but Irish grading is very different; a pass is a 40% and a 70% is an A mark. I’ve never known anyone to get above 75%.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how it is over there but check how it’s converted.</p>
<p>Don’t quite know how the Indian undergraduate scores translates, I’ll have to look into it. </p>
<p>The British Master’s grades are exactly like what you mentioned though. 70+ is an A, my 67 would roughly translate to a B+ of sorts. I remember reading somewhere that a 2.1 in the British system is usually accepted to be a 3.5 in the U.S system.</p>
<p>I’d have to find someplace where I can get these conversions into GPA done officially though. Fun times.</p>
<p>Grades and scores look good. I know that a 76% is actually quite high in the Indian system. Those are going to be a lot less relevant, though, than your research experiences. How much research experience do you have? That paper you have, is it published in a scientific journal? Have you presented at scientific conferences? Have you done research with any of those letter writers who can talk about how great of a researcher you are? Research is going to be the key factor in your application.</p>
<p>It’s impossible to tell whether you’re going to get in because GRE scores are actually the smallest part of the app probably, and the GPA, while a solid part of it, is going to be taken in the context of your letters and your statement and your research experience.</p>
<p>I studied under the British system before transferring here to the states. A 2.1 translates to an american GPA of 3.3-3.59 GPA ( second class upper division right?)
If all the other admission requirements are pretty good, you stand a decent chance in getting into Austin and Purdue. i don’t know much about the other schools</p>
<p>I would think that UT-Austin, Purdue and CMU are realistic for you. Michigan is a stretch and Stanford and Berkeley are an even bigger stretch mostly based on the fact that while your grades sound good, you only really have one publication. Then again, maybe that one publication and the recommendation from the very well known professor would be enough. I would say that while it is a bit of a stretch for you, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility either, so why not apply just in case? I would also throw out a few apps to some safeties as well just to be safe.</p>
<p>One other suggestion is to see if that well known professor has any connections here in the States at top schools that he can hook you up with. Connections can go a long way, and if you apply to a top school with a working relationship with that professor, it could help immensely.</p>