App guideline book

Name: C. ADDARSH

Roll No: ME11B154

Area of specialization: Mechatronics, Control

CGPA (while applying): 9.51/10

Email Id: addarsh.cherokie@gmail.com

Applied Universities and programs:

Stanford University (MS in Mechanical)

MIT (MS in Mechanical)
Carnegie Mellon University (MS in Robotics
Institute)
University of Michigan (MS in Mechanical)
Purdue University (MS in Mechanical)
University of British Columbia Vancouver (MASc in Mechanical)

Admits: Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, University of Michigan

Rejects: MIT

GRE score: 329/340, Writing: 4.0/6.0

TOEFL score: 113/120

Internship: MITACS summer internship at UBC Vancouver

FAQs:
1. MS or PhD?

Most Mechanical Departments in US universities do not allow an undergraduate from a 4 year

undergraduate program to apply directly to their PhD program. If you are finishing your Masters at
IIT, you can apply to a PhD program.

That said, I think it depends on the kind of commitment you are willing to make and your long term
interests. If you are strongly passionate about research in your field of interest, a PhD would do you
good. But then, a PhD will also require one to specialize completely in one area and work hard for 4-6
years. So, if you are really not very sure about specializing and making a commitment, PhD may not
be your thing.

A Masters on the other hand gives you 2 years to go slightly in depth in your area of interest. Also, if
you are unsure of a PhD but want to explore your area of interest, the Masters program is a good
choice.
2. Funding

If you get admitted to a PhD program, you will most probably be getting funding in the form of
Fellowship or RAship (Research Assistance ship). So, there is no need to worry for funding if you get
a PhD admit.

If you get admitted to an MS program, in most cases you will not receive direct funding (unless if you
are nominated for a Fellowship by the university). MS programs are avenues for revenue for US
universities and so are never funded. That said, you can look for funding opportunities after joining
the university in the form of RAship or TAship. Once you get one of these two, your tuition fees will
get covered and you will receive a stipend on top of it.

3. Selection criterion

There is no single criterion for selection as you may know. But, I think it is good to have a balanced
profile when you are applying.

By balanced, I mean:

One or two good projects in your area of interest/ related area of interest
One good internship experience
A good CGPA (8+ for sure)
One very strong recommendation
A well written Statement of Purpose
Good GRE (315+) and TOEFL (105+) scores

If you feel you lack in any one of these criteria, try to make one of the others stronger. All said and
done, there are still many external factors that are taken into consideration by the admissions
committee when they review your file. Even if your profile does great in all these criteria, you may
still fail to secure an admit (this is not meant to discourage you).

4. Recommendations

Recommendations are an important part of your application process. Almost all universities ask for 3
recommendations to your application and you need to take them seriously. Out of the 3
recommendations, most universities insist that at least 2 are academic references. It is important,
like I mentioned before, that you have at least one very strong recommendation. Therefore, when
you approach a professor, be bold and ask him to give you a strong recommendation. There is a
huge difference between a general recommendation and a strong one, so make sure you get that
done.

Also, a professors positive word about you has more weight than all the self-praise that you do in
your SoP and Resume. So, it is a must that you stay in touch with the professors you have previously
worked with or are currently working with and be on their good terms. The more they know about
you, the more strongly they can word their recommendation and the better your chances for
securing an admission.

C. Balaji (Mechanical Department)

Ram Krishna Pasumariti ( Electrical Department)

5. Statement of Purpose

A Statement of Purpose is your statement as to why you want to pursue graduate studies. Here, you
need to mention all the events in your life that motivated you to apply to graduate school. Usually
two pages long (unless otherwise specified), it was to be earnest, concise, well structured and have a
natural flow. Here is the link to some guidelines you can follow while writing your SoP.

http://web.mit.edu/msrp/myMSRP/docs/Statement%20of%20purpose%20guidelines.pdf

Be serious about your SoP, it will count.

6. Dos and Donts

Dont delay starting your application process. Start laying the groundwork from August itself.
Make sure that you finish writing your GRE and TOEFL well in advance (By end of September,
latest). This way, you can fully concentrate on your application from October.
Start your SoP early, it will take you at least 2 drafts to reach the final version.
Get your SoP reviewed by as many people as you can. At the same time, dont let their
reviews hijack your originality. Maintain that.
Intimate professors about your desire to apply for higher studies and ask for their approval
for recommendation well in advance. The professor must know you are serious. It helps.
Dont rush to professors two weeks before the application deadline and ask for a
recommendation. You need to give the professor sufficient amount of time, at least a
month.
Send your Grade Transcripts together in groups of 8-9. It becomes cheaper that way and
easier for the graduate admissions to sort. No RG.
Form a mech app group and find out where your classmates are applying. You should be
aware.

7. Project or research that helped

3rd year intern project in Canada.

Had a couple conference papers with Ram Krishna.

8. Contact Details

Feel free to contact me if you have any further doubts.

My email address: addarsh.cherokie@gmail.com

9. Take home message

Applying is a time taking and occasionally frustrating process, but at the end, very rewarding.

Be patient. Be optimistic. Dont give up. Ever.