EE Universities

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QUESTION:

Hello Sir, 

      This is Vineela persuing B.Tech final year in Electrical and Electronics Engineering . I am writing my GRE exam on 11th of  March. I am a final year student and I am interested in Electrical subject like Machines, Power Systems, Control Systems, I can do well in any electrical subject. I want to pursue my masters in EE. Will you please send me the good universities so that I can send my application. 

10th percentage  83%

12th   89.4 %

B.tech  70% no backlogs
GRE minimum expected score 294. 

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ANSWER:

Hi Vineela, 

Congratulations on your decision to pursue Masters in the US. 

These days Power Engineers are in great demand due to clean energy initiatives. My friends were able to find jobs very easily while being in college. Plus after US presidential elections now the policies towards green energy and infrastructure development are more clear and concrete. This will spiral up job growth in Electrical Engineering field. 

You have a pretty strong 10th and 12th score and decent undergrad score. Admissions into Tier 1-2 Universities depend heavily on GRE score so try to keep score above 305 benchmark.

Your field of study demands good research based Universities. Below are the Universities you should apply to.

1) University of Colorado at Boulder.
Why: Good research. Job opportunities. 

2) Polytechnic Institute of New York University.
Why: Experience of being in New York City. Job Opportunities. 

3) Michigan Technological University.
Why: Free application. Low fees. Job Opportunities. Great people.

4) University of Wisconsin at Madison or Milwakee
Why: Good research. Job opportunities. 

5) University of Texas at Arlington.
Why: Job opportunities. 

6) University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Why: Job opportunities. 

7) North Dakota State University
Why: Almost 100% scholarship. Study for 1 semester and than take transfer to better University

Usually students get low GPA in first semester due to non-experience reasons. You can clean this stain by transferring to a better University after first semester. This way you can gain experience for free and have another opportunity to make better GPA with 9 credits to transfer.

8) Washington State University
Why: Job opportunities. 

Good luck!!! 

Universities to select for 3yrs IT experience and Avg Profile

Question-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am frm ECE field and working in XYZ in Pune , I am applying for univ in canada,  germany, netherland, singapore .... not US coz i think thats will be very costly ...

I have decided some univs also... but prob is that I have avg profile... except work exp of 3 yrs ... that also i doubt wont help as it is in IT sector... n i want to apply for electrical field :(

now prob is that univ i have selected are among the top univ ... now confused whether it will be right to apply to these univ.... means i have to have gud academinc profile (like IIT name)

would be very helpful if u can help me how to select univ.... it should be all top ... or some avg unv also... 

how much will be the expenses if i apply in US or any other ... 

Suggestion----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, 

Good that you have decided for MS after 3 yrs of Experience. 

Your question mainly boils down to 

1) Which country for MS

2) Which Universities to apply for

For 1) I think US offers best option for you. As you mentioned cost as a factor, I believe the return on investment (ROI) is pretty high. In spite of avg academic record, your GRE score would determine how much scholarship you get. Your soft skills would help you landing an on campus job. Plus there are lots of internship opportunities available (Your US based company work-ex would be helpful). So in the end I believe you will gain valuable experience and education plus your balance sheet would be in green.

For 2) The job market for international students in US is in favor of IT. So if you want to go for Electrical you have to be in one of the best Universities and have to do a thesis\project on something which industry needs. 

Electrical is a broad field. Unless you mention what you are interested in 1) VLSI 2) Embedded 3) Telecom 4) Power 5) Computer Network 6) Semiconductors and many more. 

Basically for Computer Networks look for schools in California or NY City. For VLSI and Embedded go for schools in California, Texas, Michigan, Chicago area. For Power look for schools in Michigan, NJ, NY, California or may be anywhere. Power is very good across US.

I hope this helped. Let me know if you find this useful. 

University to apply for given profile.

Oct-Nov-Dec-Jan are the months when students start applying to Universities.


So the natural Question is which University to go for.


Here is a profile i received earlier this week regarding it.








Profile is :
GRE ~ 1400-
TOEFL~100+
GPA~3.7
Uni-NIT BHOPAL
Many other Curricular activites and projects.
Work: Well known MNC for 1+ year.


Q:There are some colleges for which i need to know my chances to get in:

1. University of California, Irvine
2.  CMU
3. Texas A&M University--College Station
4. Cornell University
    University of California--Los Angeles
   
5. Georgia Institute of Technology
   
6. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey--New Brunswick
   
7. 
   
   
   
   

and it will be very helpful also if you can categorize them as expensive or moderate.

If i have missed any good uni in which my chances are good ,you can mention it .

One more thing .Can you tel me the scope of some fields in Us ?.I mean job market for some fields.

Starting with the list of University you gave.

All of them are said to be Expensive to some extend. California University's have a tradition of being expensive. But to say Rutgers is the least expensive among all (Moderate).

So done with the cost part, would suggest some other University too.

University of Maryland, College Park (Takes less international students but you have a chance) 

Univeristy of Texas, Austin (Demands research paper as u do not have but do try it)

NCSU, SUNY Stonybrook, Arizona State Uni., Ohio State, Iowa State are few other recommendations

Most of them are moderate and worth to go for. Both for on-study jobs, Funding and after study jobs.

Well regarding demand in US, Networking is something to  go for. Jobs do not get easily outsourced in this field. So...And also Systems is a good option.

.

I would suggest you to go for Georgia Tech, ASU, NCSU, Stony brook,  Ohio State, Maryland, USC (very expensive), UFL to for. Most of them are expensive. So you can select San Jose as a cheap one, (But far bellow what you deserve). On East Coast Rutgers is a good one and Stevens will be a good option too.

I hope i was able to answer your Q's. If you have any more doubts you may feel free to ask for.

Process for getting admitted for Masters in US

                                 
Recently  i had many Questions from Readers across India asking for the steps to start with the process to apply for Masters, right from scratch.

Here i will explain with all minute things to consider for applying

Note: Once you are in third year, you should be reading this.

For admissions in any moderate to good University following raw materials is required.

GRE, TOEFL/ IELTS, Transcript (from University), University to select,Statement of Purpose, Letter of Recommendation, Degree Certificate / Temporary Degree Certificate, Financial Statement of Availability of funds, Online Application Form and University specific other documents and a Valid Visa.

I will cover all these in brief, and any doubts there after can be mailed to me.

GRE: GRE has three parts

1) Verbal

2) Quantitative

3) AWA Analytical Writing skills.

Out of these start worrying about Verbal. Maths is a handiwork for Engineers and third year students will cover most part during placement preparation. 

What they would not is Verbal. There are more than 2.5K words to prepare for. So start this process right from day 0. Remember take this as fun and not as a time consuming exercise. You will really enjoy playing with words. I used to go online and play scrabble with international players. Was fun.

More details about how to prepare is available here.

http://enchantedviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/for-all-gre-aspirant.html 

Moreover it is essential to give GRE, within span of 3-4 months. Here is the reason why.

http://enchantedviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/best-time-to-give-gre.html

2) Toefl/ IELTS: Well friends there is a common impression that TOEFL is compulsory for US. Well you can also give IELTS. In my opinion IELTS is easy to score and so you would have more chances to score more.

There is a general impression among applicants that Universities do not give priority to IELTS based applicants. This is completely baseless and false. The fact is that although i had given TOEFL and scored 106, but given IELTS is more convenient and easy. (As centers in many smaller cities of country).

3) Transcript:

 This is only for already pass out students. For students just coming after graduation, will not have it, so can submit latter.

This should be obtained from University or College (Depends on University's demands). Usually getting from College is easy than University. Moreover University takes alot of time and leads to harassment.

So be specific in number of copies you need. Also check the transcript once you get as many a times their is a mistake and the entire process has to be repeated again.

4) Statement of Purpose: My SOP is given for reference

http://enchantedviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/sop-for-ms-in-electrical-engineering.html

This is an example, how you should summarize your SOP.

5) Letter of Recommendation:

This is the reason why you need to keep good relation with your Prof. Your Professor will give you Letter of Recommendation. It is a letter of approval of your credentials and stuff. If you need a format i can give it to you. Generally 3 different LOR are needed by each University. If with work experience, then it should be  2 of Prof and 1 of Employer. 

Till past few years it was hard copy LOR required. But now a days more and more University are asking for Online LOR. 

In this case you can ask your Prof. to mail the login details send to him by University so that you can fill your own LOR by you self. 

Moreover LOR is generally prepared by students itself and only the stamp and signature of Prof is asked for. [At least my Prof. did not take pain of making my LOR]. 

6) Degree Certificate: For Final year students this can be avoided and send later. But for pass out students this has to be send with other hard copy documents.

7) Financial Document: It is a proof of your financial capability to pay fees.

Generally a financial form is online of each University, which has to be signed by your sponsor.

8) Online Application:

I always tell all candidates to do this ASAP. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY DOCUMENT OR GRE SCORE. ALL DEADLINES ARE BASED ON THIS. 

So just apply online and later process will be done as and when documents get ready.

9) VISA

The most important part of the entire process. Will mention details once you clear all previous procedure.

10) Financial support:

Each University has different way to apply for financial support. 

Now i know i have misssed many other steps, but to keep it terse i had no other option.  Any queries can be mailed and will try to answer most of them.

All the best.

Admissions in CS for current profile.

  


    This is the Profile of a student, interested to get admit in  MS-CS.




Graduation Percentage: ~ 60%
University:JNTU
GRE:~ 1450
TOEFL~110
Other Achievements: 1.Internship at IIT ,Couple of Projects, 1st in Paper P.+ President of various College Level Org.


Well there was no Question given, so i assume It's which Uni.to apply for?


To begin with. You have a very good GRE, TOEFL score. Internship at IIT will be a key point which will make difference.


So these are universities which i would suggest from the list of University you gave and some from mine.


GaTech is a right choice.
(Good chances of getting in)


NorthEastern University


Drexel University (Free Application)


SUNY Buffalo


North Carolina State University


University of Florida (Expensive)


University of Southern California (Expensive)


Purdue University


Michigan State University


All of these are good and take a chance in them.


All the best. If any doubts do not hesitate to ask.









    
 

Admission in CS with following profile.

Profile: (90% +) B.E.
           1200+    GRE

The question was asking for comments for getting in certain Universities given.

Well starting with the first one.
GeorgiaTech- It demands winners. You have a good B.E. score but need to get over 100 in TOEFL and should have won enough laurels to get admitted in this University. I have a friend of mine admitted in Fall-09 admitted in it.His profile was around 1400 in GRE, 110 TOEFL, B.E ~ 68% and had many extracurricular prizes like winning Microsoft sponsored all India level programming competition, Intership in MNC along with studies, to mention few.

So i would recommend you to try your luck here if you an SOP which can prove your worth.

Other mentioned  are Iowa and Ohio State. They both are located in Urban area so can better to apply here.

University of Minnesota is good for Electrical Engg. I have no idea for Computer. But i would recommend to apply for University located more closer to Comp. Industry. Which happens to be more in NY, NJ, TX and California. So i would not suggest you to apply here.

Now shifting to next list. Stony brook is what i would highly recommend. As in NY, would also help in getting an off campus job.  Good Transportation, Good Life and many financial Co's having IT division. These points make it a must apply University. UC Davis- is a good one. A bit Expensive if you can afford.
UFL is good. My friend with GRE 1520 and having BE from NIT, Surat helped his cause of getting in. So it again demands a good SOP. Again i would not say it as a Moderate University as you have listed. It is a wonderful University with a good track record. University of Maryland- Have no idea but would recommend it as is in Urban area and has many big companies around.

San Jose is a safe University and you should apply here for the same reason. Currently Networking is considered a nice field as far as CS goes. So i would suggest to apply to NCSU. And again this is not a safe University as listed by you. It is having a very big expanding IT park near it. Which boasts Co. like IBM, CISCO and other biggies. So i would highly recommend to apply here.

Apart from University you have stated i would recommend Rutgers and Stevens. They are good and have an exellent track record.

I would suggest you to apply to 7-8 Universities (2 safe + 3 moderate + 3 Dream level).

All the best. If any doubts, do ask for.

Answers to Questions on 4th of Oct

These are some of the Q i received on 4th of October.

I ve already sent the applications to 6 universities in USA  for MS...My GRE score is only 1110...and my academic percent is 82.Is the score very low?

I am preparing for TOEFL.... I have some doubts regarding i\the test.Since u ve taken the test..,Ur ideas ll be of more help..

How about the long formats....are there chances to get long formats in both reading and listeningf?

Does the word count appear in writing section? I ve been practicing Barrons and am used to wordcount...

In which volume ,we should speak-much louder?

Starting with the first Question of yours. Well As i have written earlier--There is something for everyone. So it cannot be defined if your score is less or not. If i answer Statistically- well your score lies on the average belt (GRE scores). Again, I have no idea which 6 Uni. have you applied to.But anyhow looking at your academic aggregate you have a good chance of getting in good University (Again good depends on many factors).

Regarding Toefl doubts , Yes be prepared for long passages and also your listening passage. My advice for Listening would be to write what ever you hear with full concentration. What i mean is you should know what you have written where. So that once you have started with Questions, you will not waste time in searching what you have written where. Regarding Reading, do not leave any uncompleted answer. As there is a negative penalty for that. 

Well for Writing part you will have wordcount so need not worry for that part.

Regarding volume. The software of TOEFL test has a voice adjusting program. So they will test you with a casual topic of 20 seconds, and accordingly adjust the volume. So you can speak in a normal way and it will adjust the volume by itself.

If any more doubts with TOEFL please do not hesitate to mail me. I may give a only TOEFL article for tips as i did for GRE in past.

2) i have a GRE score of 1050,with split score quant :760 verbal:290
     engineering ~ 65%
     intermediate~ 92%
     tenth~ 90%

toefl yet to take,completed my engineering in electronics and communication and want to pursue MS in electronics and communications in a good university with aid,please guide me in the university selection,and suggest some universities which provide scholarship

Well, you have a balanced score till now except for GRE. Still you get away with decent University. Now Electronics and Communication is a wide field. If you want to get into Communication field (Wireless Communication, Networking), i would suggest some and if you want in Electronics (VLSI, Embedded, Solid State Device) againt the University would be different. 

Anyhow i will give for both according to your scores. 

For Electronics 

- Solid State- Michigan Tech, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Wisconsin, Johns Hopkins University.

-VLSI- Embedded- Uni of Texas at Arlington, NY ploy, San Jose State University, San Diego State Uni, CSU, Northridge.

Communication- IIT Chicago, University of Illinois, NY Poly, Michigan Tech. CSU Northridge.

I hope this may have answered all your Queries.  All the best for future. 

Reply to Mails Recieved on Oct. 3rd EST related to MS

I badly wanna go for US in a good university for my MS.

right now i m clueless!

what is the criteria?

what gre score do i require?

does a very good gre score alone make u a worthy applicant?

do i need to be in touch with the college professors constantly?

Well this is a open answer. Going to US without GRE/TOEFL is also possible. But since you are specific with good University,  i would say GRE should be 1000 + and TOEFL be 80+ . 

So CRITERIA is nothing as such. The scores one have, gets certain Uni. of one's own class. For an IIT'ian anything less than an Ivy-league does not fall in his criteria. For me, it is heaven.

Now application depends as i have said earlier, on lots of factor. Most Important for MS is GPA, GRE.

Secondary are TOEFL, SOP, LOR, CO-curricular, and Work EX. These becomes important for Financial Aid also.

So REMEMBER where ever one may be, there is something for everyone. Getting best out of what one has, is a work of smartness.

2) i have a gre score of 1050 and nt yet got my score card,is it neccesary for me to giv toefl,or can i apply without it.and could u plz recomend some gud collegs for me as am an Electronics engineer but i want to go for master in artificial intelligence or V.L.S.I?

Well TOEFL is required as said  earlier to get into ''good' University. In my opinion it should be anywhere above 80.

Now there are good Uni in two ways ----

Good Education but not so many Electronic Co. for Career Fair. As is my case. Michigan Tech. (As aways from office of all these Co.)

Mediocre Education---- But as being very close to all these Co. have advantage of good after college job prospects.

If you are planning for AI, VLSI, my suggestion would be to go to Uni. near California or Texas.SJSU, SDSU, Uni of Texas at Arlington, U of C at Northridge, Michigan Tech(Application is free). 

Work or MS/MIS

Today i had a very interesting Q about advice to Work or continue education by going for Masters in CS or MIS.


His profile is 10th , 12th > 90%, BE avg ~ 70
Have GRE in mid Oct.


Q- I got job in XXXXXX as a XXXXXXXXXX and the joining date will be XXXXX-XXXX

so what i have to do

1)did i apply for the uni or work for tcs for 2-3 years and then apply??

2)what do u suggest ms cs or mis??

3)u suggest 4 uni i will apply to those universities?(low tution and good placements)

Answering your First Q

1) XXXXXXXX is a well named Co. Also unlike others (Tech Mahindra) they would honor the job offer. So there is no doubt that you will be joining it.

My advice would be to continue with the offer for atleast 2 years.

This would also help in getting Financial Aid once you have a broader horizon of the field.

Now GRE scores are Valid for 5 years. So  may give xam on Oct -23 and use these score for admission after 2-3 years of Work Exp.

Again MS or MIS is a decision of yours. I know it is very confusing right now. But that is with every student of your age. So once you are working with like-minded ppl, you would automatically get answer to this Q.

So to conclude my advice is to work (Will help for financial aid, give edge to your application, you will be more confidant and will help in after Grad Job prospects)+ Give GRE and get good score + Send free score to Uni. Texas at Arlington, Univesity of Texas A&M, Michigan Tech, Arizona State Uni are my suggested Uni.


These all are cheap and also good.

All the best and pls feel free for any need.

University to apply for given profile.

Early in the day i had a mail from a final  year student of Computer Science Dept.


His profile is Distinction in 10th (Although does not matter)
in 12 th above 90%, 6 semester Avg in BE is around 70% and GRE score is near mid 1000's




His Question is
"I know for my score It is vry difficult to get a scolarship.Can U plz
tel me some universities in Computer Science  which offers a very good
funding(TA,RA,Tution waver,Shollarships) atleast from 2nd Sem onwards."

Well, as in my earlier post i have mentioned, the admissions in the program depends on many parameters. 

So starting with the latest scores. 

Your low GRE score can be offset by quickly applying (Online) for admissions. Moreover you should also carefully prepare your SOP and draft your LOR to the best.

In the meantime try to take part in some Paper Presentation, so that you have something to right in extra-curricular.

Now as your GPA is good and as final year is always said to be bonus to scores, your GPA will go upto 3.6(if no atkt), which is said to be good enough to be considered for scholarships.

Moreover you have enough time to interact with the Prof. of Uni. So take this time to interact with as many Prof. of your field and try to prove that you are a good student. This will help you to gain an advantage over your peers.

REMEMBER most students (80%) apply in January. So the key to your success lies in how quick you can implement strategies.

Regarding which Uni to apply.

I would suggest:

• Steven Institute of Tech, San Jose State Uni. (Medium Uni. and over all good as far as work prospects are considered.
• Arizona State Uni., State Uni. of NY , NY POLY, Rochester Inst. of Tech (Again good)
• Michigan Tech (Good chances of getting funded, but climate is harsh)
• And finnaly University of Southern California (If money not a big issue.)

So to conclude: ACT FAST, INTERACT WITH PROF, AND HAVE GOOD SOP, LOR and extra Curricular. 

ALL THE BEST .

An enthusiastic net-surfer from India had a typical admission Query.

He has everything on his side GPA of around 3.9, GRE score hovering around 1500.

Few doubts which he raised are as follows:

1)How is the research going on in the field of VLSI (We are thinking of applying to VLSI)?

2) How are the job prospects after completion of our MS?

3) How are the funding oppurtunities in MS for EE?

4) Is our profile sufficient for applying there?

Well starting with first, VLSI is one of the best paying fields in EE. But due to recent downturn there has been quite reduction as far as research is concerned. No wonder Big Universities are getting funding but the correction has been by 60%. So once you prove your performance in the first Sem, then one has a good chance of getting research. The key is, while applying for Admissions, talk to Prof. about your interest and may be this will give you an edge against your peers.

So the answer is YES funding is available for those who prove their worth.

Second. Job Prospects are a bit shaky for VLSI Engg. It is said that Co. don't hire freshers easily as "Time to market" factor is very important in this field. So new hands would delay the stuff for them (Remember Moore Law). So it is better to opt for subjects in Embedded System and VLSI in first sem and then in second Semester you may decide what to do. In this way you may make things more clear.

Moreover even in VLSI (Being a large field) there are many domains. Digital, Analog, Mixed Signal and many more. Let me give you a brief intro about it. Before few years there was a large demand for Digital Designers and suddenly Analog designers demand increased. ARM, INTEL everyone ran behind Analog Engg. So it is all matter of time and no one can say what is more better.

My advice as you get admit in ECE and not only Electronics you may apply in general but latter may shift to field you think may lead you to a safe future.

Third. Research and Funding goes parallel. If you have good funding you are going to have good research so it is the same with answer 1. But if you are looking for what research is going on currently in VLSI? Then well i am doing in Research and Placement. Which is almost last step of complete VLSI package. Some people are also doing in Bio-chip which happens to be of my interest too.

Forth. Your profile is terribly good man. For American Universities, Osmania or Maharaja Sayaji Rao University is the same. Only IIT is a brand here as far as Indian Uni are to be considered. So any internship and paper presentation or projects are only taken into account when you do not have a good GRE, TOEFL and GPA. In your case everything is well structured so your extra-curricular would be an icing of the cake.

In simple words don make sure your SOP is nicely drafting so it would leave simply no room for your rejection of application.

Some Universities which i can suggest you is University of Michigan, North Carolina State University, University of Texas at Dallas, A & M, University of California (Irvine, Berkley), University of Southern California (You will get a sure shot admit) , Rutgers (NJ), Arizona State University, Georgia Tech and to be on safe side apply to Michigan Tech, UT at Arlington.

ALL THE BEST for your future aspirations and if you have any doubt do not hesitate to contact.