Higher Study: Looking through a wide Screen

Prepared and presented by:

Aminul Mehedi PhD Student University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, USA

First get clear idea about your desire

Which country should I apply? Or, where I have better opportunity for scholarship? How the university will offer scholarship to me? How much will they pay? Can I get fund only in fall?

Set Your Target

Fall (September - December) Winter/Spring (January- April) Summer (May - August)

Required Documents
1.Official Transcript Official Transcript is issued by Exam Controller office. Details information can be gathered from respective office.

Required Document
2. Letter of Recommendation(LOR) 3 LOR from Professor or Project Manager Try to collect it from the person with whom you have done some research or project

Tips for Recommendation Letter

Dont just put some adjectives for you. You should be FACTUAL Dont write only adjectives about you like He is a very good boy and very good researcher. Try to write this sentence like this: I saw him working on lab for hours and he is very honest about his work. I observed his ability in Materials testing lab, which is really impressive.

3. Statement of Purpose(SOP) 2 page statement about you Advertise yourself 700-800 words What to Write in SOP
Your long term and short term goal, The reason of selecting the university and the department, Your research and work experience Extracurricular activities Your lab and academic skills

Dos and Donts in SOP

Avoid spelling and grammatical mistake Be brief and subjective Never plagiarize from any SOP

Pitfalls of SOP
1. Avoid repeating information found elsewhere on the application 2. Do not complain or whine about the "system" or circumstances in your life 3. Do not preach to your reader. You can express opinions, but do not come across as fanatical or extreme 4. Do not talk about money as a motivator 5. Do not discuss your minority status or disadvantaged background unless you have a compelling and unique story that relates to it 6. Do not remind the school of its rankings or tell them how good they are 7. Do not use boring clichd intros or conclusions
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is..." "This question asks me to discuss..." "I would like to thank the admissions committee for considering my application." "It is my sincere hope that you will grant me the opportunity to attend your fine school." "In sum, there are three reasons why you should admit me..."

Required Documents
4. Test Scores Graduate Record Examination(GRE) TOEFL or IELTS
Some FAQ of tests:
1. Is GRE very hard? 2. Is GRE only for USA? Should I take GRE if I dont apply USA? 3. What language test should I take? IELTS or TOEFL?

Required Documents
5. Resume
Maximum 2 page Follow Academic Resume format
Give following information in your resume: Objective Education Details Research and Work Experience Publications, conferences and Posters Lab and Academic Skill References

Resume preparation
Donts
Personal details: No need to give personal details like Male/Female, Mother's/Father's Name and their details etc. No need to includes the name of the courses that you have taken in you study. As you have to send PDF copy of all credentials together with resume.

Required Documents
6. Online Application
Online form filled up completely Submit form with Application form

Timeline*

*This table is prepared by HSA-Bangladesh

How to Select University

Ranking
Quality of Education Research Field Specific Funding Opportunity International Exposure

Requirements
CGPA GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IETLS Research Experience Job Experience

Job Prospect
Area specific Field specific Career Fair Internship

Expense
Tuition Fees Living Expense

Connections
Relatives Seniors or Alumni Bangladeshi Student Population

Location
Climate

Settlement, Resident-ship Living Standard

Funding & Scholarships

Universities generally fund MS and PhD students with research assistantship, teaching assistantship or fellowship. There are some other specified scholarships for some countries like: Fulbright Scholarship for USA Commonwealth Scholarship for UK/Australia AusAid Scholarship for Australia Erasmus Mundus for Europe

Networking

Professors

Alumni

-When should I start contacting professors? -How could I manage a professor if he doesnt reply!!!!

Research Affiliation
Affiliated in a Project Affiliated in Thesis Review Paper Competition

Social Networking
Facebook (University Groups, Alumni ) LinkedIn (Professional Network) Various Community (BUET,DU,IUT,KUET,CUET,RUET)

Where to find professors

Go to departments website> Faculty/People>Faculty by Research Group>Go through the professors personal page> Make a Spreadsheet Mail in the weekdays and in the morning time in America. Follow this website to check time. (http://www.timeanddate.com/) Mail as many professor as you can. Expect reply after 20-30 mails.

BE FOCUSED

University Ranking
USA
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/topengineering-schools

Canada
http://www.4icu.org/ca/

Australia
http://www.australian-universities.com/rankings/

Asia
http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2011

World University Rankings by Subject

http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-universityrankings/2011/subject-rankings

Some important Websites

http://higherstudyabroad.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/HigherStudyCorner http://www.happyschoolsblog.com/ http://www.msinus.com/forum.php http://www.edulix.com/ http://www.urch.com/forums/forum.php

Thank You