Introduction ⚡️
From an early age, I was inculcated with the idea of getting an education of the highest level. My whole family is highly educated and they have always pushed me to attain as much knowledge as I wish to. Master's is one of the highest levels of education that anyone can attain and from an early age, I had made a decision that I had to do MS irrespective of anything. I wanted to gain expertise in my field of interest and nothing better than a Masters's could have helped me achieve the same hence I decided to go for it.
I chose the US for my higher studies because Universities in the US provide their students with facilities and support like no other country. For my course specifically, the US has a few of the best universities which have amazing curriculum structures along with the sharpest minds in my particular field.
My Profile 🙇🏻♂️
- Class X - St. Michaels School (94.6%)
- Class XII - DAV Model School (93.8%)
- B.Tech - VIT Vellore (8.96 CGPA)
- Product Designer - Dyte (July 2022 - June 2023)
Research & Shortlisting 🪡
This is one of the most important and difficult steps of the application process. In the US multiple universities provide a specific course which is highly reputed and ranked, but you cannot apply to all of them. When choosing a university the most important thing is the course structure and the subject offered in that course. Every person has different expectations and needs for their Masters's degree, so it is very important to perform detailed research on the course offered by every university and determine which university provides courses and facilities aligned with your goals and expectations.
Apart from doing the research yourself, make sure you connect with the alumnus and the current students so that you get a first-hand experience of the course and university life. A current student will be able to help you understand the current scenario and experience in the university whereas an alumnus can help you get a better idea about the post-Masters opportunities. Also while shortlisting the universities, look into the campus and city life to get a better understanding of life out there.
I researched a lot while shortlisting my universities and connected with numerous seniors to get a better insight into every university and the courses offered by them. After rigorous research and discussion, I shortlisted the University of Washington, the University of Maryland, the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Houston and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.
Application Process 🧵
Let's break this down into separate steps -
GRE
A lot of universities in the US have waived the GRE or made it optional. Although not necessary I would recommend taking the test because it will give weightage to your application no matter what. A 320+ score on GRE is good enough and clears the requirements of almost all the Universities in the US. I scored exactly 320 in my GRE which helped me clear cutoffs for all the universities successfully.
To prepare for GRE I took a 6 months course from Magoosh which was helpful for me. It had recorded videos on all the topics and they provide you with numerous practice questions which will make you ready to take the test. I took the exam pretty late in November, but I would recommend taking the test between June - September so that you have a chance to go for a 2nd attempt if needed also it will give you time to work on your other application documents and essays.
TOEFL/IELTS
This is one of the most important exams and everyone should take any one of these. Most of the universities in the US, UK or any other country require you to submit scores of one of these tests. I prepared for TOEFL from Magoosh as well, I took a 1-month course which introduced me to the various sections of the paper and helped me prepare for them as well. I got 109/120 in my TOEFL which is good enough for any university.
Resume
A resume is important for a Master's degree application because it showcases your qualifications, differentiates you from other applicants, provides an overview of your background, and highlights relevant skills. When creating a resume, include sections for contact information, objective or personal statement, education, research experience, work experience, skills, publications and presentations, awards and honours, extracurricular activities, and references (optional). Tailor your resume to the specific program, be concise and organized, and focus on the most relevant information.
Statement of Purpose
A statement of purpose (SOP) is important for a Master's degree application as it demonstrates your motivation, showcases your strengths, reflects your research interests, and demonstrates fit with the program. When writing an SOP, include an introduction, academic background, research interests, career goals, fit with the program, unique qualities, and a conclusion.
Remember to tailor your SOP to the specific Master's program you are applying to, showcasing your genuine interest and aligning your goals with the program's offerings. Be concise, coherent, and demonstrate your passion and dedication to the field. I took almost 3 weeks to draft and finalize my SOPs. While working on the SOP the biggest challenge I faced was deciding what to mention and what not to mention since there is a word limit. Make sure everything you choose to write on the SOP is a reflection of your personality and not just random details. Since there are no interviews, the SOP shows the reviewer what kind of person you are and what makes you a perfect fit for the course. Once your draft is ready, get it reviewed by the people you trust, who can give solid feedback.
Reach out to me on Linkedin, to get your resume or statement of purpose reviewed or need some help with it.
Letter of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation (LOR) is important for a Master's degree application as it provides an objective assessment of your qualifications, validates your abilities, demonstrates your potential, and offers a different perspective. When requesting a LOR, choose the right recommenders, provide the necessary information, allow ample time, offer guidance if needed, and follow application guidelines. I took 3 LORs - Two from my professors in VIT and one from my Manager at Dyte. While choosing your recommenders make sure they are people who you have closely worked with since they will be the ones who can precisely talk about you and your achievements as an individual.
Remember, it is crucial to maintain a professional and courteous approach throughout the process. Express your gratitude to the recommenders for their time and effort in supporting your application.
Reach out to me on Linkedin, to get assistance in your letter of recommendations.
Portfolio
A portfolio is important for a Master's degree application as it demonstrates practical skills, showcases creativity, supports achievements, and provides a visual representation of your work. When creating a portfolio, select your best work, provide context, highlight key skills, include documentation, organize it effectively, and consider the presentation format. Tailor your portfolio to the specific program and regularly update it with new work and accomplishments.
I did not have a website so I created a pdf document highlighting my projects and client works. You can simply create a pdf and if you wanna do something different create a portfolio on Notion and use that to showcase your work.
Academic Documents
This varies from university to university, but the most important documents are your Class 10th & 12th mark sheets and pass certificates, Transcripts from your university and provisional degree if you have received one. Also, attach the certificates of achievements wherever possible and needed.
Waiting Period & Decision 🕰️
I completed my application and after doing a thorough check I submitted all my applications by mid-December. Although the waiting period is quite long as universities in the US take 2-3 months to review and give out a decision, at the end of the day all the waiting is worth it.
I got my first response from RIT on the 28th of January and fortunately, I got an admission from there. By the end of February other universities started sending out their decisions. Of the 5 universities that I applied to, I got into 3 of them - Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Houston for Masters in Human-Computer Interaction.
I finalized Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis from all my admits. My main reasons for doing so are the course curriculum offered by the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at IUPUI and the experience and research work of the faculties. Apart from that the community and facilities at IUPUI are exceptional and align with my needs and goals.
Dilemma 🧠
Apart from the US, I applied to the University of Queensland in Australia. UQ is highly ranked and has a great campus life and an amazing city life as it is located in one of the most beautiful cities in the world i.e. Brisbane. I got into MS Interaction Design at the University of Queensland and MS Human-Computer Interaction at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. It was a big decision for me to make as I had to choose between two completely different environments as these are two different countries. I did a lot of research and discussed this with a lot of students and alumni. Finally, after analyzing the courses offered by the two universities and the opportunities available on campus, I understood that the course at IUPUI aligns clearly with my goals and ambitions.
Conclusion 🙌🏻
Although the whole process seems overwhelming and feels like a lot to do, once you get started with the process you will be able to successfully tick boxes one after the other. To get into a good University in the US, you should start building your profile as early as possible by participating in events, doing internships and working on various projects. Don't wait for deadlines and apply way before the deadlines instead of procrastinating till the end.
Reach out to me on Linkedin or mail me at mehulagarwal2312@gmail.com if you need any help or want to talk about things related to design and product building.
All the best. Cheers! 🍻
I'll be posting a blog on the visa process and pre-departure preparations soon. Stay tuned!
