₦airaland Forum

alex5050:
@quoran, please how do you improve on your verbal section::::i wrote gre lastwk and I was flogged with quant 165 and verbal137:::total 302::: i need so much help on the verbal::::please help

I haven't written mine (in a couple of days actually ). Learning new vocabulary from Magoosh flashcards and Manhattan's 5lb, have been helpful with SE and TC.

Also, I have found 2014 Princeton's Review very helpful in RC and LBRC.
Try them out, I believe you'll get some improvement.

Then progress from trying practise tests contained in these books is not overrated!!!

You have a good point here.However, I do not advice anyone to tackle the Comprehension questions first. It could waste your time and you may not finish the rest. I think if you can finish the SE and TC quickly, you can have more time to tackle the comprehension questions.That is my opinion though.
You are right. GRE is not about intelligence. It is putting one's mental stamina to test. Tackling three abtruse verbal sections within 3.5 hours is not easy.

Maverick18:
I honestly think the first step to improving your verbal score is getting 70percent of the comprehension questions right and that comes with a lot of practice(I find Kaplan and Mahanttan useful here), it good to practice. But then the actual value is gotten from reviewing the questions you failed and those you spent too much time on(they could be a better and simpler way).
I also find skipping the Sentence equivalence questions and going to the comprehension a good strategy. Tricks my mind that I have time to carefully go over the comprehension and return to do SE(6 or 5 of them) in the last 4mins, since it basically depends on choosing 2 similar words which can fit into the context(There is a slim chance you can get it wrong in you have done a enough practice and vocabs).
GRE isn't a test of intelligence but rather a test of how much you can practice and the stamina to stay focus for 3-4 hours during actual test.
#my2cents #TeamFall2019

Quoran:
Kindly read a lot of posts here.It will help you with more tips. For me, I used this strategy. I answered the Sentence completion and sentence equivalence questions first on the test day. I tried to understand how it works. I really do not think learning loads of words works much. It is more about looking for clues in the sentence. For the essay, I cannot really say much to be honest. Manhanttan essay questions are really close to what you see on the test day. Practice alot. Also look at the Kaplan free online test. They have really improved and they are also close to the real test questions. All the best.

kindly check your mail sir. i pm u

Thanks Bro. This really helps.

Quoran:
Thank you very much.

1) Honestly, anytime simply because Some Professors have their own research grant and they determine when to choose their students. Fall entry is popular though. I think you can mail them from August/September in preparation for next year's Fall. You will always learn something from their reply. Many will ask you to apply first. Others can interview you first before you apply. It all depends. Some won't even answer you. Funding is limited in Spring. May/June might be too early but there is no harm in trying. Professors try to get research grant and once they do that, they start looking for students. Many usually say they will keep your file and let you know when their funding situation changes. Some will bluntly tell you they cannot fund you.
Some Professors will not reply your mail or answer you until you have formally applied to the school and have been accepted. Some will and tell you their situation. For PhDs, funding is key so most of them will tell you their funding situation immediately.
2) I got this from quora.com and I have used it till this date. Just adjust it to suit your own purpose.
Dear Professor XXXX,
I am a XXXX graduate from the University of XXXXX. I have a Second class, upper division from my undergraduate degree and a distinction from my Master’s degree.
My research interests are XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I am contacting you because I am interested in working with you and your research group. I did my thesis in Bleep and I enjoyed it a great deal. I have also spent quality time working as a research assistant in the Thermo-fluids and Thermal energy systems research groups.I have X publications .
I have gone through your research profile and your publications on your website. My interests are in line with the calibre of research you have been doing. I am interested in building upon my degree experience and expanding my research understanding. I have attached a copy of my Curriculum Vitae and transcripts for your review.
I wish to begin my PhD soon and I am interested in researching under your supervision. I would appreciate if you could review my curriculum Vitae and let me know what the possibilities might be.
Yours Sincerely,
XXXXXXXX

3) I did not get any strong commitment though the Professor from Stanford looked more determined to have me. When I mailed him during the admission process, he told me my application is good but that he has stronger applicants in the pool lol. I felt betrayed. Many do not like to assure you of anything prior to your application. If you have been accepted, it is easier and more productive for them to answer you. Some will even contact you on their own.

4) I learned this from some Indians on Quora. Create a pdf of some of the research work you have done and attach it as a supplementary document. It should not be too long but it should be like a powerpoint presentation. It should contain your UG and PG research work. Also add any poster or even lab experiences you have. It should help. If you have submitted a paper, state it. I learned that some Chinese deliberately submit a paper they know won't be accepted. They do it so that they will have something to boost their application. A Professor of CMU talked about it on Quora.
Professors know this tricks I think. Many have what they are looking for. Submitting a paper is not easy and many Professors know this.
EXTRA STUFF
The general admission process looks like this. When you apply, the graduate school checks if you meet the general requirement. They also convert your CGPA to the 4.0 scale. When they are done, they forward them to the department.
The department then sorts the applications according to the different research group and interest. The Professors review them according to their research interest. They make their decisions based on their own criteria. Some select based on the research funding they have. Some select students and also recommend the department to fund you.
Some admissions come with funding decisions. Some do not. TAMU,RPI, Stanford, UCLA come with funding decisions but they are usually in the minority. RPI only funds their top applicants. The rest have to 'hustle' funding .
The more the research labs in a department, chances are that they fund many students. Experts in their fields have more funds too.
Those with rolling admission will most likely give you admission. The graduate school will review your application and then pass it to the department. Then you need to contact lecturers for funding.

Hello everyone !!!

The great news of admission + funding so far from hopefuls is really exhilarating!!! Congrats!! Best wishes to other hopefuls waiting for admission and funding decisions.

Please, I require some help.
My profile which I posted some time back is:
BSc Geology and Mining
GPA: 4.59/5.00
Prospective Course: MSc/PhD Petroleum Geoscience
GRE: 2nd May ; TOEFL: 2nd June

The schools I have collated to carry out my desired research include:

Preferred choices - UTexas Austin, TAMUC, West Virginia University, Oklahoma State University (These are the schools I intend to report my scores to)

Others - University of Louisiana Lafayette, University of Wyoming and University of Mississippi.

I have found some info on these schools from gradcafe.

Please, I require guidance with regards to the schools I've chosen and other schools I should consider.

Cc: pennstate sirRuddy

Thanks for your help!!!

seeker88:
Considering the timelines in applying, getting admission decision, getting I-20, going to the embassy for visa, etc.....you may not be able to meet up with the whole processes considering the school’s resumption time in August. However, if you feel you can meet up, you may give a try.

thanks alot bro.

Quoran:
So I think it is the right time to share my complete testimony

Dream.Believe.Achieve.

(Pardon my errors).

This is amazing!!!!
You deserve it all, weldone bro.
I wish you all the best in the remaining processes to enter Amelika

Congrats Quoran, the astronomical increase in your GRE is astonishing.
I can relate with the process of contacting over 100 faculties. It can be really demoralizing.
I believe your good research experience and famous supervisor made the difference.
To fall 2019 aspirants, if you are considering top ranked schools, you need to have a good research experience.

Quoran:
So I think it is the right time to share my complete testimony

I have been following this thread since 2015 though as a guest. I had a lot of misconceptions about getting PhD admissions. I thought you must get a supervisor before you apply. I also did not know that it was possible to get funding for one's research as an international student. It is all about getting the right information and taking time to research on different schools. I also learned that the key is to start really early and mail professors. I sent mails to more than 100 Professors!( I kid you not!). Finally I took the bull by the horn and applied to many schools.

This is my profile:
1)Mechanical Engineering B.Eng 3.3/4 (Top Nigerian University)
2)Masters degree Top UK Mechanical Engineering (3.6/4 Unofficial WES evaluation. Two Professors from different schools told me during the skype interview that my CGPA was 3.58 and 3.7 respectively. What that means is that different schools have their own ways of evaluation but the different is not so significant.)
3)No publications but I showed evidence of work in progress.
4)GRE scores -First Attempt 303, Maths 153 ,Verbal 150 , AW -3.5.
GRE scores -Second Attempt 327, Maths 166,Verbal 161,A.W -4.0.

5)My work experience is mostly research based .I do not know if that helped in anyway.

Schools I applied to:
Texas A and M, College station- Accepted with Funding
Stanford University- Rejected nicely
University of California, Berkeley- Waitlisted since 1920
Michigan Tech- accepted with research assistantship
University of Alabama - Accepted
RPI- Accepted with Teaching assistantship.
Oregon State- Accepted in both Mechanical and Industrial Engineering programs.
George Washington- Pending;No decision yet.
University of Virginia- Pending;No decision yet.I suspect my application is on the waitlist.
Washington State University- Accepted; Teaching Assistantship is assured after the 1st semester.

Most schools have a deadline of April 15th to accept offers. I have opted for TAMU, College Station.


My GPA is not spectacular but from what I understand, my Masters degree thesis is a strong area of research that attract alot of funding. The reputation of my masters degree supervisor helped me alot. He is a well known expert in my field.He has over 200 publications and some patents.He wrote superb letters of recommendation for me also. Then, I put in my best in the skype interviews I had. I also spent time drafting my statement of purpose. Then God did the rest- Crowned my effort with success.

Tips and advice

1)Use Quora and Linkedin well. On Quora,I met alot of Professors there. They answer questions on what goes on among the graduate committee. I found students on Quora and Linkedin who told me about admission and funding. I follow a Nigerian guy on Quora who is an expert in graduate admissions. He helped me a great deal. He also told me of this forum. I initially thought he was the same scholastica16 here lol.

2)From my own observation, apply early. Some Professors pick their students early and try to extract some form of commitment especially if they will fund you.

3)If a school has rolling admissions, the probability that you will be funded is low. Beware of schools that offer free applications.

4)Different schools have their own ways of admitting students. Some will not admit you if they do not have funds. Some wont admit you when there is no supervisor. Just find out.
5)Contacting Professors on time helps. One told me that he will look for my application when they start screening. When I mailed him later, He told me that my application is good but that there were stronger applicants in the pool
6)When you mail a Professor, do not write an episode. They will most likely not read it. Be brief. I have tested this many times.
7)Try as much as possible to use official email addresses or even your school email. It helps kind off. Professors receive loads of emails.
Network and search different school forums. You can attend webinars and you will get classic information. Use gradcafe also.
9) For PhD, read and at least know the basics and various research areas. Also try and be flexible.

I hope this helps someone. You are free to ask me questions here. Unfortunately, I have limited access to my nairaland email. Unto the next level- Visa pursuance.

Special thanks to everyone who has posted here from time immemorial. I read all the pages of this thread. Scholastica16, you are a blessing.
DreManuel, thanks for the GRE materials.

Dream.Believe.Achieve.

(Pardon my errors).

Whatsaap group available for those preparing for GRE .contact me if interested lets share materials and practice together .

PM me for complete Manhanttan strategy study guides and 5lb book of practice problems for GMAT. As well as ANY other material by Manhanttan Prep.

kcwitch:
PM me for complete Manhanttan strategy study guides and 5lb book of practice problems for GMAT. As well as ANY other material by Manhanttan Prep.

free ?

Daint:
Are you an engineering student and do you have a 320?

I really do not understand why you asked this question and how it relates to my post. But you can ignore what I said, however.

For the Opportunity Fund program, I have an information that Physics and Chemistry graduates with good second class upper results and above are seriously advised to apply.

Sherlock5577:
Hello everyone !!!

The great news of admission + funding so far from hopefuls is really exhilarating!!! Congrats!! Best wishes to other hopefuls waiting for admission and funding decisions.

Please, I require some help.
My profile which I posted some time back is:
BSc Geology and Mining
GPA: 4.59/5.00
Prospective Course: MSc/PhD Petroleum Geoscience
GRE: 2nd May ; TOEFL: 2nd June

The schools I have collated to carry out my desired research include:

Preferred choices - UTexas Austin, TAMUC, West Virginia University, Oklahoma State University (These are the schools I intend to report my scores to)

Others - University of Louisiana Lafayette, University of Wyoming and University of Mississippi.

I have found some info on these schools from gradcafe.

Please, I require guidance with regards to the schools I've chosen and other schools I should consider.

Cc: pennstate sirRuddy

Thanks for your help!!!

Hello everyone,
Please someone knowledgeable about these schools or any other schools which I should consider for funding,
should address the question I posted earlier. I need to make final choices of schools to report my scores to in order to save costs. I want to ensure I select schools with higher prospects of funding, to avoid having to pay later to report my scores to schools I haven't selected, thereby wasting the free spaces with schools I have just selected.

Thanks in anticipation!!!

Sherlock5577:
Hello everyone,
Please someone knowledgeable about these schools or any other schools which I should consider for funding,
should address the question I posted earlier. I need to make final choices of schools to report my scores to in order to save costs. I want to ensure I select schools with higher prospects of funding, to avoid having to pay later to report my scores to schools I haven't selected, thereby wasting the free spaces with schools I have just selected.

Thanks in anticipation!!!

I know two people that got admitted with full funding to your field for fall 18 one for Ms/PhD in West Virginia University gpa 4.5+/5 GRE 319 toefl 108 and the other Ms Missouri GRE 314 gpa is also a first class gpa.

ponpon:
I know two people that got admitted with full funding to your field for fall 18 one for Ms/PhD in West Virginia University gpa 4.5+/5 GRE 319 toefl 108 and the other Ms Missouri GRE 314 gpa is also a first class gpa.

Thank you sir . I'll check out Missouri too.

My TOEFL. Results expires December 6, 2018.

Is it possible to use it and submit applications for fall 2019, before it expires. Will it be accepted?

Contact the school before you apply. I don't think it will be a problem for majority of the schools. I know some do insist that your English language test scores must have at least a year validity. Make enquiries and even ask for a waiver.

doziej84:
My TOEFL. Results expires December 6, 2018.

Is it possible to use it and submit applications for fall 2019, before it expires. Will it be accepted?

Clarkson University still has some funded PhD positions majorly in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics. There might be some in Physics, Energy(C02 Capture ) and Computer science too.
Simply contact the Professors in the link I have shared below. Search for their official pages and contact them. Make sure your research interest tallies with theirs and there is a good fit. Their application fee is waived at the moment. You need to fill the application form and upload your documents. English Language will be waived for Nigerians if you request for it and put in a good written application. Their average GRE scores are 159 for Quant and 148 for Verbal. 80 for TOEFL and 6.5 for IELTS.
To get a waiver for your application, simply enter the code 'CUSpring18' on the program of study page on your application. I hope this helps someone. Cheers.

https://www.clarkson.edu/news/pilot-grant-program-clarkson-ignite-research-fellowship-competition-winners

[quote author=Time2Smile post=66385960]Congratulations. That's a very good school. Does your department not have guaranteed funding for PhD students? That will be weird for a school like Rensselaer Poly.

.

Hello guys.

I think preparing with like-mind(s) may be helpful. In that case, if you are in Ibadan and you are writing the GRE soon. Let's prepare together cos I think it is a good strategy. Pls reply this msg and I'll drop my contact details. Thanks. #Fall19

Hello guys,

My exam is exactly 1 month away.

Please any advice, suggestion that can help me perform better in the GRE is highly welcomed.

Warm regards.

Sherlock5577:
Thank you sir . I'll check out Missouri too.

What about West Virginia?

lolokike:
Hello guys,

My exam is exactly 1 month away.

Please any advice, suggestion that can help me perform better in the GRE is highly welcomed.

Warm regards.

Official ETS materials and a quality prep like manhattan or magoosh

I have stopped reading for the verbal section of this GRE. I always have headche anytime I read it. Please am I the only one that is experiencing this?

In another news, An Emeritus of Physics at SJSU california replied my mail and asked me to apply for 2018 fall admission . He asked if I am interested to be employed as a Lab instructor in that department and he'l provide full funding for me. Hmmmmmm.. . But I dont know how to reply him that I am not good in that aspect as lab instructor but just a research assistant. Please kindly advice me on this

That's a good one. Being a lab instructor should be a part of teaching assistantship duties. Your research will involve experimental work right ? Then you can do the work. Have no fears. In my opinion, a research assistant is not so different from a lab instructor.

STENON:
In another news, An Emeritus of Physics at SJSU california replied my mail and asked me to apply for 2018 fall admission . He asked if I am interested to be employed as a Lab instructor in that department and he'l provide full funding for me. Hmmmmmm.. . But I dont know how to reply him that I am not good in that aspect as lab instructor but just a research assistant. Please kindly advice me on this

Quoran:
That's a good one. Being a lab instructor should be a part of teaching assistantship duties. Your research will involve experimental work right ? Then you can do the work. Have no fears. In my opinion, a research assistant is not so different from a lab instructor.

You have actually conquered my fear by mentioning that teaching assistantship. Yes, it is experimental. Thanks alot for your response sir

ponpon:
What about West Virginia?

Yes, I had actually gotten a professor from WVU with research similar to my interests and listed it among my most preferred choices. Thank you sir. I have also skimmed through U of Missouri's webpage and noticed a professor with a similar research though not as closely relate as the others. I have noted it as a potential school.

Thanks again and I'm open to further suggestions in the nearest future !

Congrats Quoran. Not surprised. The way you went about things I knew you were a serious person. I like TAMU CS but they did not like me. Ba$tards rejected my MS app but in their defence it was for Spring.

I am waiting for great news from Yildiz, Epithet, MasterforceII, Rexcheeng and anyone else I am forgetting.

As per the guy you met on Quora, I think I know who he is. Over-sound Dey worry the guy.

Congratulations once again.