Questions – Transcripts, Financial Aid and GRE Scores

I have 23 emails unread about University Selection, profile evaluation, Statement of Purpose and Recommendation letter review. Vani just happened to lucky. Her email arrived when I was responding and questions were interesting and few students asked me the same questions about transcripts, financial aid and GRE scores.

Vani Asks

Q1: What does the score sound like? good enough for MS, MS/PhD in “Molecular + cell biology/Biochemistry”?

I have did my GRE  and managed V690 and Q770.
Q2: The transcripts part of the Universities  websites are confusing, will they accept attested (by HOD) copies till such time as I get the “originals” from the Univ (VTU, Karnataka) ?
Q3: What chances of Financial  Assistance ?  Family cannot afford to waste money on vein apps.

Question 1

What does the score sound like? good enough for MS, MS/PhD in “Mol+cell biology/Biochem”?

GRE Score Verbal 680 and Quantitative 770 is very good score to get admission for both Masters and PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacy, Crop Science, Clinical – Molecular Biology, …

Question 2

The transcripts part of the Universities  websites are confusing, will they accept attested (by HOD) copies till such time as I get the “originals” from the Univ (VTU, Karnataka) ?

Nope they will not accept that. Transcripts should be issued directly by the university. Make copies for original transcript, take it to Universities Registrar office, pay the fees, then give your details with an envelop.

They will verify the copies you have submitted, registrar will sign each page with seal. Each set is then sealed with the envelop and pasted with seal and signature at opening. So, if someone breaks the cover, it will be visible. Universities will not attested copies from HOD.

Its better to send transcripts upto 6 semesters. Some schools require atleast 6 semester of transcript to be considered for admission. So, you have to wait till you get the original marksheets from the university and then get transcripts. To save time, find out how many schools, you are planning to apply. Some schools require 2 transcripts. Get 4-5 more that required. It’s better to carry those transcripts when you come to U.S.

Question 3

What chances of Financial  Assistance ?  Family cannot afford to waste money on vein apps.

I do certainly agree that its expensive to even send applications. Cost per application would include following expenses

• GRE Score Forwarding
• TOEFL Score Forwarding
• College Application processing Fee
• Cost per transcript
• Courier/Express Mail fees

I’m not sure how many universities you are planning to apply. But, students from India apply to maximum of 8 schools. Think about students from China, they apply  to 15 to 20 schools. They spend during application and go to school that offers them scholarship. Whereas students form India, apply to 8 schools and decide to attend best school from that. After they reach college campus in U.S. financial Aid, Ra/TA search begins. Some students don’t get any form of aid for M.S., but get some form of part time job that will pay for living expenses.

To manage the fees, they work during summer months as interns. Save that money and pay the fees for next semester.

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