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Nov 06, 2008

Recommendations, Applications, and Fellowships, Oh My!

Congratulations! It’s November 5th, and if you’re anything like me last year you just submitted your NSF application about 15 hours ago. Take a breath, do something fun, you deserve it!

What? You didn’t apply?! Why not? A lesson I learned the hard way: If you don’t apply, you’re guaranteed not to get it. A lot of people have something called Imposter Syndrome, and end up thinking they’re not good enough to win national fellowships or to get into top schools. Well, it’s worth repeating: If you don’t apply, you definitely won’t! Writing fellowship applications can seem like a lot of work when you’re already applying to a bunch of schools, but having a fellowship in grad school gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing an advisor and research topic. It’s also a great recognition for all your hard work!

It’s too late for the NSF and the Hertz (at least for this year… never to early to get a head start on an application for 2009, though) but the NDSEG isn’t due until January. A lot of companies also offer fellowships based on the field you’re in, sometimes with the added bonus (restriction?) of a summer internship. Writing fellowship applications is also a great way to “practice” for your actual grad school applications — those are the ones that really matter, since you can’t use a fellowship unless you get in :) Do your homework; tons of people have written up their experiences applying and have lots of tips and advice.

Just think — this time next year you’ll be slaving away (er, having fun) in the research lab of your choosing. The application process is something that you should get comfortable with as soon as possible — though you might think there’s no more school after grad school, you’ll have lots of opportunities to apply for things as you continue your education.

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6 Responses To This Entry:

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    please ask me while you read my message
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    Posted by: m sayari on November 15th, 2008 at 9:21 am

    I so second your point about the flexibility with Professors and topic of your interests. Not only does a fellowship provide that but also encourages you to be more experimental and try things which you like but are not directly otherwise relevant to your prior area of interest.

    Posted by: Rakesh on November 15th, 2008 at 11:39 pm

    hi,
    I am graduate in Engineering.But i have no idea about MS programs in MIT ,If you can send me those details i will be so thankfull to you.I did my Engineering in India .Kindly send me the details ,Apart from IELTS ,TOFEL exams what are the required exams.

    Arun

    Posted by: Arun on November 18th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    hi,
    i am an undergraduate student from India doing my Btech in Mechanical engineering.Next year I will be giving my GRE as i really want to study in the US and that too in the top notch schools.The problem is however that my gpa is on the lower side(3.1/4).Can I still make it to MIT or stanford??
    please tell me I can cause I am really aim for the top spot.

    Posted by: Harshad Lalit on November 20th, 2008 at 4:42 am

    I have passed a degree of Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering in 2008 and I want to pursue MS in Computer Science/Machine Learning or related areas from MIT. I also have offers of various multinationals for the post of a Software Engineer, namely Perot Systems, Wipro Technologies, Satyam Computers and Cranes Software International Limited. But, since the joining dates have not come up due to the ongoing Economic Slowdown, I joined teaching in a reputed Engineering College for the past 10 months. To support my application, I’ve done an Advanced Diploma in Real-Time Operating Systems from Cranes Software International Limited, a leading company in the domain of Scientific and Computing Analytics. For the past 3 years, I’ve developed interest in System Programming, during my college days and now, I’m studying Language and Compiler design.
    I’ve also done various projects in System Programming, anemly a Portable Preprocessor, Sysnthesis of Unix File Structure, and, A Bipedal Walking Robot. Can you please guide me on what extra preparration do I need to do, in order to get through the competition for entrance into MIT?

    Posted by: PRABHJOT BHARAJ on July 8th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    hi madam,well i am a under graduate in reputed college in India
    i want to do my masters in MIT or any other reputed US colleges….can u provide me information about courses,scholarships,fellowships,budget,etc…..please help me
    thank you

    Posted by: apoo on July 23rd, 2009 at 6:12 am

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