Snapshots
Name : Nirupa Rao
Graduation College : Thadomal Shahani Engineering College (TSEC), Mumbai University
Graduation Stream : B.E. in Biotechnology
Graduation Aggregate : 65%
GRE Score : 1380 (Quant: 780; Verbal: 600)
TOEFL Score: 117
University for Masters: Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Course Details : Biotechnology and Management
Term: Fall 2011
Applications & Admits
Universities & Courses applied to :
Applied for Biotechnology program in the following universities:
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County - Master of Professional Studies, Biotechnology
- Carnegie Melon University (CMU) - Biotechnology and Management
- Texas A & M (TAMU), College Station - Master of Biotechnology (PSM)
- Keck Institute of Life Sciences - Master of Bioscience (MBS) Program
- Case Western University - MS in Biology (Entrepreneurial Track)
- Northeastern University - MS in Biotechnology (PSM)
Admits from (Universities & Courses) :
- Carnegie Melon University (CMU) - Biotechnology and Management
- Texas A & M (TAMU), College Station - Master of Biotechnology (PSM)
- Keck Institute of Life Sciences - Master of Bioscience (MBS) Program
- Case Western University - MS in Biology (Entrepreneurial Track)
- Northeastern University - MS in Biotechnology (PSM)
Minutia
Final Year Project:
Extraction, Characterization and in vivo Analysis of the effect of Carica papaya leaves on Blood Platelet Count
Technical Papers : None
Letter of Recommendations :
Project guide and two professors, both of whom had taught me the maximum number of classes over the years. I didn't face any problem as such, they were really nice and even let me embellish the LORs a little.
Extracurriculars:
I was heavily involved in cultural festivals in my college, all the four years.
Work Experience/Internship:
I did a summer internship at Reliance Life Science between my third and final year.
Financial Aid : $24000
Preparation
Initially I did words very irregularly in the fifth semester. I barely bothered with quant. The only thing that I did was attend classes regularly, so I got maybe 6 hours of GRE work per week. I started studying properly only from January. And by mid-Feb, I started giving full length tests, even though I was not fully prepared. I took the GRE in April of my sixth semester. I would say that the ideal time to give GRE is in the sixth semester, the next best being seventh semester.
SOP Advice: I wrote the SOP on my own. I basically answered four questions: why the field of interest, why the university, why the course and why me.
Counselling opinion:
I didn't go to a counsellor. And I honestly don't think they are required, if you are sure of what you want to do.
Reasons to choose Current University
I chose to go to CMU, because
1. I wanted to do a management oriented course, rather than a research based one, and CMU was the most suited in that aspect. Zero lab work and plenty of classes at the B-school.
2. THE TAG!
Advice to Juniors
SOP is the most important essay you will ever write. It can make or break your case. Just be honest and write it yourself. If you are not confident about your language, get someone to edit for you, but the basic ideas should be yours. You need to sell yourself in those two pages.