[The inscrutable GRE reading comprehension]

I would advise you to approach the verbal sections strategically. Skip the long passages (of which there should be one or two) on your first run through each section and answer the sentence and short passage questions first. For the single-paragraph passages, it is often a good idea to read the question before the passage because that way you can find the information you need more quickly. When you're done with those questions, go back to the longer passages.

 

When working on a long passage, try not to reread it. Read it once, then try to answer the question at hand. Isolate answers that are obviously wrong as soon as you know they're wrong. If you're choosing between two or three answers and have no idea what to pick, go back to the relevant sentence. If there is no single sentence that addresses your question, or the answer is contingent on information provided elsewhere in the text, reread the entire paragraph. Reread the whole passage only if, after doing all of the above, you still have absolutely no idea what the text is telling you.

 

I admit I don't know how useful my tips are because I've never really thought about my critical reading strategies too deeply. However, I've never been pressed for time on the verbal section of a standardized test either, and I think part of the reason is that I follow most of the advice I've given you.

 

(BTW, I'm not a native English speaker either.)

 

Thank you! Your advice is very useful. I will definitely try this approach!

 

Congratulations on your score!

[The inscrutable GRE reading comprehension]

 Try the Economist or a similar publication; just get used to the length and density of these pieces. Also, they will almost always ask you about the main idea of the passage, so automatically figure this out while you're reading ("actively" read).

 

...it might be a good idea to use the test's feature that allows you to skip questions. Since each question is worth the same number of points, you might as well get all the easy points first. That is, do all the SE and TC questions first since they're easier for you. Good luck! 

 

Thank you! I am going to be solving the TC SE first; RC seems to be a tough nut to crack.

[The inscrutable GRE reading comprehension]

Hello,

 

I have my exam in a month. I get around 154 on ETS practice tests in the verbal section. Mostly, the bad score is due to inability to decipher the reading comprehension; I score well in the TC and SE parts.

 

In particular, I will almost always get the multiple answer questions wrong (the ones with square bracket choices).

 

Also, I seem to run out of time because of having to read this passages multiple times due to lack of comprehension. I am not a native English speaker, which doesn't help. However, I have always been decent in my performance in English. But somehow, for some reason, these passages seem invincible to me.

 

Did any of you feel the same way about the GRE passages? And can those of you with high verbal scores, give me some tips on managing time and strategies to improve my reading comprehension?

[Will grumpy professors write 20 LORs for you?]

Thank you. It seems that I need to cut down on the LORs I demand of each professor. 

[Sending in writing samples/publications that are published in 'inferior' journals]

Hello,

 

I will be applying to Fall, 2015 in Computer Science, PhD.

 

I have two Masters (MBA, MS). MS is relevant to computer science while MBA is not.

 

During my MS, the course was very industry oriented and kept me really busy in classes and stuff and barely gave any time for original research.

 

I do have 1 research paper published in an international journal, but to be fair, anyone who gives a certain sum of money will be able to publish in that journal. My paper, however, is original. I do not think it is an elite 'IEEE' or 'Elsevier' level paper, but it is the best I could do in those circumstances and resources.

 

My question is whether the admissions committee will be nonchalant about my publication if it is in an 'ordinary' journal? 

 

Also, I have some articles published in international magazines directly relevant to my field of study. Again, these are just industry magazines, not really 'research oriented' journals. Do you think it is OK to mention these in my application?

 

Do I stand a chance of admission in PhD programs with just 1 published paper (in an inferior journal) and some articles?

 

Thanks.

[So I got a perfect GRE score ...]

I think it depends on your learning style. I prefer book over video lessons, so Manhattan worked better for me. The Magoosh lessons are good and, from what I can tell, fairly comprehensive, so you can't go wrong studying that way IMO. 

 

Thank you. Also, if you could take some time to post some tips or guide for scoring high on the GRE from your personal experience, that would be great.

 

There seems to be a consensus, as I have read on Magoosh, regarding the difficulty level of quantitative section having gone up considerably. Did you feel that during the test? 

[Will grumpy professors write 20 LORs for you?]

Hi,

 

I am applying for PhD in top programs (Computer science). It seems like I should apply to at least 15 to get in. I can't afford to not get in this fall.

 

Planning to apply to 15-20 universities.

 

 

I know 2 grumpy professors from my grad school. They are your typical super-busy professor kind. They will write 5-6 LORs for me, but I doubt if they will write 20 LORs if it requires them to write paragraphs praising me.

 

I have heard that universities send them a link that they can follow to 'select an option' or 'tick mark' choices. That is fine. But do these links involve writing paragraphs describing me??

 

Please let me know since I feel that will greatly impact these professors giving me so many LORs.

 

Thanks.

[So I got a perfect GRE score ...]

I'm considering posting a study guide. I used the Manhattan lessons and Magoosh for practice problems, if that helps.

 

Wow, I am using Magoosh lessons and Manhattan's 5 lb book for practice; just the reverse. Do you think that works just as good? 

[Applying for PhD in Security, worked with the top hacker in the world for 6 months now, have a question about LOR]

Hello,

 

I am applying for PhD in information assurance. For the last 6 months or so, I have worked as an independent contractor with one of the world's top hackers (you all know him/her). He/she had "some trouble with the law" but he/she is now a reformed security professional (sorry, I can't get into specifics).

 

I am in a position where I have a direct correspondence with him/her and his/her "manager". The "manager" is willing to write me a letter of recommendation on his/her behalf while applying to schools.

 

Two of my LORs come from professors that taught me during my Masters. Do you think I should list the manager as my third reference? Will it hurt my chances if a professor frowns upon my engagement with "unlawful" professionals?

 

It is important to mention here that his/her past was long time ago and my association with him/her took place in 2014 and it was all white hat security work. Nothing, I repeat nothing, unlawful.

 

(I must apologize but I really must keep identities confidential due to sensitive nature of the security business).

 

Please let me know what you guys think.

 

Thanks

[Programs Asking Where Else I am Applying]

Hey everyone!!

Need your help!!!

I am applying for Fall 2015 Phd in Computer Science(focus in information assurance) to USA universities. After doing extensive research I managed to find some universities (ASU, Indiana University, George Mason, University of Texas- San Antonio). But as I hear for phd i need to apply to more than 10 universities to expect a call. Can anyone please help me if someone doing research in Information assurance/security in USA. 

[What helped your applications the most?]

Hey everyone!!

Need your help!!!

I am applying for Fall 2015 Phd in Computer Science(focus in information assurance) to USA universities. After doing extensive research I managed to find some universities (ASU, Indiana University, George Mason, University of Texas- San Antonio). But as I hear for phd i need to apply to more than 10 universities to expect a call. Can anyone please help me if someone doing research in Information assurance/security in USA. 

[Undergrad Percentage (from India) to US 4.0 GPA conversion - Ridiculous!]

Of course, it doesn't work that way. Have you tried Googling this?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=converting+Indian+CGPA+to+American+GPA

 

A short answer is: Do not attempt a direct conversion, because selection committees are well aware of the differences and will do it themselves.

 

Yes, I Googled it. That's where I came up with these erroneous assumptions about the conversion process. 

 

I guess I was wrong on many levels. Thanks to you guys, I know the err in my comprehension of the GPA conversion process. I think it's best if I just leave it for the universities to convert and not sweat over it. 

[Undergrad Percentage (from India) to US 4.0 GPA conversion - Ridiculous!]

Hello,

 

I am applying for Fall, 2015 in PhD programs (Computer science). 

 

The admissions page of many universities I saw, demand an undergrad GPA of at least 3.0 and graduate GPA of at least 3.5

 

Now, I excelled in the two masters degrees I have (MBA, MS).

 

But I was an average student in undergrad. Average in India means that I scored around 68% in my undergrad years (I.T.)

 

If you ask me, I think this conversion thing is crazy. Many colleges in India grade/score very stringently, since the min. percentage required to graduate is 50%. So, if I were an average student at an elite college in India, my CGPA/ Percentage would be 7.0 or 70%. Using this conversion table, my GPA on a 4 point scale would be 2.3.        

 

In the US, however, you need a min. GPA of 2.75 to graduate. A GPA below 3 is considered to be a shocker, while a GPA between 3 and 3.5 would be considered below average. It'll never work; it's like comparing Apples with Oranges.

 

Am I missing something here? Any thoughts?