Frustrated with Poor CGPA

[Horizon]

Dear Members

Good day! I am very new to this forum and this is my first post.

I am a prospective graduate student from Bangladesh, pursuing for my graduate study in the field of Telecommunication / Wireless Communication Technology. I have completed my undergraduate course in the year 2005. I have more than 5 years of industrial experience in the field of telecommunication, have served in two of the world's leading telecom vendors. Right now would like to go for a Graduate study.

My undergraduate GPA is a bit low. The GPA of my last two years of undergraduate study is 3.05 (4.0 scale) where as my complete course CGPA is 2.8 (4.0 scale). This is where I just get frustrated while applying for Graduate study though I have an IELTS Score of 7.5 (Reading 7.5, Listening 7.5, Writing 7.0, and Speaking 7.0). I will need teaching or research assistance ship to complete my course and I have contacted more than 10 professors in Canada along with my professional CV if i could make them convinced that I would be a contributing team member in their research area.

Only i got rejection from them or they didn't even bother to reply my mails. Could you please tell me if it is really impossible to get a chance??? I am really frustrated as I have a keen mindset for further study in the field of Telecommunication / Wireless Communication.

Sorry, if any one get bored reading my topic.

Thank you

[Eigen]

You say you sent your CV to professors.... but have you tried actually applying to grad school?

You will need to take the GRE, but you should try actually going through the application process. At most institutions, a professor would have to go far out of his way (ie, you are an ideal/excellent candidate) to get you accepted without you applying through the normal process.

[Eigen]

Also, you mention experience in industry... was it research related? If not, you might need to shore up your application with some more R&D related experience.

Edited August 17, 2010 by Eigen

[Horizon]

Also, you mention experience in industry... was it research related? If not, you might need to shore up your application with some more R&D related experience.

I agree with your point. but most of the universities want the applicants to communicate with the Professors before applying, if they would like to accept my application. I will sit for GRE in January 2011, may be things will change if i get a good GRE result.

[Eigen]

::shrugs:: That's just not the case in any university I'm familiar with.

If you can contact a faculty member and get them on your side first, it makes the application process easier.... But most faculty members, in my experience, are only mildly interested in talking to someone that hasn't even started the application process. Because they know that unless you're one of their top (or rather, their top picks) for the year, AND they have the funding to support you without the department's help, you'll have to pass muster with both the entrance committee and the dean to get in, anyway.

[rachaelski]

Have you checked Ohio University's TCOM program? There is s a strong international student presence at the University, and especially in the TCOM program.

[Horizon]

Have you checked Ohio University's TCOM program? There is s a strong international student presence at the University, and especially in the TCOM program.

Mostly I have tried in the Canadian Universities. All of the universities in Canada need more the 3.0 CGPA to get entrance.

I have communicated in one of the Universities in North Dakota; this is the only university i have found that accepts 2.75 CGPA in graduate level.

It seems that I have two problems. 1) I have a poor GPA in Undergraduate Level 2) I will need a Teaching / research Assistance. If i could fund my expences then it would be lot more easier.

Guyz, need your help badly.

[Eigen]

You really need to take the GRE.

With a low GPA, it's often possible to convince people you're a decent student with a very high GRE score. In your case, I'd think 1400+, and being that it's engineering 780+ (really, 800) quantitative.

Also, have you taken the ToEFL? I know you took the IELTS, do all the schools you're interested in accept it? I know some schools only accept the TOEFL.

Edited August 19, 2010 by Eigen

[Horizon]

You really need to take the GRE.

With a low GPA, it's often possible to convince people you're a decent student with a very high GRE score. In your case, I'd think 1400+, and being that it's engineering 780+ (really, 800) quantitative.

Also, have you taken the ToEFL? I know you took the IELTS, do all the schools you're interested in accept it? I know some schools only accept the TOEFL.

So, I will take my GRE test on January 2011; After that I will give another hard try for my quest. Thank you guyz for your cordial help.

[Eigen]

Good luck!

A few things to remember:

If you take the GRE in January, the next application season for most science and engineering programs will be in Fall '11. It's not common for them to admit students mid-year.

Also, if you head over to the PhDcomics forum, there have been several threads on mistakes students often make when contacting professors, mostly pet peeves from professors that cause them to ignore the e-mail:

1) Make sure you get the professors gender right.

2) A common form of address would be either Dr. So-and-So or Professor So-and-So.... Dr. So-and-So is more formal.

3) Be familiar enough with their research and recent publications that you can cite specifically what interested you about their work, as well as possible examples of further developments you would be interested in working on with them.

4) Be relatively concise. Most faculty are quite busy, and are more likely to respond to a short, well written letter than a longer one.

5) A CV does not need to be attached to the first e-mail, a "CV available on request" note in the e-mail suffices, and makes the initial contact take less of the prof's time.

I hope the next application season goes well for you, and be sure to post if you have any other questions.

[Horizon]

Good luck!

A few things to remember:

If you take the GRE in January, the next application season for most science and engineering programs will be in Fall '11. It's not common for them to admit students mid-year.

Also, if you head over to the PhDcomics forum, there have been several threads on mistakes students often make when contacting professors, mostly pet peeves from professors that cause them to ignore the e-mail:

1) Make sure you get the professors gender right.

2) A common form of address would be either Dr. So-and-So or Professor So-and-So.... Dr. So-and-So is more formal.

3) Be familiar enough with their research and recent publications that you can cite specifically what interested you about their work, as well as possible examples of further developments you would be interested in working on with them.

4) Be relatively concise. Most faculty are quite busy, and are more likely to respond to a short, well written letter than a longer one.

5) A CV does not need to be attached to the first e-mail, a "CV available on request" note in the e-mail suffices, and makes the initial contact take less of the prof's time.

I hope the next application season goes well for you, and be sure to post if you have any other questions.

Thank you Eigen for your advice. Lets see if I can achieve it. I will be in touch with you guyz.

Thank you so much.