While the interview lasts for a mere 3 minutes, it is never a bad
idea to prepare well for all most likely to be asked questions.
These are the questions I prepared for myself. I’ve included sample answers too when appropriate.
That was long AF, wasn’t it? 
These are the questions I prepared for myself. I’ve included sample answers too when appropriate.
What brings you here/why are you going to USA/purpose of your trip?
I am going to USA to pursue Masters degree in Computer Science from North Carolina State University.
Why USA?
– Gives me exposure to my field of interest, computer vision and machine learning
– Research work in US universities is beneficial and would me sharpen my skills
– Along with theory, they also focus on practical aspects
– Cultural diversity
– US is hub of tech companies
– US degree has global acceptance
– US courses are flexible
– US degree has a great demand back here in India market
– Research work in US universities is beneficial and would me sharpen my skills
– Along with theory, they also focus on practical aspects
– Cultural diversity
– US is hub of tech companies
– US degree has global acceptance
– US courses are flexible
– US degree has a great demand back here in India market
Why NCSU?
It is one of the 3 points of research triangle park and the courses offered there research going on here matched my interests.
Especially, the CIIGAR lab. [Computational Intelligence and Games Research] where they make use of computer science disciplines such as computer vision, machine learning to create tools which can offer behavior insights.
IBM hub for quantum computing, Cisco network research lab. State of the art library James B Hunt. The courses in NCSU offer right balance between academic and industry.
60% students are international students so I will get to experience cultural diversity too.
Especially, the CIIGAR lab. [Computational Intelligence and Games Research] where they make use of computer science disciplines such as computer vision, machine learning to create tools which can offer behavior insights.
IBM hub for quantum computing, Cisco network research lab. State of the art library James B Hunt. The courses in NCSU offer right balance between academic and industry.
60% students are international students so I will get to experience cultural diversity too.
Name 3 Professors
David Roberts
Arnav Jhala
Prof Jin
Arnav Jhala
Prof Jin
Name 2 Personalities
James Goodnight SAS Institute
John Mayo Bell Labs
John Mayo Bell Labs
Name 2 other points of Research Triangle
Duke University, Durham
University of Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Carolina at Chapel Hill
Companies inside the triangle park
Cisco
IBM
Dell
Redhat
IBM
Dell
Redhat
How research triangle will help
I’ve seen plenty of seminar being organized at NC State by companies located in the triangle park.
Also, they will organize conference, hackathons time to time, which will help boost my technical expertise.
Also, they will organize conference, hackathons time to time, which will help boost my technical expertise.
About Raleigh
Its
capital of the North Carolina. East coast of the US. Has population of
half a million and has been consistently ranked as one of the best
cities to live in USA.
Temp varies from -2 to 25. Part of the Research Triangle Park. Nearest airport is Raleigh Durham airport.
Temp varies from -2 to 25. Part of the Research Triangle Park. Nearest airport is Raleigh Durham airport.
Admits/Rejects
Admits
University of Texas Dallas
Northeastern University
North Carolina State University
Rejects
Texas A&M University
University of Maryland, College Park
Stony Brook, New York
University of Texas Dallas
Northeastern University
North Carolina State University
Rejects
Texas A&M University
University of Maryland, College Park
Stony Brook, New York
Why rejects
MS admission in Computer Science in US is very competitive. For the rejections, I might not have been able to fulfill their requirements and there were other profiles which were stronger than me.
MS admission in Computer Science in US is very competitive. For the rejections, I might not have been able to fulfill their requirements and there were other profiles which were stronger than me.
Why not UTD
Research work going on there wasn’t much interesting and wasn’t much detailed. Only two courses were being offered that matched my interests.
Facilities, labs and libraries at NCSU were excellent.
Research work going on there wasn’t much interesting and wasn’t much detailed. Only two courses were being offered that matched my interests.
Facilities, labs and libraries at NCSU were excellent.
Why not NEU
NEU is primarily focused on industrial oriented teaching and less focused on research work. Also they offered few courses in the field of my interest so no.
Projects and research work going on at NCSU interested me the most.
NEU is primarily focused on industrial oriented teaching and less focused on research work. Also they offered few courses in the field of my interest so no.
Projects and research work going on at NCSU interested me the most.
What kind of research at NCSU
IBM started hub for quantum computing
Cisco has network research lab
Game companies provide game play data to analyze user behaviour
IBM started hub for quantum computing
Cisco has network research lab
Game companies provide game play data to analyze user behaviour
What courses
Machine Learning
Advanced Machine Learning
Automated Learning and Analysis
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Graphics
DSA
Machine Learning
Advanced Machine Learning
Automated Learning and Analysis
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Graphics
DSA
Credit hours
10 Credit Hours – 10 Hours Week
10 Credit Hours – 10 Hours Week
Backlogs
0
GRE
XYZ
TOEFL
ABC
Any relatives in USA
No
College %
GPA system and I scored X out of 10
What have you been doing after under graduation
I have been working as Software Engineer at a company, Pervacio Inc here Hyderabad since last 2 years.
What does your company do
Pervacio
develops products for mobile reverse logistics operations. So when you
exchange your old phone or return your old phone, it goes to mobile
warehouses and our products for diagnostic, data wipe, content check are
used in those warehouses.
Why Computer Science
In school time, I liked mathematics and had one computer at home on which I used to program. CS was a natural transition for me.
Why MS when you’ve job
While working on R&D projects in the field of image analysis in current job, I realized that I lack technical expertise. I needed dedicated time off to learn the latest skills require in the CS. My manager has encouraged me to go for MS.
Having MS degree will help me jump the corporate ladder quickly and also my current package.
While working on R&D projects in the field of image analysis in current job, I realized that I lack technical expertise. I needed dedicated time off to learn the latest skills require in the CS. My manager has encouraged me to go for MS.
Having MS degree will help me jump the corporate ladder quickly and also my current package.
What’s your current package and what’s your expectation
Current package XY.Z LPA, expected AB.C LPA
How will you finance/sponsors/manage funds?
I have taken an education loan, and in addition I have savings and my parents have savings and we have land.
I have taken an education loan, and in addition I have savings and my parents have savings and we have land.
What are your and parents savings
My savings are XY lacs and parents have AB lacs
What do your parents do
Mother is a government teacher and father pathology doctor
Where will you stay? Why?
On campus. Travel time will be less and get to socialize with people from different nations.
On campus job?
No, I will prefer to dedicate my time for studies.
CPT?
Yes I will utilize the CPT period during summer internship to gain practical exposure in my field.
OPT?
No
What after graduation
I
will come back to India and join the current firm as Lead Engineer in
R&D. I have a provisional offer from my current firm.
Why not US
I have my family, farms, properties here to look after. And I will already be having a job which I like to work.
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