The EXCEL Sheet!

Prepare a Excel sheet with these headings in bold and start off going through the universities and simultaneously start updating this sheet. It will definitely help you a lot. When in need, you can check through this sheet rather than the University website. :P K Here goes the list:

1. Serial No
2. University
3. Univ Code + Dept code
   
4. Deadline
5. Postal Address
6. Important contact info with email id
7. No of applications and to where
8. Application Fee
9. Transcripts (O/Hc)
10. No of Transcripts
    
11. Statement Of Purpose (O/Hc)
12. Resume (O/Hc)
13. Letter Of Recommendation (O/Hc)
14. No of LOR's
15. Gre Scores (O/Hc)
16. Toefl Scores (O/Hc)
17. Additional Information

No = Number
O = Online
Hc = Hard copy
Trust me this is damn helpful!

LOR's!

Most of the universities request minimum of 3 LORs. Ask your recommender a month in advance and help him/her with the LOR. You have two options for Letter Of Recommendations:

1. Online Recommendations: You have to provide your recommenders email id and he/she will be sent a link, the recommender will be given some time to respond say 2 days, a week etc. The recommender will have to fill in details about him/herself, details about his/her relationship with applicant, grade the applicant, write few lines on the applicant, submit it.
   
2. Hard Copy Recommendations: You have to download the LOR form given by the university and get it filled by your recommender and post it to the university along with the other hard copies i.e. your application packet. Envelopes need to be signed and sealed at both the joints. Better not tamper with them.

An LOR Format for reference for the recommender:

Introduction

• Introduce yourself as the recommender. State your professional position, how you know the applicant, the length of your relationship, and any other pertinent information to build your credibility as a knowledgeable contributor.
• Provide an overview of your general impressions of the applicant.

Body

• Cover one exceptional quality of the applicant in each paragraph
• Use specific examples to show how you observed each quality
• Address qualities in order of importance
• Keep the body of the letter to two or three paragraphs

Conclusion

• Confirm that the applicant would be a desirable employee/student, adding any other comments you feel appropriate.
• Encourage the reader to contact you for additional information or with any questions.
• Don't forget to personally sign the letter.

Sincerely

SIGNATURE
your name

Statement Of Purpose- SOP!

"A good SOP could get you a very good university in-spite of low acads/scores!"

What to write in a SOP:

1. Be clear about what u want to do in your masters and elaborate the same on paper. Justify your stance clearly by giving specific examples either through academics/projects etc. You might have done innumerable projects
   
2. Mention about the University,faculty,infrastructure,research which u r interested in!
   
3. Avoid quotes and flowery complex language ...
   
4. Download Word Web. Here's the link where you can download Word Web ( if u want a good word for a particular simple word enter in word web and u get synonyms and choose one among them suitable to your sentence.Use apt words which suit the context and makes sense.)
5. Communication skills are very important. This is the edulix link which gives good tips !
6. Mention valid reasons why you are choosing USA and not your own country{in spite of having the best institutions} for your higher studies, like

• World Class Education
• Excellent research facilities
• Easy to survive
• International exposure
• Immense Opportunities for the deserving

% <--> Grade <--> GPA

Many a times while filling the application you might encounter with the word GPA(Grade Point Average). That is actually not for us. Personally I didn't fill anything for GPA, but you could do this calculation. I just came across this and these mite help you. Ask some senior/lecturer and find out which one's better of the two??

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade ----------	GPA ------------	% ---------
A+	4.33	90-100
A	4.00	85-89
A-	3.67	80-84
B+	3.33	76-79
B	3.00	72-75
B-	3.67	68-71
C+	2.33	64-67
C	2.00	60-63
C-	1.67	55-59
D	1.00	50-54
DFT	0.00	49

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Percentage ---------------	US Grade ------------	Equivalent GPA (approximate) ------------------------------------
60-100	A	4.00
55-59	B+	3.33
50-54	B	3.00
43-49	C+	2.33
35-42	C	2.00
0-34	F	0.00

The 4 Letter Word - ****

- 8th July '09

After you came into my life, i can say there has been more negative thoughts than positive ones in my life and amongst us too! To begin with the very concept of "why not him in my life??" than "Do i like him??" was a puzzle to me. It still remains one too.

An year ago i would called it an crappy thing that could happen to a person. Now also please don't think i have fallen for some trap and saying all this. I still loath the give-take-greetings, senselessly-spend-on-gifts, impress-him/her-strategies!! Still **** means the very same to me; a daughter rushing to hug her mother after a long day at school, an old couple reading out stories to each other at bed time, a newly married pair holding hands n walking!

Its very hard to not to think of you and miss you in places where i was bound to miss you. **** for me, was when u called up late nights to just say I **** YOU, when you asked if i needed something from the mall you were about to visit and when you told my mom "i want her as my life partner!" . Everytime you called me "chinnu", trust me i would go mad! It was a very warm feeling. When you would call up and disturb me at 3 or 4 in the night, and ask a question like "what are you doing now?" or " Using three 9's and any mathematical operation can you get the answer 10??" just used to bring the blue-belt teak-wan-do kid out in me! Aaargh..!!

Frankly, i don't think you are attractive {please note that, seein you in front of me != seein in webcam :)}; but when you keep your hands folded on the table and place your head in between and look at me and when you look at me giving a small tilt, trust me you are smarter than anyone :) All i can see is just innocence in you!

Urs ABC!
P.S- I may be wrong, but will you be with me to tell what's right??

Quant Section in Gre!

Me being from a CBSE back ground, didn't have much to work on quant. I joined GREedge training and that was enough for me. They gave enough training and practice tests. That was sufficient for me. Barrons, Kaplan and Big Book are more than enough for a 750+.

These links might help you:

1. http://www.west.net/~stewart/gre/grtestq.htm
2. http://www.studyplaces.com/testcenter/sample-test/GRE

Note: If you need any pdf's or e-books, quant material do drop in ur mail id. Will try my best to help you! All The Best!

A senior's advice!! Helped me lots!

Hi Shru,

Do the following..

1) Apply for transcripts. This includes all ur 8 sem marklists, degree certificate. For this you have to take xerox in A3 sheet (strictly). The no.of copies depends on how many univs u r going to apply.. So xerox them accordingly.. In case if your university provides you ppl with a consolidated marksheet, while taking xerox ask that guy to reduce it to A3 size and then take xerox.

P.S: While taking xerox make sure you have enough room for applying seal (university seal) and signature of the person attesting it..

2) Take sufficient copies of ur 10th, PUC and univ marklists.

3) Once ur GRE, TOEFL score reports comes xerox them as well..

4) Mos of the univs ask a copy of your passport as part of document. But ne way after seeing at the univ's docs requirement, include it in the list of docs only if it is asked.

5) Experience letter need not be included in the list of docs but it sure adds weightage to ur profile.. In case if you are getting a reco from someone where you have been working then you need not attach this.. Make sure the person who gives you Reco knows you very well because university might contact them and verify.. Reco must not exceed one page..

6) Start your SOP whenever you find time.. After multiple correction fine tune it in such a way it is not more than a page.. If you want i can provide mine as an example..

7) Prepare your resume. This is as important as ur SOP.. Make sure whatever you put in ur resume is true and you you have proof for it..

8) Many univs expect a bank certificate stating your financial position while applying itself.. Make sure it is enough to cover your full expense (living, tuition, etc,.)

9) Affidavit is also very important.. Incase if you are being funded by your father and mother you need one from ur mom and one from ur dad.. while sending the docs, staple affidavit and bank statement together.. Make sure ur affidavit is like ur father declaring that hez taking care of ur educational expenses and that he has so much in his accounts and he has attached the proof (bank statement) along with the affidavit..

10) Passport size photos you may require a lot.. In addition to that take 4 for visa.. that has got a separate dimension.. it wil be slightly bigger than ur normal passport size photo..

11) While sending docs, send through DHL.. reliable safe and you can track ur shipment as well.. they have a separate students pack for sending couriers to univs.. plus they have bulk coupons.. opt for that it'll be cheaper..

One thing i would suggest is till you give ur GRE TOEFL exams dont think abt these..

Once you finish, start doing this.. try to complete as many as the above mentioned points before ur results..

Giving GRE TOEFL is just 5% of the process.. the rest 95 is reeal pain..

Dont worry i'm there to help you..

Ne doubt ne time you can ask me..

All the very best..

My tip for Toefl speaking and writing!

Might be of some use to you:

1. Address to the people involved in the script/video by their names.
2. Be slow and calm and composed.
3. Don't refer Barrons for toefl. Try to read/work out from Kaplan. Barron gives you the feeling "Toefl is too damn easy!", which isn't good!
   
4. Coming to my tip: After the reading and the listening sections, a time break of 10 mins is given. Make use of this time, to jot down anything that you feel will be useful for the next two sections - Speaking and Writing, in the sheet of paper given. What to jot down will vary from person to person, What i would write, to keep things ready may be: Words or Phrases. You can read plenty of essays and come up with more phrases and strong words which help your essay sound more intense.
   

Like:
+ve=Confident, re-assure, anticipate, amiable,
-ve=refute, oppose
others- justifies,influence,spontaneous,redundant,contrary,consequence

All The Best!

TOEFL's worst section! Speaking!

“How Can I Prepare for the Speaking Section of the TOEFL iBT?”

The independent and integrated speaking competencies required for the TOEFL iBT are formidable challenges, but the following suggestions, if implemented through a regular course of study over an extended period of time, will help you to achieve the speaking confidence needed for a strong score.

To perform well on the independent speaking tasks, you should consider the following:

1. Create a list of familiar topics and practice speaking about them: “Describe your favorite vacation destination,” and “Describe an important person who has influenced you” are representative of familiar Independent Speaking topics for the iBT

2. You could also practice by stating an opinion or a preference and then by presenting reasons clearly and in detail. “Which do you think is better: living on campus in dorms or off campus in apartments?” is representative of an opinion-preference Independent Speaking topic for the iBT.

3. Making a recommendation and explaining why it is the best way to proceed is another type of speaking task that you should practice. “What is the best method of travel when going on a vacation? Explain why?” represents this type of Independent Speaking topic for the iBT.

4. Practice giving 1 minute responses to these types of speaking tasks.

Lastly, to perform well on the integrated speaking tasks, you should consider the following:

1. Find a college textbook that includes discussion questions at the end of the chapter. Read the chapter, take notes, and practice orally answering the discussion questions.

2. Read short 100-200 word articles. You can find such articles on the Internet, in the library, or in your TOEFL textbook. After reading the article, make a brief outline which includes its major points Then use the outline to orally summarize the information, after which you can add detail to the outline and orally summarize again.

3. Using the Internet, the library, or your TOEFL textbook + CD Rom, find listening and reading materials on similar topics. The material can provide similar or opposing points of view. After taking notes on the listening and the reading materials, you should do the following:

Orally summarize the information. Make sure that you paraphrase the information using different words and grammatical structures.

Orally synthesize by combining information form the listening and reading materials and by explaining how they relate.

4. Increase your knowledge of vocabulary and idiomatic language. Learn to use them in your speech.

5. Learn grammatical structures, particularly basic and complex sentences, so well that you are comfortable using them in your speech.

6. Learn to solve pronunciation problems, paying particular attention to word stress, intonation patterns, and pauses.

7. When practicing for the TOEFL iBT, take about 15 seconds to prepare a response before beginning to speak.Write down some key words and phrases, but do not write down exactly what you want to say.If you read your response, raters will give you a lower score.

8. Use signal words and phrases to create a coherent flow of information: to introduce new information, to connect ideas, and to emphasize important points.

9. Make regular recordings of your iBT speaking tasks and make sure your pronunciation and fluency are clear and easy to understand. If possible, have ESL/EFL instructors evaluate your speech using the appropriate TOEFL iBT Speaking rubrics.

Practice, practice, and practice doing these suggestions, and you will conquer the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT.

Michael Buckhoff is an ESL and English Professor at California State University, San Bernardino California and has been teaching TOEFL preparation courses since 1994.
Mbuckhoff
I'm new here and I like it ;-)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some of the speaking topics for question no. 1 are: {Its definitely gonna be one among these}

1. Describe your best friend.
2. Favorite holiday spot/ Hobby/Subject/teacher in school/animal (pet)/Icon/author/book/sport/Movie/Food/color.
3. Given one-month time to do whatever you like to do, what would you like to do?
4. Most cherished moment at school
5. Which country/city would you like to visit?
6. Toughest challenge faced by you
7. If you could know your future, what would you like to know?
8. What would you send to an international exhibition? Your object should represent your country.
9. Your strangest dream.
10. What do you miss when you are away from your home?
11. What would you like to do between study time, to take a break or to relax?
12. Some students prefer university in the home region while others prefer studying abroad. What would you prefer?
13. Some only go to the movies if they know about the film, whereas others like to go to get surprised and watch movies they know nothing about. What do you prefer and why?
14. What are important considerations in choosing a job/career according to you?
15. Some prefer traveling independently whereas others prefer traveling in a pre-arranged package tour. Which do you prefer and why?
16. Which mode of transport do you prefer traveling by and why?

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P.S-
read sample essays here !
sample-toefl-speakin-practice !
sample-toefl-writing-practice !
1 Practice toefl test !
Many practice tests !

Check list!- A Simple one!

A University requires:

1. GRE scores (valid for 5 years)
2. TOEFL scores (valid for 2 years)
3. Passport
   
4. Transcripts (A completed Bachelor degree from any university.)
5. A Statement of Purpose (in short SOP)
6. Resume/CV
7. Letter of Recommendation (in short LOR)
8. Financial certificates

A month wise plan can be found here: Road-Map-to-US ! you need to join Edulix forums for that! You will almost get everything you want! Trust me they are the best!

India-Link-GRE-Link-Toefl-Link-Universities-Link-Documentation-link-USA

Here are few links, which helped me and my friends through out this Master's journey! A lil' detailed information on each topic, you can refer to other posts! Hope they all help u!

Gre:
http://www.tcyonline.com/india/Home
http://learnwordlist.com/
http://www.greword.com/?cat=1
http://bighugelabs.com/magazine.php

http://princetonreview.com/grad/testprep/testprep.asp?TPRPAGE=80&TYPE=GRE-PRACTICE-TEST
http://www.Number2.com
http://greguide.com
http://www.syvum.com/gre/
www.takegre.com
www.mygretutor.com
www.grebible.com
www.kaptest.com
http://pllab.kaist.ac.kr/~gladius/gre/
http://www.intelligentedu.com/newly_researched_free_training/GRE.html
http://www.gre.org/pracmats.html
http://www.petersons.com/testprepchannel/gre_free.asp?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=248&WT.mc_r=180
http://www.catprep.com/exams/gre/launch-win.html
http://www.grammatix.com/shop/cgi-bin/grammatix.cgi?pg=freeinfo#gre
http://www.gorillatestprep.com/gre_resources.html
http://www.indianchild.com/GRE/gre-practice-test.htm
http://www.english-test.net/gre/vocabulary/meanings/330/gre-test.php
http://www.grebible.com/download.htm
http://www.computerbasedtest.com/download.html
http://www.testmagic.com/
http://www.supervoca.com/  

Visa: 

www.visafever.blogspot.com


Remaining/Haphazardly listed:

http://800score.com/
http://edulix.com/
http://www.testmagic.com
www.syvum.com
www.vyomworld.com
http://www.gistguide.com/
http://www.minibikesonline.com/linkspages/Education.asp
http://www.collegejournal.com/exams/
http://www.onesmartclick.com/exams/gre-gmat-tofel-sat.html
http://www.greguide.com/gre-issue-essay.html
http://www.800score.com/gre-essay.html
http://shivampatel.net/msapp/default.asp
http://www.usaeducationguides.com/?gclid=CKuR_M7R05wCFY0vpAodTRgsJw
http://www.greedge.com/?gclid=CLnNtZfT05wCFQtN5QoddRDBIw
http://msinus.com/gre.htm
http://www.usdreamz.com/2008/12/free-profile-evaluation-for-ms-in-us.html
http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2005/jun/23gre.htm
http://www.universityvisitorsnetwork.com/search_compare.php
http://www.i20fever.com/school.htm

Transcripts Trouble!- VTU!

VTU contact no:
Belgaum code : 0831
Ph nos: 2498136 / 2498135
{I have heard only music n nothing else! But people have responded to many so TRY them!}

DD details:
Get a D.D in favour of " The Finance Officer, VTU, Belgaum "

Amount Calculation: ( you get the same answer anyways!)
1) Rs [(1 * 250) + { (number_of_transcripts_u_need - 1) * 150 }]
2) Rs [(number_of_transcripts_u_need) * (150 + 100 for finance officer)]

For Transcript : ( Reply i got from the VTU registrar)

1. Letter of requisition with the mailing address to the Registrar
(Evaluation), VTU Belgaum.
2. DD for Rs. 150 X No. of Transcripts + 100 favouring Finance Officer,
VTU Belgaum, Karnataka State, India, Payable at Belgaum
3. Zerox copy of All Marks Cards
4. No transcripts will be posted outside India
5. Candidates are required to submit their Indian address only

Transcripts from Belgaum finding their way to your home (Mailing procedure):

MAIL 1 to "re@vtu.ac.in" :
(wait for their reply! dont expect a reply though, but its gr8 if they reply!)

To: "Registrar (Evaluation), VTU"
Subject: Request for transcripts

Dear Sir,

I am a B.E graduate from VTU and have passed out in year. I would be grateful if you would tell me the exact detailed procedure to obtain B.E transcripts from VTU by mailing? Else, could you please give me the link in the VTU site where I can download the transcripts application form?

Awaiting your kind response,

Thank you,
name

MAIL 2 to "re@vtu.ac.in" :
To,
The Registrar (Evaluation)
Examination Section,
Visvesvaraya Technological University,
Belgaum

From,
Name
Complete mailing address
Phone Number
Mail ID

Dear Sir/Madam,

Sub : Requisition for B.E transcripts

I, name, have graduated from VTU with a B.E degree in year. I hereby request you to kindly mail me my B.E transcripts (number of transcripts needed).
My mailing address is as mentioned below.

Your complete mailing address with pincode.

Below furnished are my particulars:

Number of transcripts needed :
Name :
USN :
Year of graduation :
Undergraduate Institution :
Enclosed DD amount :
DD Number :
Photocopies of marks cards from 1 to 8 semesters are enclosed.

Thanks,
Name

Mail to:
The Registrar (Evaluations)
Examination Section,
Visvesvaraya Technological University,
Jnana Sangam,
Belgaum-590018

Enclose with: DD, photocopies

You going to Belgaum (Belagavi) to get your transcripts:

I opted for this because i somehow felt i didn't have that much time that i could get them posted to my house and i needed a change. I don't want to write the whole story but if you want the exact journey details about the "the trip to VTU" you can refer this and this ! U wont get better information from anyone else! However a few words from me and my friend who accompanied me to the VTU!

1. Bus fare: Rs 450+ and Train fare: Rs 250+ from Bangalore. We went by Airavatha. Book at least 3 days prior else you will be in waiting list.
   
2. Identity Proof's are required. Please carry your License/Passport.
3. The local bus numbers going to VTU are : 113,78,161 and122.
4. Name correction and the like might require a sslc marks card. So better carry all your originals with you.
5. Submit documents before 12 o' clock. ==> Reach VTU by 10. ==> Reach Belgaum by 8 ==> Leave a day before.
6. Don't book your return tickets either bus/train before 7 or 8 pm. It gets late many a times.
7. Food at VTU isn't that good. Take your own food.
8. VTU fresh rooms are good, you can directly board a bus to VTU from the main bus stop.
9. There is this hotel called Milan, near Chennamankere circle. It offers an executive room for 2hrs for Rs 200. Breakfast food is good here. VTU is 45 minutes journey from here.
   
10. Belgaum is famous for Kunda and Kardantu. Best place to get them is "Purohit Sweets".
    
11. Ahem Ahem... Panaji is 154 kms from here. Make use of it! :P

Any more doubts you can mail to VTU only. Am sure they will reply. :)

Verbal Nuisance! - GRE

If you have loads of time, then please work on barrons words list. If you don't have the book, any of the following sites mentioned will give you the entire barrons list! I faced two problems- had less time and i couldn't manage to mug more than 8 word-lists. So i chose, Norman-Lewis's Word Power Made Easy! I got a score of 500 in my verbal. If that's fine with you, then u can go for the latter too. Don trouble yourself too much, work more on the quant section for a higher score!

When you are bored you can see through this site.

This is my favorite! I have no particular reason but, i would finish studying words of one alphabet and would take up a test from here! It was sort of fun! Dig into this site and you'll find more helpful stuff!

Guidance n stuff can be got from this site! I didn't refer much from this though.

You can also:
Learn words with Pictures!
Tips to crack Gre !

My tip! - You can enter your mail-id and can subscribe from the following sites and create a label for them in your in-box. Then you can keep looking into these once a while! Trust me, it helps!

Note: If you need any pdf's or e-books, do drop in ur mail id. Will try my best to help you!

Reviews on "Pathi pathni aur Woh...!"

A literal copy/imitation/replica/parody of "Baby Borrowers", this show "Pathi Pathni Aur Woh.." is one among the usual pointless reality shows i thought. But one lousy Sunday afternoon, i watched it for like 3+ hours continuously. Surprisingly, I found it nice. Yaa, it had kids in them, that's the only reason i guess why i was hooked on to it for such a long time. It was nice, in fact very nice to watch. Cho cute the kids were and how naughty.

It was actually weird that they were actually away from their own parents and they got so familiar and intimate with their "new" parents। And they got so used to these "new" parents that, they were not ready to leave them i found THAT very strange! May be these kids were taught at home saying " देखो बच्चे, ये लोग नयी मम्मी पप्पा हैं. अच्चे से रहना हैं. थांग नहीं करना हैं। तुम्हे जो जो चाहिए, उनसे पूछो वोह खरीदेंगे, मोटर कार, बार्बी सेट, टेडी बेर स........बी दिवाल्देंगे। " he he! Coming to the kids, they were very smart n well trained too. They did trouble the parents to a certain extent, but it was fun watchin them bond with the "new" parents.

I am actually watching the show for the first time. I came across this couple, Gurmeet and Debina. I was constantly feeling i have seen them on some other show. But i never figured it out till they showed a clipping of the show/serial they were in. They were the Shri Ram and Sita of the Ramayan series, which my grandma used to watch. It wasn that funny, but i couldn't hold my laughter. The Ram and Sita, actually fell in love with each other on-screen and off-screen :P. Long live Shri Ram n Sita Maiyya!

Basically, the show's TRP is high only because of the infamously famous Rakhi Sawanth. But in that 3 hrs, i actually changed my opinion on her. Lets say i used to hate her 100%. now i can say i hate her, may be 80%. She has a bad tongue yes, but she did take care of the kids given to her pretty well. She couldn't handle infants at all, but for lil' elder ones she acted like a good mother. She managed to ingrain a little respect and cleanliness into the child. I never never expected it from her of all the woman there. She n Eilesh are a funny pair i must say. They fought pretty much and they were quite intimate with each other too. Don't know how they broke up, this itself proves that the show "Rakhi ka Swayamvar" was a spoof! And now "Rahul Mahajan ka Swayamvar"... an extension of the same dupery. I don't want to say anymore on this topic, else i might start swearing also! :P

Cheers!

Start Offf!- Masters Journey!

Hi all,
I personally had a tough time with this Masters process. So just thought i could help out people like me. Have Fun! Relax! n All The Best! Bonn Voyage! :P {Start with a positive note!}

I would suggest you to start with TOEFL and book your TOEFL dates first! Advantages being,
1) It would boost up your confidence.
2) The preparation for TOEFL is easy. hmmm... quarter of verbal preparation for GRE would suffice for TOEFL!
3) TOEFL scores take much more time to reach than GRE scores.
What more aren't 3 advantages enough to convince you..?? Anyways its your choice! I made a mistake, you needn't repeat it! :P
Registration can be done at Educational Testing Service website: Registration for TOEFL !

Write your GRE. Book your dates at least a month before and i would suggest maximum 2 months before if you are free, else much before if you are working. Registration can be done at the same ETS website : Registration for GRE !

Take a sample test from here, you'll get a faint idea of how GRE exam actually goes. Why i suggested this site was because after you take a test, you will get a call from them, they will tell you how you have fared in it. If you have got a low score, then they will offer to help you out too. If you are satisfied then you can join else chuck it!

Join yahoo groups and GRE forums on orkut! A must join for anyone who even got the thought Masters/GRE/Toefl/USA is the edulix forums!

Download these following 2 applications. They are useful at all times. Not only now!

1. Download Word Web !
2. Download Word Tracker !
   

Calculate your GPA yourself from here. You'll get an aproximate idea as to where you stand and what to do next!

Once the Gre and Toefl exams are over, starts the actual head ache. The "application work"! For this all that is needed is to be a little organized. All i would suggest for this is:

1. An excel sheet - refer this to know how you can make use of the excel sheet here.
   
2. Folder/Cover- a separate one for each university. Just go on dumping into the respective univ folders and one day your application packet will be ready :P
   

Its not that very tough, but as i said a little planning, organization and little more seniors help is required, just to know that you are on the right track.

Preparing for GRE Essays made easy..!!

GRE Essays = Blah.. Blaaahh... Blaaaaaaahhhh :P

The essays section, we particularly needn't worry about much! We have been through essay-writing, letter-writing, diary-entry etc etc in "English" in our school curriculum! But to get the hold of essay-writing for GRE, i just went through the following sites! They are pretty helpful!

If you have a faint idea about essay writing and you want to practice essays and want them evaluated, then click here! There are about 10 practice essays, you can try all of them!

If you are the kind who would give more attention to your verbal n quants and you are sure you just want to read and look into few sample essays prior to your GRE, then you could go for these:

10 sample issue essays!
10 sample argument essays!

If you are the kind who wants only topics n you will practice essays on your own, then the pool of topics are lined here for you,

Pool of issue topics!
Pool of argument topics!

Apart from this you want to read many and many more essays then follow this link!
If u need tips then this!

My preparation was just this much and nothing more! Happy Essay Writing!

Gre-Verbal-Mania :)

After an "extensive" search for study materials for Gre-Verbal section, no wonder i got plenty of links and pdf's and new friends also, but i made few discoveries too as in new and long words . I seriously wonder who would even use such words.. YOU will agree with me after u see the words! Hav a look :P

• "hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian" is a long word which means "a long word". :P

• "Honorificabilitudinitatibus" which simply means "with honor" was used by Shakespeare. :D

• "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis" is a lung disease, caused when u inhale silica dust. :O
  

• The finale, the longest official word ever (1,913 letters) is the term for the formula C1289-H2051-N343-O375-S8. It is the chemical name of the protein part of the tobacco mosaic virus: "Methionylglutaminylarginyltyrosylglutamylserylleuc ylphenylalanylalanylglutaminylleucyllysylglutamyla rginyllysylglutamylglycylalanylphenylalanylvalylpr olylphenylalanylyalylthreonylleucylglycylaspartylp rolylglycylisoleucylglutamylglutaminylserylleucyll ysylisoleucylaspartylthreonylleucylisoleucylglutam ylalanylglycylalanylaspartylalanylleucylglutamylle ucylglycylisoleucylprolylphenylalanylserylaspartyl prolylleucylalanylaspartylglycylprolylthreonylisol eucylglutaminylasparaginylalanylthreonylleucylargi nylalanylphenylalanylalanylalanylglycylvalylthreon ylprolylalanylglutaminylcysteinylphenylalanylgluta mylmethionylleucyalanylleucylisoleucylarginylgluta minyllysylhistidylprolylthreonylisoleucylprolyliso leucylglycylleucylleucylmethionyltyrosylalanylaspa raginylleucylvalylphenylalanylasparaginyllysylglyc ylisoleucylaspartylglutamylphenylalanyltyrosylalan ylglutaminylcysteinylglutamyllysylvalylglycylvalyl aspartylserylvalylleucylvalylalanylaspartylvalylpr olylvalylglutaminylglutamylserylalanylprolylphenyl alanylarginylglutaminylalanylalanylleucylarginylhi stidylasparaginylvalylalanylprolylisoleucylphenyla lanylisoleucylcysteinylprolylprolylaspartylalanyla spartylaspartylaspartylleucylleucylarginylglutamin ylisoleucylalanylseryltyrosylglycylarginylglycylty rosylthreonyltyrosylleucylleucylserylarginylalanyl glycylvalylthreonylglycylalanylglutamylasparaginyl arginylalanylalanylleucylprolylleucylasparaginylhi stidylleucylvalylalanyllysylleucyllysylglutamyltyr osylasparaginylalanylalanylprolylprolylleucylgluta minylglycylphenylalanylglycylisoleucylserylalanylp rolylaspartylglutaminylvalyllysylalanylalanylisole ucylaspartylalanylglycylalanylalanylglycylalanylis oleucylserylglycylserylalanylisoleucylvalyllysylis oleucylisoleucylglutamylglutaminylhistidylasparagi nylisoleucylglutamylprolylglutamyllysylmethionylle ucylalanylalanylleucyllysylvalylphenylalanylvalylg lutaminylprolylmethionyllysylalanylalanylthreonyla rginylserin" {duh... didno scientists were this jobless!}

Which EYE??

Take a camera, open the shutter, look into the viewfinder, focus on the object for 1 or 2 seconds and then CLICK! This is how i take a photo :) and is also the simplest way to take one... unless you have a very sophisticated camera!

Now the question is, when you are clicking a picture in your camera, you look into the viewfinder through your right eye or your left eye??

I just happened to suddenly think of this. Am so used to clicking pictures with my left eye. I actually tried it with the right one too, but i couldn't. May be my left eye is dominant i thought. Moreover, i cant wink with my left eye, may be thats why i use it to take pictures. Also, i am a right-handed person so that means i use more of my left brain, meaning my right eye is the one which's more functional! Awesome! two contradicting thoughts.

Years before, had heard it from a doc, rather he taught me how to choose which eye is better..?? Hmm.. for that you need to keep both your eyes open at first,

• Stretch your arm out and point your thumb to any far object;
• Try to aim at it accurately;
• Without moving your thumb;
• Close your left eye and observe the distance between the thumb and the object.
• Close your right eye and observe the distance between the thumb and the object.
  

The eye which your thumb got closest to the chosen object is your "best eye" :D And according to this my right eye is more sharp! Anyways i am not able to decide which eye of mine is sharper than the other.... atleast i hope it helped you decide!!

Innocence/Notoriety Examplified!

Kid1: Avva, i'll ask you a question. you must give me the answer you feel is right! ok??
My Mom: Go ahead!
Kid1: What is the proof that shruthi is your daughter??
My Mom:What the hell?? Who asked you this question??
Kid1:You answer na!
My Mom:Ok whats the proof that you are your mothers daughter??
Kid1: I dont know! It's our religion and i must follow it and believe it! Who knows what the truth is!!

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Me:Hey sweetie, if you had a doggy, what would u name it??
Kid2:hmm.. shruthi doggy, would sound nice naa!

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I was conversing with my neighbor, who happens to be a mother of two naughty boys, one studying in 3rd and the other is just 1 1/2 years old.
She: I really don't know what these kids will grow up to be. Too pesky and annoying they are.
Kid3: Maaa, Tell me are you happy with a 5 lakh salary??
She:(puzzled) yaa of course
Kid3:Don't worry i'll earn so much in another 15 years.
She: HELLO! You should "study" for that. Else you cant get even a job and still you will be depending on me only.
Kid3:Don't worry about that, But one thing is for sure- you will always keep Cooking for me.
Me:Oh.. he likes your cooking is it?? good!
Kid3: Don't ask my wife to cook and all :P

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Mother: See your sister has got 2 stars in her book today and look at you u haven't any today!
Kid4 (just 2.5 yrs old): she forgot ma, she will give stars tomorrow!

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A family of three are traveling in a Reva car, mother didn't allow the kid to sit in the front seat,
Kid5: Maa, its always dad in the drivers seat and you next to him and me behind right, That means in future, it'll be Me in the drivers seat, My wife next to me and i will put both of you behind!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kid6: Hey Sis, i don't get the point why you go to office??
Cousin Sis: If i don't go to office, then i wont hav money for your chocolates and biscuits :P
Kid6: My dad, just goes to that place {points out to an ATM} and gets money, why not you also do that??


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Misinterpretation at its Max!

"Helloww is there anyone behind you..?? "

For a questionnaire like me, this was like the most puzzling question someone's ever asked me!! Am sure this will remain one too. This in my life dates to sometime around June 2007!

The gym i used to go was pretty spacious and pretty expensive too. The best part about it were the super-friendly trainers and the people who would regularly come there to exercise. I used to meet people from all walks of life there- students to be in "shape", aged men to look younger and women to be healthy and fit. There were a few who would come just to make friends too, and increase their contacts because they believed networking helped their business! {i too strongly believe in that!} In particular, "He" was one among the most irregular persons coming to the gym. All i saw "him" was around 5 times in a span of 6 months. But whenever "he" came, "he" wouldn't miss giving a stare with a bright, cute smile :D and i too used to respond to "that smile" with a sweet smile of mine! For now, "He" is just a memory, and my memory sucks, which means i have forgotten "his" face and how "he" looks! Of traces of what remains in my head, "He" had pretty less hair, an oval-ish round face, was almost 6 feet tall, and had a pretty well built body {not too much tho!} Once had heard "him" on "his" cell too. Lo! "he" spoke in Telugu. I was too excited for a reason i didn't know myself.

Yup coming to the actual incident!! Once it so happened while i was on the treadmill, "he" came up to me and asked " Excuse me! Is there anybody behind you"?? THE literal translation of "mee venakala yavarana unnara??" Iii was totally lost into a world of thoughts! What the hell did "that" question mean?? Why will somebody be behind me?? Like an idiot i gaped at "him", trying to understand the question and "his" giggling expression. For almost 2 minutes i was blank! Ahh.. then i realized.... "he" was asking if anyone had reserved the treadmill after me!

Thanks to God, i figured it soon! Else i have no idea what damage that question would have caused! Look at the irony, just 1 statement said by "him" and countless thoughts and not to forget innumerable assumptions following it. Anyways, later I had a strong feeling "he" has carefully, consciously, wanted-ly said that sentence! Trust me GUYS are just Pahhh....!!!

P.S- I have taken a hell lot of time to decide whether to post it or not!

Goo Green...!

Captain Planet!
He's the hero... Gonna take pollution down to zero..!
He's the power magnified... And fighting on the planet side..!
.
.
.
.
We are the Planeteers..... n you can be one too..!
Coz "Saving our Planet is the thing to do.."!
"The Power is Yours!"

Just happened to remember few lines of this song! Anyways, i was just wondering what "Go Green" meant and actually came up with quite a few things which GREEN could mean.

i. Vegetarian - Any product marked with a green dot is considered vegetarian and those marked with red is non veg!

ii. Vegetables - The greens refer to the vegetables.. especially the leafy vegetables!

iii. Natural - Given in abundance by nature!!

iv. Composting material - You can actually segregate the kitchen waste and compost the greens part and a make a small garden for yourself too!

v. Recyclable - If u compost it, that means u r literally recycling it!

vi. Eco-friendly - Environment fiendly and hence eco- friendly!

vii. Organic - My chemistry knowledge says, its those which contain Carbon!

viii. Renewable - Over some period of time, they are produced again!

ix. Reusable - Need not explain this i guess!

x. Biodegradable - Its biodegradable and hence you can compost it!

This was just a small information on greens as in food! But "go green" also implies saving water, fuel,electricity etc or in other words using it wisely! Thanks to YFS for making me think so much about environment! :P I have a feeling my next blog will be an environment oriented one too!!

Self Obsession due to Facebook!

Which color best suits my personality??
What are my attributes based on the month i was born??
What does my birth month say about me??
What kind of smile i have??
How lazy am i?? {i got "really lazy":P}
Do i use Left brain o the Right brain or both??
Whats my IQ level??
Which friend's character am i??

last but not the least.....
When will i die??
How will i die?? {apparently someone's gonna stab me!}

Now i guess you know what i am talking about! These are the applications on facebook! Lord, i just got obsessed with myself taking up all these tests! They are really a crazy set of questions to be answered and then the results are out! There are times when i have laughed like hell seeing the answers and a few times saying nah that's not me!! Another thing i noticed was my friends too are taking these quizzes and a few are making up their own quizzes! WATEVER!! i had fun answering them! And for this reason i can say Facebook is ok!! But orkut still rocks!!

DVC v/s A&D

This is the effect of watching angels and demons twice...!! Both the novels are one of the best i have read so far, but i am sort of more inclined to angels and demons for quite a few reasons! When i was watching the movie the second time, i was just trying to recollect and relate both the books!

1) The protagonist is the same Robert Langdon! A symbologist from Harvard!{ i had actually not realized this until a friend of mine told!}

2) Both books have the leading ladies as really talented and smart women, one being Sophie and the other being Vetra. I personally like the latter more, she seemed more confidant, sensible, spontaneous woman, especially after escaping with that piece of sheet from the archive!

3) There's a threat to the Roman Catholic church. That's the basic plot of both the books - Save Christianity!

4) The plots are such that there's a threat to "Religion" from "Science".

5) Both the books talk about a group of people believing in Science, and how responsible science is for the creation of Universe. One being Priory of Sion and the other being Illuminati!

6) In A&D though Camerlango is responsible for everything, but the role of the assasin is similar to the role of Silas in Da Vinci.

7) Both the novels begin with murders.

8) In a time span of 24 hrs the entire mystery is solved.

9) Sculptures and sculptures and sculptures is what both the books have! It was a pretty tough task to imagine while reading, but after watching the movie you will definitely feel like touring the Vatican City once in your lifetime!

This is all i know!! Its been ages since i have read the books. You are free to comment and express your views on this!

Wait.. Why so many Questions..???

OH YOU STILL STUDYING..??? no done with it.. waiting for results!
OKK DONE WITH THE COURSE.. WHATS YOUR AGGREGATE..??? blahh blahh
WHAT PLANS NEXT??? am still deciding
I HEARD YOU WERE PLACED IN SOME COMPANY, WHAT ABOUT IT?? they hav given a dateee..
AHHH THAT'S JUST A TENTATIVE DATE! WAIT.. AM SURE THEY WONT GIVE ONE SOON! oh kayyy
SO WAT PLANS NEXT ?? WRITING SOME EXAMS?? GRE NA CAT AH?? donnno!!

Guess for the first time.. I'M not able to stand questions. Am sure many of you too are facing these standardized set of torturous, sequencial, ridiculous, monotonous, un-answerable questions ! In the sense these questions are just cant-answer-now types! n Helloo! I know am done with engineering, but why don we engineers get some time.. to relax yar...!! Its recession time.. Understand na..! We will definitely think and come up with something.. after all its OUR future..!

Here's one sms on it {i found it apt actually :P}:

Don't ask

a woman her age,

a man his salary and

an engineer his/her placements :)

But ya, for how long can we go on avoiding such questions, hope i come up with some answer soon! Best Of Luck to all the engineers out there sincerely waiting for their joining dates!!

An Experience Felt Never Before!

12th jan 09
its 5.45 am,
i'm facing a beach,
in a city which i'm new to,
pitch black rocks on our side,
the restless sea on the other end,
not familiar to even a single person there apart frm my 5 frens,
an expression of achievement for managing the trip so well,
mom in my head sayin "YOU woke up so early??",
feelin the chillness of the weather,
rememberin the chat we had the very previous nite,
2 hugs from by best best frens,
watchin 2 other frens sit on the rocks,
sending one more to get the dil chahtha hain feel in the pic,
the sun preparin itself to face me,
peeping through the clouds which were just like cotton,
not yet ready to be captured by me in my cam,
emmitting few countable rays of light at first,
waves hittin the rocks hard,
remembering how we fought the salty waves the day before,
a small boat sailin away from us,
the wind whistling in my ear,
a comment on the french couple who walked past by,
SUDDENLY realising that a coffee now wud be perfect,
by then the sun shows up making us realise its a new day,
the last day in that wonderful city,
a fren capturin the sunrise and sayin shru "memory illa",
a plan to maintain silence jus for one minute,
a feeling of being lost,
a feeling of being taken to somewhere on a flying carpet,
a hope that time freezes at this very second,
a thought in head " i desparately need a walk now!",
an experience of the feeling-a need for someone rite now,
the refreshment seen on our faces after THE minute,
4 coffees and 2 teas at la' cafe,
a thought "wher wud we be next year at the same time???",
6 happy faces,
5 normal smiles and one smile showing teeth;) ,
everythin is PRICELESS!
luv u all gals!!