Academic CV, SOP, LOR &

Answers of Some Queries

ATIMORAP PAROMITASUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015

Many people from this group request me to create a doc of my posts. So, here it
is.

There may be some opinions which could be wrong. Please do co-operate and
suggests.

We always feel shy to post on group. Sometime we get a feel like what other
people will think If I am posting too much or I don't know that simple thing !!
Please don't do this. Your query post can benefit too many people. So please
posting rather than in-boxing people.

How to Write Statement of Purpose ?

1. Take one month for writing a SOP

2. Take at least 15 days for writing the draft. Every day read the draft and you can
see that there are some errors or you will be able to see how much you can refine
your SOP
3. Give at least 3/5 people for review and print your SOP while you are reviewing
your own SOP. Hard copies are still a better form to identify your errors.
4. I read about 20 SOP. Many people use two common words- "Cutting Edge" and
"Exposure". Better to replace these words. From my point of view, these could be
cliche words

5. Avoid story of your high school days

6. Focus on your research background and your aptitude for research
7. I know how difficult it is to write 1st paragraph for your SOP. Maximum people
write a story about their childhood. SO its better if you can come out with a new
idea.
8. Write a small para on Extra curriculum activities. Many of us write like : I won
x competitions or I was member of X. Try to elaborate this sentence like : I won X
competition which is one of the most prestigious competition.. something like
that. As they dont know about X competition , try to give them an idea how
difficult it is to won such competitions.
9. Your writing should reflect your confidence. For example- I was successful in
overcoming the obstacles, rather write- I successfully overcame the obstacles.
10. justify your statements. For example : you have written that you are good on
communication, tell them why your communication skill is good

How to write Academic CV ?

1.Its better to keep Academic CV in 2 pages as many universities limits it in 2

page
2. synchronize the alignment in your CV. For example you are writing dates in
left, keep this synchronization in your whole CV, don't use dates in right ( if you
already put it in left section)
3. No photo in your academic CV

4. Its better if you put your name centered and much bigger font than your
content
5. I guess no need to add test scores as that will be already sent by ETS
6. You should not add your HSC/SSC results, as US universities do not care about
this
7. Before starting , write the points which you want to add in your CV
8. If you have publications must add it with journal/conference name, vol, no,
issue, doi number
9. No elaborate discussion. For example you have some leadership skill or any
communication skill. Don write a story about this on your CV. Be precise about
your skills
10. Don't split section in pages. for example you have started writing about your
programming skill in a section and half of its part is in page 1 and 2nd half is on
page 2. It does not looks good
11. Structure in chronological order. For example you did job in three different
companies. Maintain ordering of time. Most recent will be put on first and then
so on.
12. No need to mention your undergrad courses, it will increase your CV pages,
nothing else. Transcripts will be already sent to see which courses you have
covered.
Once you are done with your CV, give it to someone expert :)

How to Write Letter of Recommendation?

1. To whom request for LOR : Most universities requires 3 LOR. It would be

better if you could manage a LOR from a) Professor who took 1/2/3 of your
undergrad courses b) your research supervisor c) A professional LOR from your
job place. If you are not employed then took 3 academic LOR, among them one
must be from your research supervisor. Its better to take LOR from some one
who has a PhD degree.
2. If your professor write your LOR ( in fact that should be case), that will be
great. In such cases you can request your professor to add some points that you
want to have in your LOR. Better to provide your Resume, grades (particular
course that he took) etc so that he can come up with a better understanding of
your credentials.
3. If professor provide with you a template, be sure about She/He, His/Her. I
mean check the gender
4. In the perspective of Bangladesh, most of the professors asks students to write
LOR. If it is the case you need write your own LOR then here are some
suggestions a) You must write your referees institutional email id while filling up
the LOR form b) Identify the points you want to write in LOR, for example you
want to add your academic excellence, research experience, research aptitude,
leadership skill, presentation and communication skill etc. Split these points
among your 3 LORs so that each referee could say something new that was not
mentioned in other LORs c) First para of LOR should include one line
mentioning the time duration- for example she came to my touch since 2009 d)
just be yourself, dont write something that sounds like flattery e) Last para
should be included with a line that if they have query they can contact with
him/her( referee) f) Its better to end the LOR in one page Finally review your
LOR to someone who can comments/suggests and submit it your professor. I
guess he/she will polish more :)

QUERIES

Q1 : The university requires transcripts, SOP and Resume hard copy. Do I need to
send them separately
Ans : No, You don't need to send them separately. Put your transcript in
university envelope, your personal stuffs like SOP, resume put them into another
envelope, then put this two envelope into a bigger envelop

Q2 : Should I use DHL ? which one is cheaper ?

Ans : Use Desh courier. Its cost effective

Q3: What does mean Junior year & senior year

Ans : Its your 3rd & 4th year

Q4 : In some online application , it has a field name " Put your electronic
Signature " What is it ?
Ans : Just Type your name

Q5 : Online application : what should I put the dates attended to and from in my
bachelor degree

Ans : If you cant remember, put a assumed date

Q6: What is the maximum page length for academic CV

Ans : Max 2 pages

Q7 : Can I mention more than one professors name ?

Ans : Yes , you can

Q8 : How many days it took to receive GRE Score

Ans : 3/4 days

Q9 : How many days it took to receive TOEFL Score

Ans : 7/8 days

Q10 : In my academic address, which address of mine should I use ?

Ans : Home address

Q11 : Recommendation waive : Which one should I put ? Yes/No

Ans : YES

Q12 : My research interest is on X & Y. Will it be problem If I take

recommendation from professor whom research area is on Z

Ans : No

Q13 : What is writing sample ?

Ans : You can put your publication as writing sample. If you don't have
publications , write your thesis in 3/4 pages

Q14 : How much it cost to send GRE/ TOEFL score to any university ?
Ans : 27 $ & 19$

Q15 : Does UCF ( university of central Florida ) and University of Louisville

requires WES evaluation (PhD in CS)
Ans : No

Q16 : I sent my GRE score to X in the last year. Do I need to send it again
Ans : No

Q17 : GRE score reporting : Sometime I did not find department, Is institution
code enough ?
Ans : Yes, institution code is enough

Q18 : Should I include my PP photo in academic CV?

Ans : NO

Q19 : What points should I take into account while writing SOP ?
Ans : Motivation for your graduate study , your background- why you are
suitable, any extra curriculum, A final para about intended university

Q20 : what is the standard font size and font name in SOP
Ans : 11/12, Times New Roman

Q21 : What is credit hour ?

Ans : Its your course credit. For example X course is 3 credit course, then X's
credit hour is 3 hours.