(In this series, indianexpress.com will talk to Indian students who have secured admission to some of the top colleges in the world or the Ivy League colleges. They will share their journey of admission - from deciding which course and college, to the importance of SoPs, LoRs, documents and more) - Anurag Sharma I am currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. My journey at NTU Singapore began in August 2021. I first got to know about Ivy League and top-ranked colleges during my master's programme at IIT Gandhinagar when I decided to pursue a research career and enrol in a PhD programme. At that time, as part of my research, I discovered various college rankings such as QS and Times Higher Education (THE), which motivated me to aim for admission to the top 20 ranked colleges. After looking at how the research field functions in various countries, I applied to several top universities in the US, UK, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. Out of those, I received offers from NTU Singapore, the University of Rhode Island (USA), the University of Auckland (New Zealand), KAIST (South Korea), and a MEXT scholarship for Japan. I chose to study at NTU because it is highly ranked, especially for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - where it's in the top 5 globally. Additionally, my professor at NTU has a stellar reputation in my research area. International rankings and official websites matter To find the right college for your research, start by checking global rankings. These rankings also provide area-wise and course-wise information, which can help you decide your future university. Another important step is to look for admission information on university websites or dedicated platforms. It is important to ensure that you visit the official website of the institute, as it usually explains the admission process in detail. Also, the institute website will always have information about courses, including information about curriculum, scholarship, faculty and more. Admission process at NTU As per my experience, the majority of admission processes typically begin from October to January. To ensure a smooth application, students should start the application process at least four months in advance. The admission process at NTU was quite thorough. To secure admission, I began by reaching out to professors and thoroughly reviewing the admission requirements. The minimum criteria included having a GATE or GRE score for Indian students and meeting TOEFL or IELTS language proficiency requirements with a minimum score. I decided to take the TOEFL exam and achieved a score of 90 out of 120. Simultaneously, a professor responded to my email and conducted an interview with me. Following the interview, the professor and I worked together to draft a research proposal for my PhD, which was a crucial component of the admission process. Once the research proposal was finalised, I submitted my application to NTU. When writing Statements of Purpose (SoPs), remember to: Keep it clear and concise. Express your passion for the field. Highlight specific academic and career goals. Mention your unique contributions. Tailor each SoP to the application. Seek feedback for improvement. Advice for aspirants When it comes to interviews, joining sports teams and being good at communication can make your application stronger. Playing on a team shows that you can work well with others, which is important in research groups. Good communication, both in writing and talking, helps you explain your ideas clearly. These types of activities can make your application more attractive to interviewers. Also, work experiences, such as research internships, and involvement in leadership workshops and conferences are valuable. To build such experiences, students can seek internships, participate in workshops, and attend conferences. These opportunities not only enhance skills but also help in building a strong network and personality. Choosing to study abroad at the undergraduate (UG) or postgraduate (PG) level depends on individual circumstances. However, I would recommend students to consider pursuing their PG abroad. At the PG level, many universities offer tuition fee waivers and stipends, which can help balance the financial aspect of studying abroad. Is NTU worth the hype? I believe it is. Studying abroad provides a unique and enriching educational experience. It exposes students to diverse cultures, global perspectives, and high-quality education. The skills and experiences gained during this journey can be highly valuable in personal and professional growth. My experience at NTU has brought about noticeable changes in my personality and self-confidence. The university's world-class faculty and training programmes have played a pivotal role in shaping my character. As a result of my time at NTU, I have developed greater confidence in my ability to speak and interact with people, which has been a valuable asset. Additionally, the university's nurturing environment has instilled a more positive and proactive attitude in me, making me more driven and enthusiastic about my work. After NTU, my long-term aspiration is to become a professor at one of India's prestigious IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) or serve as a scientist at ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). These roles would allow me to make significant contributions to India's educational and scientific sectors. While I have had the opportunity to study and work abroad, my heart remains firmly committed to my homeland. I believe that India holds immense potential and opportunities for growth, and I am eager to be part of its development and progress. So, I plan to return to India to actively contribute to my country's advancement in the field of science and education.
