Applicants fret over US Masters program competitiveness
11 posts across 5 communities in the last 30 days; 64% from r/gradadmissions.
“I’m going to be applying for a Master’s program for admissions for Fall 2027, and I honestly feel lost. One thing that I have seen time and time again while looking at Uni’s to apply to is “email a professor before submitting your application” (for context, I am an Earth Science…”
“Hey everyone, I need a reality check and a few honest opinions on my profile for applying to MS Aerospace programs at UIUC, CU Boulder, UT Austin For context: I have an IELTS band 8, appearing for GRE ( To cover up my low undergrad GPA) in mid november. The program application…”
“I had a similar question asked to me when applying to a very difficult masters program at a good business school. I’m not sure if it is the company’s intention, but later in the process (multiple interviews later) the interviewer told me it was to see how I describe things. How…”
Multiple users express disappointment and uncertainty regarding their chances of acceptance into US Master's programs, particularly in fields like hydrology and strategy. They seek advice on improving their profiles and navigating the application process.
SOURCES (24)
“Hey everyone, I need a reality check and a few honest opinions on my profile for applying to MS Aerospace programs at UIUC, CU Boulder, UT Austin For context: I have an IELTS band 8, appearing for GRE ( To cover up my low undergrad…”
“I had a similar question asked to me when applying to a very difficult masters program at a good business school. I’m not sure if it is the company’s intention, but later in the process (multiple interviews later) the interviewer told me it was to see how I describe things. How detailed I am, how clear, if I miss steps or if I am thorough to the tiniest aspect. [re: $80k Recruiter job in San Diego - Seasats]”
“I am a final-year student at a non-Russell Group university with a low first-class grade average, and I am currently preparing to take the GRE in December. I have two internships: one as a portfolio management intern at a wealth management firm and one within an asset manager. The programs I am looking into are : Imperial MSc Finance LSE MSc Finance Oxford MFE Cambridge MPhil Finance Cambridge MPhil Economics Then: Warwick MSc Finance LSE MSc Accounting and Finance Oxford MSc Econ and Social His”
“Those are terms from the undergrad application process that you need to expunge from your vocabulary STAT, because they identify you as not knowing how the grad world works. Programs are ranked. Not institutions. You are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t search for programs to apply to without this info in mind. submitted by /u/moonshine-bicicletta [link] [comments]”
“Hey everyone, looking for a realistic profile evaluation for Fall 2027 admissions. I am targeting terminal/professional coursework tracks (MS ECE or M.Eng) Background & Academic Stats Undergrad: Purdue University, BS in Computer Engineering. Cumulative GPA: 3.52 GRE: Not taking / applying only to test-optional or test-blind programs. Work & Research Experience 2 SWE Internships 1 Research Internship Letters of Recommendation (LoRs) 1 strong industry letter confirmed from an SWE Manager S”
“326 GRE Score, IELTS 8.0, 2 years of field relevant experience, 3.3 CGPA and two research papers written as well. Aiming for master's in relatively lower ranking US universities for graduate funding and assistantships. Please give me tips!!! (Field is civil/ architectural engineering) submitted by /u/External_Notice_4652 [link] [comments]”
“I’m going to be applying for a Master’s program for admissions for Fall 2027, and I honestly feel lost. One thing that I have seen time and time again while looking at Uni’s to apply to is “email a professor before submitting your application” (for context, I am an Earth Science major). My only problem is that I have NO idea how to properly email a professor about expressing interest in their research in the case that I get accepted. Another thing that I’ve seen people say along the lines of is”
“Lot of Masters students come with experience from India. Many worked for American companies at their India offices for a year or two which helps But in general the absolute new grads that come for masters directly after their bachelors struggle a lot. We never see failed examples on LinkedIn. Many of my classmates went back home after trying super hard for over a year.”
The second /third is whether they'd need sponorship now or in the future.
“There is nuance to this. While many of these schools are selective, students at lower tier programs like the School of Professional Studies that are *completely separate* from their mainstream programs are often also eligible for F-1 Visas as they are part of an SEVP certified university. This is where the "unselective" part comes in. These particular programs have very high acceptance rates, and in some cases have reputations as cash cows purely to gain tuition from people who want vi”
“Hi everyone! I’m currently completing a BS in English Language & Literature in Pakistan, and my CGPA is around 2.5/4.0. My goal is to pursue a Master's abroad with full or substantial funding, ideally in Europe or the USA. I know my GPA is one of my biggest weaknesses, which is why I want to use the time I have left before graduation to build the strongest profile I possibly can. I'm also quite introverted and don't have a large social or professional network. I don'”