This post has been written to announce that Manjiri (including all aliases) has finally decided that she is heading to University of Colorado at Boulder. I am not going to bore the readers by mentioning which A.D. this University was built in or even who bothered doing so. Ranked as 35th Best University by the USNews, it is known for its famous “Rocky Mountains” and a beautiful serene campus. It is located at Boulder, which is a 45 minutes drive from Denver International Airport.
After a lot of research and brooding (that lasted for about 20 seconds, including research and brooding both) I had decided to take up Master’s in Telecommunication. Each University has a fancy name for its course, for example, Syracuse will call M.S. in Telecom TNM i.e. Telecom Network Management, University of Maryland College Park prefers to call it ENTS (didn’t bother to inquire about the full form) and my dear CU Boulder loves to call it ‘ITP’ which I am (almost) sure stands for Interdisciplinary Telecommunication Management.
Coming to the ‘$$’ part of the deal:
Tuition fees: 24,700$ per year
Living expenses: 17,000$ per year
We had to show around 41,000$ in the form of liquid money for the first year’s expense including everything. This seemed like a daunting figure and I was apprehensive about selecting this University at first due to this same reason. It is quite difficult to raise 41k$ for one year, implying around 80k$ for the total course unless your parents are either the Ambanis or own a Platinum (gold would do, but platinum is more in vogue these days) mine in their backyard. So I spoke to my friends who are already there (they were smart enough to not waste 6 months and went for the Fall session) and thanks to their feedback, I deduced the following points:
1] There is absolutely NO FUNDING at CU Boulder, especially for this course. One has to be ready to pay the entire two years’ tuition fee.
2] On Campus jobs are easily available, and that takes care of the living expenses, which comes to around 350$ house rent and 150$ of the stuff like food and bills.
3] The job prospects after completion of the degree are excellent.
4] The weather is quite unpredictable, ranging from extremely cold to very sunny.
Here are a few things people have top say about Boulder (Courtesy Facebook and its users):
I. If the humidity gets above 25%, you consider it “muggy”.
II. You know all 4 seasons “almost winter, winter, still winter and drought season”.
III. When you aren’t in Colorado, you no longer know which direction is which, because you can’t see the mountains.
IV. SPF 90 is not out of the question.
V. Snow in June is not unheard of. Neither is 100-degree weather.
However, overall, the students there seem very happy and content with the decision of pursuing a Master’s from this University and I hope I will be one of the happy ones too*
*Conditions Apply.
“Conditions” here implies I get my Visa and no other obstacle blocks my path. Very unlikely that it won’t but hopeless optimist that I am, I am hopeful as always. I still have my TCS joining letter in hand that says I have to be present at their training centre in Coimbatore at 9:00 sharp on 28th November. So depending on my Visa Interview scheduled on the 14th November, it is either going to be Colorado, or Coimbatore.
P.S.
I. Many students get confused between the terms called ‘fees per academic year’ and ‘fees per calendar year’. Most of the Universities specify fees per academic year, which is of a 9 month period as against a calendar year, which is, needless to say, of 12 month tenure. Please take a note of the same while applying.
II. All I knew about Colorado was that India’s favorite dhak-dhak girl, Madhuri Dixit-Nene stays there her with her family. One of the principal reasons for me selecting this University. Hoping to bump into her while looking for garbage bags at a Wal-Mart.
Here’s hoping I don’t encounter too many boulders on my path to Boulder.
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Great description ‘Man’. I am just a little confused as to how can ITP = Interdisciplinary Telecommunication Management. I would be glad if you could elaborate on that. I also plan to move there next semester and so am inquisitive to know about it(LOL). What do you mean by SPF 90? Please elaborate. I will be glad to hear from you soon.
Pratik Shah
November 9th, 2007
a nice frivolous description ma’am…….
but as i know, nene has shifted frm denver (wid her family ) 2 mumbai 4 Aaja nachle and will b stayin mostly in mumbai now……….
dis mi8 also b another gossip by media……but who knows??
newayz it shudn’t deter ur Boulder plans n shud bolster ur career in a blistering way
wishin u all d very best…..
Rishabh Jaiswal
November 9th, 2007
@Pratik
ITP actually stands for Interdisciplinary Telcommunication Program. Thank god for the ‘I am (almost) sure’.
I am surprised you do not know about SPF.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number is determined experimentally indoors by exposing human subjects to a light spectrum meant to mimic noontime sun. Some subjects wear sunscreen and others do not. The amount of light that induces redness in sunscreen-protected skin, divided by the amount of light that induces redness in unprotected skin is the SPF. It is mainly a measure of UVB protection and ranges from 1 to 45 or above.(Courtesy about.com)
Manjiri Keskar
November 9th, 2007
@Rishabh
This is a highly deviating post, but its only human to indulge one in a while. So here it goes:
1)Her husband is a well established surgeon in the US and he possibly cannot think of moving to India even in the wildest of his dreams.
2)Madhuri Dixit-Nene is not happy with the way the movie has shaped up and hence she has refused to come to India to even promote the film, let alone thinking of shifting here.
3)Their kids are pretty used to US life and one day of mumbai-darshan had made them fall sick. I do not think their parents would desire a long term illness for the kids by moving here.
I cannot take one of the most important decisions of my life without knowing the facts right.I am dead sure she will stay there while I am there too.
Does it really matter that I don’t know what ITP stands for?
Manjiri Keskar
November 9th, 2007
[…] Keskar presents Colorado Dreams posted at […]
anja merret - chatting to my generation » Blog Carnival of Observations on Life November 10, 2007
November 12th, 2007
very nice ma’am……
dis was no frivolous gossip….until i knew d above facts (1),(2) rite…
even i was startled 2 hear dat (actually i read dat somewhr on net…….yeah !! on wikipedia) but now i think i got it !!!
truly dis is lyk….bizarre
in fact its insane 2 return 2 matribhoomi after usa-ing out!!!
Rishabh Jaiswal
November 12th, 2007
i’m sry….i meant fact (2) only…….
(1) is pretty obvious……else dixit wudn’t hav become dixit-nene
Rishabh Jaiswal
November 12th, 2007
@Rishabh
Keep visiting after-grad.
Manjiri Keskar
November 12th, 2007
SheBlogs Carnival, 3rd Edition…
This weekly edition is going to be better for everyone involved. I can actually take the time and go read everyone’s entry and do some commentary of my own when I introduce them here on the blog….
Sex and the South
November 13th, 2007
Hi manjiri! This is just an excellent blog. thanks a lot!
Does the low quant score affect one’s chances of getting good universities? Mine is 690, I want to go for MS in CS, overall GRE score is 1200.
Rahul
November 28th, 2007
@Rahul
Although 690 is a low score but I dont think it should make a big difference but there are some universities which are very particular about cut offs otherwise you should be fine…
Pratik Shah
November 28th, 2007
@Pratik
Sir, can u plz mention some of those universities which look for strict cut offs?? Can i get top 50 university?? My branch is comp engg, pune university.
Rahul
November 29th, 2007
@Rahul
Thanks for the respect with the word ’sir’ but I prefer being addressed by my name. Here Comp Engg and Computer Science are different fields at least at my university. I am not sure of which universities have these cut offs. Top 50 is a little difficult for you. You can look at targeting a range of 30/40-60/70. For more information look at the websites of these universities, they generally have these details mentioned. Most have a requirement for higher scores but they tend to relax them a little bit. Speak to seniors in these schools. they will be able to help you feel better
Pratik Shah
November 29th, 2007
ok Pratik! Thanks for the quick response but suppose I reappear for GRE and score something in between 1300-1350, will it help? Because, I heard that academics carries higher weightage than GRE score. What do you think? Whats rank of your university and how is it for comp sci/comp engg.??
Rahul
December 4th, 2007
One more question…where can I get the correct and authentic list of latest university rankings acc. to different branches?? Though there are many links on net but I dont know whether they are authentic or not.
Rahul
December 4th, 2007
@Rahul
Authentic content will have to be bought… but the closest is usnews.com…thats what every1 refers to… The general trend is that GRE score gets more weightage… thats what i am aware of… as far as ranking of UMR for comp sci/comp engg is concerned, they are 2 different branches… the system and facilities here are very good and thats what matters… mind well.. the university is pretty reputed also..
Pratik Shah
December 4th, 2007
Pratik, do u think I can manage to get a reasonably good university with my quant score(690 n total score 1200) for CS???
Also, I saw usnews but they also expect us to buy rankings; what to do???
Rahul
December 10th, 2007
hi….every1..
my profile: 75.3% till 6th sem
GRE:1460
Toefl:105/120
2 paper presentations
branch : EXTC
Mumbai university
can u tell me if there r enough jobs after MS telecom/IDP…pls rep…
Prathamesh
December 28th, 2007
@Prathamesh
Yes. There are plenty but you must be prepared to work hard for them.
Manjiri Keskar
December 28th, 2007
thnks manjiri for u r prompt reply….prepare hard means …shud itake any certifications like CWNA(CErtified wireless network administrator) or CWSA..etc ..do u know anyone who has got a job in telecom field after MS telecom management
Prathamesh
December 28th, 2007
@Prathamesh
I don’t know anyone in particular but why don’t you check the alumni on the university websites? You will also find the kind of companies that absorb these students and other statistics there.
Manjiri Keskar
December 28th, 2007
Hii Manjiri!!
This is an excellent blog..I loved it.Can u plzz tell me dat whether there is any stream of specialization based on digital communication for M.S.I am a student of Electronics and communication.Or any other site of my help???
Bidisha
December 30th, 2007
[…] Andy Fluke wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt […]
Colorado » Blog Archive » Colorado Dreams
January 4th, 2008
Hi,
Can you please temme as to how you were able to show $41,000 as liquid assets. The sum is quite astronomical, isnt it?
Thanks in advance.
Naitik Goradia
September 4th, 2008
@Naitik
You do not have to show the whole amount as liquid money. Also, shares and FDs count as liquid money.
Manjiri
September 20th, 2008
Hey Manjiri & Pratik ,
U’ll r doing some great work here….
I’m looking forward to applying at UCB for ITP( Fall ‘09) … could u’ll tell me how reputed is this program, n if u hv any idea abt job prospects post MS???
also…d u think i stand a chance of an admit, [GRE-(800+500), TOEFL-106, Acads-65% MU]
thanks in advance
Amrit
November 2nd, 2008
@Amrit
You will get an admit but I would not recommend this program right now. The job scene is very bleak, the management is changing and recession doesn’t seem to help anything much. Look to other Telecom programs, like UMCP or UPenn.
Manjiri Keskar
December 4th, 2008
Nice work! I’ll have to do a cross post on this one
Bartola
January 27th, 2009
Hey manjiri,,
My GRE score ====> V510 +q770 ,3.5 AWA.
Toefl :107 (23+27+28+29)
I do know that I have A chance in University of Colorado
But a feelin of insecurity
Because
1) I have been harassing the administrative officer for graduate admissions with silly questions like
a) I have sent my app packet a week back,, why is it not updated
b) After submission I made a blunder of updating my pre application form.
are these blunders a serious problem or a hindrance in my admission process
?
please reply asap
thanks and regards
Rajesh kapoor
rajesh kapoor
January 31st, 2009
@Rajesh
They are not a problem at all. Don’t worry I think you should be able to get in.
Manjiri Keskar
February 6th, 2009
Hi Manjari ,
I am Vivek . I have been Accepted by the ECE department as a Graduate student for the fall 2009 Semester ,,.. (U Colorado , Boulder)
I am a bit confused about the registration ( courses ). procedure …
here is the link pertaining to my doubt …
http://engineering.colorado.edu/prospective/how_pay_grad.htm
My questions are
1) Is the fee really constant for anything between 9 to 18 credits (i we enroll for that)
2)What is the minimum no of courses that i would have to enroll during the first semester (so as to maintain a full time student status)
3) What is the maximum number of courses i can enroll for , per semester ?
Vivek
March 9th, 2009
@ Vivek
1) The fee does remain constant after 9 credits. So the courses you take above 9 credits are actually free of cost.
2) To maintain a full time status, you have to take up ATLEAST 5 credits. Each course is 3 credits, so you can take up either 2 courses or choose to take one course along with 2 credits of independent study.
3) Any number you want. (Although ECE people say taking up 4 or more is suicidal)
Hope that helps clear our doubts a little…
Manjiri Keskar
March 30th, 2009
Gre–1260
Workex—Telecom Field(Huawei MNC)—1.5yrs till date
BE–62(Mumbai)
10th—84
12th—84
Deepak
January 9th, 2010
dear Manjiri,
my son has got offer of admission for Fall 2010 for ITP programme. his scores are : GRE : Quant 800/800, 560/800 and 5.5 and univ score in degree in Electronics, electrical and communication as 66%. he has got offer for RIT also for MS in computer science (Basically intersted in embedded system). presently working in Infosys in india, rather just about to complete training.
What are the job prospectus and which one you will advise to be chosen for
MS.
regards
VM
VM
March 10th, 2010
Hey, I’ve gotten an admit to ITP for Fall 2010 but have found only a handfull of Indians who’ll be going… Does the Univ host a forum where we can find people with whom I can share a room…
Nitin
March 14th, 2010