Profile Evaluation - MS in Ireland
How to go about your profile evaluation is the most frequently asked question in most of the discussion forums related to studying in the Republic of Ireland. Although there is no exact procedure for analysis of a prospective student’s profile, there is a general list of documents that are initially evaluated in filtering applications,
Table of contents
- 1. Bachelor's percentage or GPA
- 2. Work Experience
- 3. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- 4. Letter of Recommendations (LOR)
- 5. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- 6. IELTS / TOEFL
- 7. GRE
- 8. Internships, Workshops and Extracurricular Activities
- 9. Research Papers, Patents
- 10. Class X, Class XII grades
- 11. Backlogs
- Why is Bachelor's grade so important?
- How can I improve my chances if my Bachelor's grade is less?
No one can perfectly determine how your profile will fare against all other applications. However, we have given a brief breakdown of each criterion measured during admission. We believe that this might help you in forming an initial idea about your chances of admission.
1. Bachelor's percentage or GPA
Your average CGPA from your bachelor’s degree is a fairly important factor that determines the success of your application for a master’s program in Ireland. Maintaining an average or above average grade will do wonders to your CV and application. CGPA is huge factor taken into consideration during your profile evaluation.
2. Work Experience
If you have any work experience related to your target course, it certainly adds value to your application. It may even help you in getting a student job. Having domain specific work experience is also a deciding factor of your profile evaluation.
3. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
4. Letter of Recommendations (LOR)
LORs are highly valued and respected by application evaluators. They give an idea about you as a team player, leader, student and employee. Arrange for your recommendation letters to be written by people in high positions in your educational institutions or places of work.
5. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Your CV is a single document that lists all your professional and academic accomplishments in a brief and concise manner. It is essential that you craft it well. This is generally the only document that is skimmed through in the initial phase of the admission selection process.
6. IELTS / TOEFL
Put in a little extra effort and work on your English language fluency to get a good score in your language proficiency test. This will help you not only in your student application but also later when you apply for a job in Ireland.
7. GRE
Your GRE Exam scores significantly affect your university application and your ranking amongst all the applications. Your test scores are evidence of your aptitude skills and will show your potential as a prospective candidate at the university.
8. Internships, Workshops and Extracurricular Activities
If you have engaged in any extracurricular or voluntary activities during your time at school, university or work, it will complement your application. Such activities can also serve as fillers for any education gaps and vacation periods.
9. Research Papers, Patents
Any papers that you have published in national or international journals are noteworthy indicators of your ability to engage in fruitful research and handle pressing tasks.
10. Class X, Class XII grades
Your high school grades are not very important but if your marks show a consistently good or improving trend, you can write about it in your SOP and make a good impression on the evaluator.
11. Backlogs
If your overall profile is positive, backlogs may be ignored. You can use your SOP to explain your reason for poor performance and how you overcame it. Describe it as a learning experience rather than a failure.
Sample Profile
- Class X: 92 %
- Class XII: 89 %
- Bachelor's GPA: 9.08
- Work Experience: 2 years (in relevant field)
- GRE: 311
- IELTS: 7.5
- Research papers: 1
How to evaluate?
- Evaluate each criterion out of 100.
- Multiply with the respective fraction.
- Add up all the values to get a final prediction for the probability of getting an admit.
Evaluation
Interpretation of the result
Trivia
- If the final grade of your Undergraduate Degree falls between 60% - 70 %, the chances of selection may be quite low. But, if it falls below 60%, there is, unfortunately, no possibility.
- Even though you have a good GPA, the relevance of the programme and the subjects taught in your Undergraduate degree holds chief importance. For example, if you have pursued your Bachelor's in Biotechnology Engineering, it would be a little challenging to bag an admit for a Masters in Chemical Engineering. If you are planning to switch from your domain of studies, then justify the same in your SOP.
- Always list the most recent study/experiences first while preparing your documents.
- At a few universities, you may have to go through questionnaires, telephonic interviews, online tests, etc.
Why is Bachelor's grade so important?
Every year, universities receive hundreds of admission applications from all around the world. The average grade in undergraduate studies is a deciding factor of your admit at a university. Your profile evaluation mainly relies on your Bachelor’s grade.
How can I improve my chances if my Bachelor's grade is less?
Here are a few ideas that can offset the effect of a low GPA in bachelors and give you an upper hand in the university application process.
- Score well on all the online tests and interviews by the university
- Participate in industry relevant internships
- Arrange for persuasive positive recommendation letters
- Do related online trainings and get relevant certifications
- Attend conferences, seminars and workshops
Disclaimer: This post only gives you a general idea about profile evaluation for university admissions.