Columbia Interview

 

This was my first interview for I applied to Columbia University for pursuing MS in electrical engineering.
I got mail from their side on 25th feb' 2014 for the interview and was excited for the same. The mail said me to fill in the form via google docs which would hold the date and times appropriate according to me. I filled it and starting to think what would they ask, could I get into an IVY-League university, was I only one step behind etc.
Then I collected things required for the interview: a laptop with nice webcam, a dongle for internet connectivity and of course a formal shirt. Getting all these things I was again thinking for all those questions.

Then the time slot allotted to me i.e 10am to 12pm EST or 8.30pm to 10.30pm according to IST came. I started my friend's laptop and connected the tata photon device given to me by my junior. I called them 5-6 times via skype but it seemed busy. Then around 9pm i got their call and picked it. On the other side was a lady and we greeted each other. Then a lady started to ask questions and I started to answer them. The conversation is as follows.

Q1: Please confirm your first and last name.
Ans: My first name is Manmeet and last name is Khurana Ma'am.

Q2: Tell me something about yourself.
Ans:  My name is Manmeet Singh Khurana, i was born and brought up in Delhi. Currently I'm pursuing b.tech from NIT Jalandhar.(was too short)

Q3: What do you do for fun?
Ans: For fun, i read novels and do blogging. To blogging she asked what type of blog. I said that i write 2 blogs. One where i share my life experiences(this one only) and other in joint venture with my friend where we write about technological advances.

Q4: How do you feel studying at NIT Jalandhar?
Ans: I feel great here at NIT Jalandhar. Its in punjab and I'm a sikh by religion. So I like it here and my experience while pursuing B.tech all these years here has been wonderful.

Q5: Why have you chosen Columbia for MS?
Ans: I have applied to Columbia for its an ivy league university, oldest in NY, fifth oldest in US and have great faculty, research centers and lab. So it would be great for me.

Q6: Why have you applied for MS in Electrical Engineering?
Ans: Ma'am my branch here at NIT Jalandhar is Instrumentation and Control Engineeirng. And the subjects i have studied here in this branch are very much related to Electrical Engineering, so I would like to specialize in Electrical Engineering only.

Q7: What will you do after MS?
Ans: After MS i will be pursuing Phd from there only.

Q8:  In which all companies do you see yourself in after few years?
Ans:  Few years from now I will be in research or in companies like National Instruments, ABB etc.

Q9:  Who will fund your education?
Ans: Funding for MS will be done by my parents.

Q10: Have you ever been to US?
Ans: I have never been to New York or US.

Q11: Have you gone outside India?
Ans: I haven't gone outside India, but have traveled in various cities in India and also down south as well as east.

At last she said that i would be notified by mail in a week or two about the final decision about my application and asked if there are any questions from my side.
I took the opportunity and asked them a question(otherwise it would have seem awkward).

Q: How many time does it take for one to complete MS there, is it required to be 2 years exact?
Ans: No, its not like that. It mainly depends on the students and in general students complete it in or under 1.5 years.

Then at last I greeted her good day and said bbye.
Now lets see whats it gonna be from their side: YES or NO.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
Bbye to you folks.