Build a balanced shortlist
Apply to 8–12 programs. Too few and one rejection wrecks your year; too many and every SOP becomes generic. Split them into three groups by how well your profile matches their typical admits.
| Group | How many | Your profile vs. typical admits |
|---|---|---|
| Ambitious | 2–3 | Below their average, but you have a strong angle (research, fit with a lab) |
| Target | 4–5 | Matches their typical admitted student |
| Safe | 2–3 | Clearly above their typical admits, and you would still be happy to go |
How to research a program
- Read the program page: curriculum, thesis option, length, intake and deadlines.
- Check admission requirements: minimum GPA (and how they convert a Bangladeshi CGPA), English score, GRE policy.
- Look up funding: department assistantships, fee waivers, scholarships for international students.
- For research degrees: list 2–3 faculty whose recent papers (last 3 years) match your interest.
- Look at outcomes: where graduates work, internship opportunities, industry links.
- Talk to current students — LinkedIn and Bangladeshi student associations are the fastest route.
- Record everything in a spreadsheet: deadline, fee, requirements, documents, portal login, status.
Your CGPA from Bangladesh
- Most universities read a 4.00-scale CGPA directly; some ask for a WES or ECE evaluation (common in the US and Canada).
- Germany uses the modified Bavarian formula to convert your grade to the German scale — calculate it before applying.
- If your CGPA is below 3.00, compensate with research, work experience, a strong test score and a clear SOP explaining the trend.
- Include your class rank or a department ranking letter if it helps — it gives context the number alone does not.