Exchange Diaries  

Apurv Padlia | Aerospace Engineering

Standford University, United States of America

While you were in college, what was your motivation to go for higher studies and in which year
you get that motivation? How did you manage your academics with your preparation?

He got his motivation while studying about shape optimisation as a part of Hyperloop Research
group, in his 3rd year. Managing academics side by side, according to him, is not very tough if you are consistent.

What are the factors that you considered for selecting the universities you are going to apply for?

He considered only two factors,
1) Colleges in US
2) Quality of Labs in his field

How are you planning to manage your finances? Have you applied for any scholarships? What were
their procedures?

Scholarships at Stanford are a bit different. You can apply for TA, RA, CA after you go their and
you will get salary and living expenses accordingly

Is CGPA a factor while considering higher studies at foreign universities?

Yes it is is major factor as before diving into your entire file they filter students on the basis of
GRE, TOEFL, CGPA. If you are applying for PhD, it is a major factor.

How did IIT KGP benefit you in your journey?

IIT KGP benefited him a lot as most of the professors have been abroad and they know exactly
how to write good recommendation letters. The IIT tag also helped.

What are the suggestions that you would give your juniors who want to pursue higher studies?
Could you please give a rough roadmap to ease their journey?

Find and thoroughly explore a field you really like and maintain a good enough cgpa. Dont utterly
follow the trend.

Have you taken up any research project at your bachelor/master's level under any professor here at
IIT KGP? How did you manage your college studies and worked for your research?

As mentioned earlier he was a part of Hyperloop Research group and was able to manage
academics quite easily.