Sai Kishore Grandhi Review at University Of Cincinnati [U OF CINCINNATI], Cincinnati | Collegedunia

University of Cincinnati - My Masters Experience

9.0
Verified Review (Out of 10)
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Academic
10.0
Accommodation
10.0
Faculty
10.0
Infrastructure
10.0
Social Life
8.0
Placement
6.0

Student's Snapshots

Campus
Extra-Curricular
Sai Kishore Grandhi
Reviewed on Jan 30, 2025(Enrolled 2023)

Course Curriculum

10

  • The course is moderately challenging, with a mix of theoretical and practical learning.
  • Practical skills and industry-relevant projects are a key focus of the curriculum.
  • Co-op and internship opportunities help students gain real-world experience.
  • Some subjects have a heavy workload, which can be time-consuming.
  • Limited flexibility in choosing electives in certain semesters.

Admission Experience

  • I applied for the following universities:
    • University of Cincinnati: Admitted, Enrolled
    • University of South Florida: Admitted
    • University of California, Long Beach: Rejected
    • UMBC: Waitlisted
    • Texas Tech University: Admitted
  • I think I was rejected by UC Long Beach because of how competitive the applicant pool was and the limited number of spots they had. My GPA, test scores, or the way I presented my application might not have stood out as much as other candidates. Maybe if I had tailored my application more specifically to their program or highlighted some of my unique skills and experiences, I could have had a better chance.
  • I chose the University of Cincinnati for its renowned co-op programme; it offers valuable hands-on experience and gives an edge to one's career opportunities. UC also has a strong academic reputation. It offers various options to make it affordable for the students, like scholarships, affordable tuition, and part-time job opportunities.
  • Intake Applied To: I applied for the Fall 2023 intake.
    • Factors Influencing My Decision:
    • I chose the fall intake because it offers the most course options, better co-op and internship opportunities, and aligns with major academic and recruitment cycles. Additionally, fall gives ample time to prepare for applications and standardised tests.
      • Admission Timeline:
      • Application and Documents Submission Deadline: January 2023
      • Application Review: January to February 2023
      • Admission Decision Received: March 2023
      • Acceptance Confirmation: March 2023
      • Total Duration: The entire process, from application submission to receiving the admission offer, took around 3–4 months.

Class Schedule

10

  • Usually, 2–3 classes per day, each lasting 1.5–2 hours. Classes are scheduled between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM. The average class size is about 30–60 students. Around 50–60% of the batch consists of Indian students.

Faculty

10

  • The faculty-to-student ratio in my course is about 1:15, which allows for plenty of interaction and personalised support from professors.
  • The teaching style is a mix of lectures, hands-on projects, case studies, and group discussions, which makes learning both practical and engaging.
  • The course content and teaching methods are well-designed to prepare us for industry jobs, focusing on real-world skills and applications.
  • Some professors go out of their way to help students find internships and full-time jobs, often through their personal networks and industry connections.
  • I really admire a few professors because of their deep knowledge, engaging teaching style, and the extra time they take to mentor students outside of class.

Campus Life

10

  • The University of Cincinnati has one main campus in Clifton (Uptown Campus) and two regional campuses: Blue Ash and Clermont, both located nearby.
  • Campus Facilities:
  • * The Walter C. Langsam Library is a great place for studying, with tons of resources and
  • quiet spaces.
  • * The campus has awesome sports facilities, including gyms, basketball courts, and even
  • a pool.
  • * Medical services are available through University Health Services (UHS), which offers
  • general healthcare, counseling, and wellness support.

Part Time Jobs

  • Teaching assistant, research assistant, departmental assistant, jobs in libraries, food service, and administrative offices—these are some of the available part-time jobs on campus. An estimate of 10-15% of students get selected for the above-mentioned position. These positions offer a salary of $12-$20 per hour.
  • A few other on-campus job options are food service, residence halls, IT support, etc. These jobs pay less compared to TA/RA or DA; the pay is approx. $10-$15 per hour.
  • Students can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and 40 hours per week during breaks.
  • There is a very tough competition for on-campus jobs like TA/RA/DA, library assistant, IT support, etc. Students earn between $10 and $20 on a per-hour basis.
  • The demand for on-campus jobs is high since they offer flexible schedules and convenience.
  • In order to secure an on-campus job, it is suggested to take help from seniors, applying through an online portal, i.e., Handshake, and getting a recommendation.
  • Non-academic on-campus jobs are relatively easy to get.

Placement

6

  • The University of Cincinnati gives priority to experimental learning through its co-op programmes, which help students to gain practical experience, which is highly in demand from employers. 85 to 90% of graduates get jobs within 3-6 months of graduating.
  • The University of Cincinnati also offers various platforms to help students get better job offers by helping them with resume writing and interview prep.
  • The options to get an off-campus job are via campus recruitment, internships, and good PR with alumni and faculty members. Online job portals like LinkedIn and Indeed are also a good option for various students.
  • The average salary range for off-campus jobs is $75,000 to $100,000, depending on the job role and qualifications.

Accommodation

Off Campus
10

  • I opted for off-campus accommodation.
  • I found my accommodation through friends and by joining Telegram and WhatsApp groups for student housing.
  • The monthly rent was around $400–$800, which included basic facilities like furniture, internet, and utilities.
  • One challenge was finding a place within budget that was close to campus and had good safety measures.
  • My recommendation for future students is to start searching early, join student housing groups, and visit the property in person or virtually before finalising.
  • My accommodation is about 10 minutes from campus by public transport and 15 minutes by walk. Most Indian students tend to stay in areas like Clifton, Heights, or nearby neighbourhoods that are close to the university.

Exams

  • Exams Required for Admission:
    • I submitted scores for the GRE, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test as part of my application to the University of Cincinnati.
  • Documents Required for Admission:
    • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
    • Letters of Recommendation (LORs) (3)
    • Resume
    • Academic Transcripts
    • Test Score Reports (GRE, IELTS, or Duolingo)
    • Passport Copy
    • Financial Proof/Bank Statements
  • Interview Process:
    • An interview was not required as part of my application process for the MEng in Computer Science. The decision was based on my academic background, test scores, and supporting documents.

Events

8

  • Major Festivals and Events:
    • Homecoming Week is a big deal, with parades, games, and a lot of Bearcat pride.
    • The International Festival brings together students from different cultures with food, music, and performances.
    • The Spring Carnival is always fun, with games, rides, and live shows.
    • Clubs and Organisations:
    • The Indian Student Association (ISA) hosts amazing events like Diwali and Holi.
    • There are plenty of tech-focused groups like coding and robotics clubs for those into
    • tech.
  • Extracurricular Activities:
    • Sports like soccer, basketball, and tennis are super popular, along with intramural
    • leagues.
    • Cultural events like Diwali and Lunar New Year bring students together to celebrate
    • diversity.
    • The campus also hosts workshops and seminars to help build professional skills.
  • Overall, my campus experience has been exciting and full of opportunities to learn, connect, and have fun!

Fees

  • Tuition Fees: Total for programme: approximately $28,000
  • (Housing) Fees: Not sure about the exact amount, I reside out of campus, please refer to housing portal of UC
  • All-Access Meal Plan: Per Semester: Approximately $2,600
  • Health Insurance: Approximately $2,500 per year.
  • Fee Payment Structure: Both tuition, fees, and housing/meal plans are charged on a semester-wise basis, with payments due at the start of each semester.
  • Estimated Monthly Expenses:
    • Rent (Off-Campus Housing): $400–$800 per month
    • Utilities (Electricity, Internet, etc.): $100–$150 per month.
    • Transportation: Approximately $50–$100 per month. (College Free bus Available)
    • Groceries and Food: $200–$300 per month.
    • Personal Expenses: $100–$150 per month.
    • Total Estimated Monthly Expenses: Approximately $850–$1,500.

Scholarship

  • Scholarship Availability: There are scholarships like the Graduate Incentive Award (GIA) and Graduate Assistant Scholarship (GAS) for students in the MEng in Computer Science program.
  • Scholarship Received: I received the GIA scholarship, which helped reduce my tuition costs.
  • GIA Scholarship Details: The GIA scholarship covers part of the tuition and is awarded based on eligibility set by the program.
  • Award Amount: $1500
  • Batchmates with Scholarships: Some of my batchmates also received scholarships or graduate assistantships, which provided both tuition coverage and a stipend.
  • General Scholarship Stats: The amount of scholarships varies—some cover a portion of tuition, while others offer full tuition and additional benefits like stipends.