Inconsistent academics. Please help!

[mostworried]

I'm in a very bad situation. I am from Delhi and here is my story, please take time to read it. I need your advice badly. I want to pursue Masters in Software Engineering in Canada.

I messed up big time in my Bachelors and I can't pin-point why it happened. When I was in 10th class I was a bright student studying in top 3 school in my city. In my 10th board I scored above 90% with 98 in Maths and 93 in Science. I also scored 95 in English. My academic performance went down after 17 years of age. And it kept going down.

In Bachelors I had so many backlogs that I don't even remember the exact number. I was incredibly sad. I would come back from college, eat food and just go to sleep and this continued for two and half years. I tried to get back to my best and scored good scores in all but one subjects in my 7th semester but still failed one subject.

In my industrial training for 8th semester I did very well and made a great project but I still had to clear 21 backlogs!

All I ever wanted to do is build things, be an engineer. My projects in Bachelors include,

1. First year project : LASER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - I created a laser communication system which transmitted sound or music signals through a laser beam. My head of department congratulated me and said it was the best project in the class.

2. Third year project : Looking at Indian govt. desire to implement solar energy at a large scale, my next project was based on solar energy. I created two systems. One fixed solar panel and other system was autonomous and moved as the sun moved to capture maximum solar energy. I created a detailed report on the differences in Electrical energy generated by these to systems and the advantages/disadvantages of each system. Again my HOD was impressed with it.

3. For my 6 week training I created a big data visualization project that mapped meteorite landing all over the world including landing on water bodies. Apart from that I created two extra big data visualization projects. One was data representing points accumulated by English Premier League teams as long as the Premier League has existed. It also maps their position. The other was heat map of literacy rate all over the world and a report on how we can fix it effectively.

8th semester project - This built on the big data visualization project I made for my 6 week training. I looked to solve the problem of illiteracy. I created a online education portal that could crowdsource teachers from around the world and they would donate a little time a day building the curriculum. There was ranking system on the best explanation of a particular topic so that students to could access the best quality of education and also have other low ranking options in case they didn't understand a topic. A forum was also created for students to engage each other. Something like Coursera or Udacity.

I have been always good and on time for my projects but I was very careless with my theoretical exams. This it he problem I'm facing. I just cleared all my backlogs in one go studying extremely hard. I was studying 14-15 hours a day with just 5 minuted break every hour. I was studying even when I was eating. But it all feels useless. I could not clear my Bachelors in four years and apart from these projects I have nothing to show for it.

So, my questions to you guys are,

Q1. How do I explain my inconsistent performance in my Bachelors when I didn't have any physical ailment or disease to admission committee ?

Forget about VO, I'm so scared of what I will tell the admission committee if I just go for it. I had no physical problem and yet I just let my performance go from bad to worse before I recovered.

How can I explain them that it won't happen again?


My positives,

10th result - 91.7%
12th result - 60.5%

Bachelors - First class 65%

IELTS band - 8
Listening - 8.5
Reading - 9
Writing - 7.5
Speaking -8.5


Lots of projects created in Bachelors as stated above.

For the last 5 months I've been working on my portfolio to get a job as a safety net. My portfolio includes,

C++ Projects

1. Inventory Management System using C++
2. Student Record Management System using C++

Ruby language projects

1. Caesar Cipher - Cryptography
2. Bubble Sort - Sorting Algorithms
3. Tic Tac Toe - Object Oriented Programming
4. Unbeatable Tic Tac Toe - Artificial Intelligence Algorithms
5. Event Manager
6. Twitter Spambot
7. Hangman game
8. Fibonacci sequence - Recursion in programming
9. Linked Lists - Data Structures in CS
10. Binary search tree
11. Test Driven Development in Ruby - Writing test for tic tac toe, Caesar's Cipher and Enumeration methods
12. Test Driven Development project - Connect Four game
13. Major Ruby Project - Chess game in command line.
14. Inclusion of a simple AI in Chess

Web based applications

1. Javascript Calculator
2. Javascript Tic Tac Toe
3. Javascript Simon Game
4. Javascript Minesweeper game
5. Missile Command in an HTML5 Canvas - Javascript
6. Photo Tagging App
7. Internet Movie Database - A IMDB clone
8. Single page applications in Angular.js - App displays a list of Android devices and let you see only devices that interest you.


Web Applications major projects using Ruby on Rails

1. Facebook clone built with similar functionalities using Ruby on Rails
2. Pinterest clone
3. Twitter clone
4. Reddit clone
5. Todo app
6. Workout log app

Big Data Visualization projects

1. Doping in Professional Bicycle Racing
2. Gross Domestic Product (USA)
3. Force Directed Graph of State Contiguity
4. Monthly Global Land-Surface Temperature

Putting it all together,

I'm working on my portfolio website currently to display all my apps and I'm about to launch three apps on app store in a couple weeks time

There are more softwares and web-apps I've created because I'm so worried that the stupid mistake I made will be a black mark for the rest of my academic or professional career that I worked extremely hard in making all this happen in the last 5 months.

For last one and half years I haven't taken a single day off.

And I still don't have a reason for my inconsistent academic career. No explanation at all.

I did not start drinking, smoking.
I did not make bad friends. Infact I did not make a single friend in College. From being a social person having loads of friends in school I went to being the kid sitting on the corner-last seat just not caring.
I did not do "awara-gardi".

How do I explain this?

All I know is that I just let it happen and didn't do anything until I realized that my life will horrible if I don't get back on track and fulfill my ambitions. I started working hard and here I am today.

Please help. I cannot come up with any reason for me messing up. I don't know what happened. It just happened and I don't know what reason I should write in my admission form.

 

[Dhan09]

If your intention is so strong, try to make your SOP convincing by adding all the info as is in genuine words.

 

[mostworried]

If your intention is so strong, try to make your SOP convincing by adding all the info as is in genuine words.

*(For some reason I feel this is sarcasm but if this is genuine than thanks for the advice)

OK. I understand that.

So, I contacted a lot of Uni and college professors. There is only one response from a college that is offering PG diploma. Some said that you should not send, "Critique my profile" emails. I read my emails to professors, and I do feel I gave this vibe that I was trying to make them feel sympathy for me.

The college that contacted me back offers a graduate certificate which has a minimum requirement of a bachelors. So I think graduate certificate means post graduate diploma. Please correct me if I'm wrong because I'm have no knowledge when it comes to post graduate diplomas.

They said that it's a good profile. In reality I only send them links to my codepen projects which involved technologies uses(coding tech) in first semester. I sent them specifically that so as to prove that I won't leave the course mid-way and I will be good student. They mentioned that the way I completed my bacherlors isn't ideal but because of my portfolio(quality and quantity) I have a decent chance.


If say I apply to both Unis and colleges and only colleges consider me can you guys give me some advice to show VO that I will come back to my country.

If I'm being honest, almost everyone here wants to immigrate to Canada. I feel like I give off this vibe that I'm trying to get in and stay there. This is bad in my opinion.

Also, I did not show the college professors/teachers my full portfolio. If I show that then the program I am doing is useless. I already know 90% of it. Should I just be honest with them that I actually want to move to Canada and have a better life or should I write my SOP for college as professionally as I will write for VO. By that I mean everyone here tries to prove that they will indeed come back.

Any help would be appreciated.

By the way the program is for two years.

 

[Dhan09]

@MOSTWORRIED, that wasn't definitely sarcasm. I'd not waste my time coming here and throw pile of crap on a talented one lol.

 

[pfse]

*(For some reason I feel this is sarcasm but if this is genuine than thanks for the advice)

OK. I understand that.

So, I contacted a lot of Uni and college professors. There is only one response from a college that is offering PG diploma. Some said that you should not send, "Critique my profile" emails. I read my emails to professors, and I do feel I gave this vibe that I was trying to make them feel sympathy for me.

The college that contacted me back offers a graduate certificate which has a minimum requirement of a bachelors. So I think graduate certificate means post graduate diploma. Please correct me if I'm wrong because I'm have no knowledge when it comes to post graduate diplomas.

They said that it's a good profile. In reality I only send them links to my codepen projects which involved technologies uses(coding tech) in first semester. I sent them specifically that so as to prove that I won't leave the course mid-way and I will be good student. They mentioned that the way I completed my bacherlors isn't ideal but because of my portfolio(quality and quantity) I have a decent chance.

Honestly, I don't think anyone really cares about names of your projects. You need to show your marks in software engineering related disciplines.


If say I apply to both Unis and colleges and only colleges consider me can you guys give me some advice to show VO that I will come back to my country.

If I'm being honest, almost everyone here wants to immigrate to Canada. I feel like I give off this vibe that I'm trying to get in and stay there. This is bad in my opinion.

Also, I did not show the college professors/teachers my full portfolio. If I show that then the program I am doing is useless. I already know 90% of it. Should I just be honest with them that I actually want to move to Canada and have a better life or should I write my SOP for college as professionally as I will write for VO. By that I mean everyone here tries to prove that they will indeed come back.

Expect your application refused for that. You basically says that you're not bonafide (genuine) student and makes life easier to the VO who is going to review your application. Why don't you apply through EE if you plan to move to Canada?

Any help would be appreciated.

By the way the program is for two years.

 

[mostworried]

My bad I wrote that wrong. I meant college SOP but I have been researching more and more, and I found out that colleges don't ask for SOP which puts me in a huge disadvantage. If I can't explain to the college admission committee then they will just assume that I'm a bad student by looking at passing date on my mark sheets and degree.

So stressed over all this.

I won't be writing that at all to the VO.


EDIT - Can my IELTS help me?
Do they take that into account because it isn't exactly GRE.

 

[Amitc005]

my studies are also inconsistent since 10th class got so much backlogs during bachelor's, I am also passionate about programming and computer science like you please whatsapp on +918149840899, I might help you. I am planning for Jan2017 intake got offer letter planning for visa submission. Message me on whatsapp

 

[prongs13]

I have a suggestion. If your age is not much...consider getting a part time post graduation degree or something which will qualify you for Express Entry. If you have 2 degrees then combined with good IELTS score, you can migrate easily with a lot less student loan burden. Thing is, can you wait to finish your post grad degree here in India ? go to CIC website, the CRS is quiet easy to find out for yourself with mock projection of IELTS.

About academics, i recommend to apply for a business degree in canada if you can and want. I suppose the Visa officer might consider backlogs too much.

 

[mostworried]

I have a suggestion. If your age is not much...consider getting a part time post graduation degree or something which will qualify you for Express Entry. If you have 2 degrees then combined with good IELTS score, you can migrate easily with a lot less student loan burden. Thing is, can you wait to finish your post grad degree here in India ? go to CIC website, the CRS is quiet easy to find out for yourself with mock projection of IELTS.

About academics, i recommend to apply for a business degree in canada if you can and want. I suppose the Visa officer might consider backlogs too much.

Is this for me for the guy above you?

How about International Business Management?

Because of my background I am applying for Computing Science and Information Systems at Douglas College. It's my first choice because it is two year and it teaches you a lot. I second choice is that one that contacted me back and I already know 90% of it.

Why would a Business degree suit me more? Won't the visa officer question change from B-Tech to Business?

I'm only 24 btw.

 

[prongs13]

This was for the OP, meaning you.
A business degree might be forgiving of academic backlogs..hence i recommended. They might focus more on your overall profile. Work experience, GMAt score..letter of references etc.

But with so many backlogs, can not predict what Visa officer will think. Express entry is very safer on the other hand. Think about it. But you need 2 degrees to have enough points to be called for ITA. combined with decent IELTS

 

[mostworried]

This was for the OP, meaning you.
A business degree might be forgiving of academic backlogs..hence i recommended. They might focus more on your overall profile. Work experience, GMAt score..letter of references etc.

But with so many backlogs, can not predict what Visa officer will think. Express entry is very safer on the other hand. Think about it. But you need 2 degrees to have enough points to be called for ITA. combined with decent IELTS

Thanks.

So I'll keep my options open. CIC website has an entire article on "immigration and refugee act - dual intent". I will be applying for unis and colleges and show them my resume if possible. If it happens then great and if it doesn't then I'll go your way. Because of dual intent I'm not worried about applying first for study visa and then for Express entry. In the mean time I'll look for 1 year masters here or countries like New Zealand and start learning a bit of French everyday.

Thanks again for the clarity because of the stress of all this I haven't been thinking straight.

 

[prongs13]

No problem. I face somewhat similar situation. I had decent grades till 12th But ruined my Engineering GPA very badly. and had failed courses too. in NIT/IIT, we do not have backlogs exactly...but supplementary exams.

I have met few school advisors when they had events in India, as well as online events. I have seen that they are relatively lenient about past academic scores and frankly not that scary as we assume. Visa office, i am not sure about. The school admission committees i met advised me not to mention my bad gpa and just focus on good points in application essays. They said if required i can somehow explain it away in interview. No need to put forward a sob story. Important thing is, do you think you deserve to be studying there. If yes...then present yourself in best light without lying.

Then again, i am aiming for the B schools so maybe they are easier then a masters program. If you do aim for masters, then go for a good university and not easy one. Otherwise i am afraid it might not convince VO.
Do the masters in India part time and save cost. You can find a job as IT analyst in canada after immigration easily.

Do you have a freelancer profile or some way to see your work ?

 

[mostworried]

No problem. I face somewhat similar situation. I had decent grades till 12th But ruined my Engineering GPA very badly. and had failed courses too. in NIT/IIT, we do not have backlogs exactly...but supplementary exams.

I have met few school advisors when they had events in India, as well as online events. I have seen that they are relatively lenient about past academic scores and frankly not that scary as we assume. Visa office, i am not sure about. The school admission committees i met advised me not to mention my bad gpa and just focus on good points in application essays. They said if required i can somehow explain it away in interview. No need to put forward a sob story. Important thing is, do you think you deserve to be studying there. If yes...then present yourself in best light without lying.

Then again, i am aiming for the B schools so maybe they are easier then a masters program. If you do aim for masters, then go for a good university and not easy one. Otherwise i am afraid it might not convince VO.
Do the masters in India part time and save cost. You can find a job as IT analyst in canada after immigration easily.

Do you have a freelancer profile or some way to see your work ?

Started working for non-profits and pro-bono. Applying for jobs all over world which ever job post offers visa sponsorship. Applied here too. Got offers but there are so many scammers saying they have the next big idea and want me to work for stock option.

This is exactly what I needed. I read my emails to Unis and colleges and I feel I'm trying to get their sympathy. It makes me look weak.
I'm thinking of applying in colleges as back-up only.

 

[mostworried]

No problem. I face somewhat similar situation. I had decent grades till 12th But ruined my Engineering GPA very badly. and had failed courses too. in NIT/IIT, we do not have backlogs exactly...but supplementary exams.

I have met few school advisors when they had events in India, as well as online events. I have seen that they are relatively lenient about past academic scores and frankly not that scary as we assume. Visa office, i am not sure about. The school admission committees i met advised me not to mention my bad gpa and just focus on good points in application essays. They said if required i can somehow explain it away in interview. No need to put forward a sob story. Important thing is, do you think you deserve to be studying there. If yes...then present yourself in best light without lying.

Then again, i am aiming for the B schools so maybe they are easier then a masters program. If you do aim for masters, then go for a good university and not easy one. Otherwise i am afraid it might not convince VO.
Do the masters in India part time and save cost. You can find a job as IT analyst in canada after immigration easily.

Do you have a freelancer profile or some way to see your work ?

And this is the exact truth,

I had this sinusoidal signal type ups and downs. Positives academic moments and negative academic moments. Then I completely stopped for a few weeks. I did not touch my PC, books and just watched movies, TV, went out, traveled to meet my distant family. This was on purpose. I hoped to re-ignite that urgency. I use to plan my days and weeks when I was a good student. That urgency came back on its own, work ethic and everything. It started with sleepless nights but I forced myself for a few more days and then I just couldn't do it. Pulled an all-nighter, opened my book, completed two chapters of a subject and slept so well. Then it was back to automatic mode, everyday making goal in the morning, reviewing those goals and then reviewing the week. No stress at all. Now I'm again just a little stressed but nothing compared to my bad time.

Should I write this?

 

[prongs13]

No, strictly not at all. No body wants to read or understand about failures in this way. Just consider if you yourself think you are deserving of that admission or not. if yes, then how can you demonstrate it in profile.
Avoid mentioning negatives. No need to put whole saga. Happens to many people. focus on the positives to be showcased in application.
If they feel you still are bogged down by all this past, then what positivity can you bring to the program ?