Georgia Institute of Technology (GEORGIA TECH)’s Industrial Engineering program is one of the best in the U.S. kaalEDGE.com had a chance to talk to Nishad Dravid, who is currently enrolled in this program. Nishad gives a great overview of the program, funding situation and job opportunities.

1. What is your current specialization in the Industrial Engineering Program?

Nishad: Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management

2. Why did you choose GEORGIA TECH?

Nishad: Actually it was the only admission I got. The reason for this is that I was really choosy in selecting my university. I was applying in Fall 2007 season, and if you go back a few pages on the history of the stock markets, it was a golden time for almost everyone to earn money. There were speculations that the market might not remain stable for more time, and would lead to a downfall soon. So I wanted to play safe and apply to only the top four universities, which could guarantee me the job, even in the worst times, and I am totally delighted, I took that decision.

3. Can you tell you the range of GRE scores of students who get admitted to IE at GEORGIA TECH?

Nishad: I guess best example will be mine, as I got admit with a score of 1180 and my friend was rejected at 1400. So I will say maintain a minimum cut off 500 on Verbal and 780 on Quant, but also make sure that your SOP is very good. It’s the overall package that they see. As I said, experienced candidates are always at a better position.

4. Do you see more students with some particular research backgrounds or interests getting more admissions in your program?

Nishad: Yes, more from Supply Chain, Lean Manufacturing, Optimization and Logistics.

5. Do you see more students with some particular kinds of work experiences getting more admissions in your program?

Nishad: Work Experience in Supply Chain and Logistics is highly appreciated. But I have friends who were from IT backgrounds. The main thing is an Industrial Engineer can fit into or come from any industry. After all it’s all about Optimization J

6. Do you see more students from some particular undergraduate universities or colleges in India getting more admissions?

Nishad: Mumbai, Pune, Osmania University, Anna University & the IITs

7. How many students get some sort of financial assistance in the first quarter?

Nishad: Only one person out of 130 got some funding. Funding is highly impossible for MS at Tech, because there is an intake of 100 odd PhDs, and they have to be funded first. But I have friends who got funded, maybe by working with the professor for some time, or on the basis of their huge industry experience. But, again, the probability is almost zero.

8. If one doesn’t get any funding in the first quarter, how good are the chances of getting funding in the subsequent quarters/semesters?

Nishad: Not much different, only 3 got funding out of 130!

9. Please enlist some of the research projects that are currently being undertaken in your program/department?

Nishad: Algorithms Combinotorics and Optimization (ACO), Economic Decision Analysis (EDA), Quantitative Finance (QCF), Humanitarian Logistics and Health Systems, Supply Chain and Manufacturing.

10. Please enlist any particular research area that has been a major focus in your program/department?

Nishad: ACO and SCM are GEORGIA TECH’s trump cards. Health Systems is picking up, not only in GA Tech but also in USA.

11. What advice would you like to give to the students from India applying to Georgia Tech for IE?

Nishad: The first advice would be, work in India for atleast 1 or 2 years before applying to GEORGIA TECH. I am happy I did that. The reason for this is that the course is very intensive and the tests are very practically oriented. If you have worked in the industry for some time, it’s very easy for you to visualize what the professor is talking and maybe relate his teachings to some instances in your work. This makes the course more interactive and helpful for one’s development.
Another thing is that, please make sure you are thorough with the concepts of probability and statistics, as we have to deal with hard core math here. Believe me, it’s only the students from IIT that can take the pressure, not everyone. Nothing to fear, but if you can take a few courses, maybe outside your college in probability and stats, it will be very helpful here.
Third and the most important suggestion, “Be a god at Microsoft Excel and Access before you come to Tech”. Also: Please look at the market conditions in US and then decide L

12. What job opportunities are available to IE graduates after their degree completion?

Nishad: Consulting, Finance, Quality, Plant management, Business Analyst, Logistics analyst, Transport Analyst. Every Industry requires and Industrial Engineer to make their processes better. So you have selected a good major! Don’t worry.