u/Beginning_Ad8588

Hi everyone, I’m applying as a non-EU international student for the MSc in Computer Science and Engineering at Polimi.
I wanted to understand how much importance the admissions committee gives to the CV/profile beyond academics.
Do they mainly evaluate:
GPA/CGPA and academic background
Course mapping and whether you meet the required credits
University/transcript and grading system
Or do they also meaningfully consider things mentioned in the CV, such as:
Projects
Internships/work experience
Research experience or publications
Technical skills
Extracurriculars
For example, if two applicants have similar academic profiles and meet the course/credit requirements, can a stronger CV with relevant projects, internships, or research make a meaningful difference in the admission decision?

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to apply as a non-EU/international student from India for the MSc in Computer Engineering at Politecnico di Torino (PoliTO) for the September 2027 intake, and I had a few questions specifically for applicants who went through the process with an Indian/foreign bachelor’s degree.
My profile:
Bachelor’s: Computer Engineering, India
University: SPPU
CGPA: 9.422/10
Classification: First Class with Distinction
No failed courses/backlogs
Entire bachelor’s degree taught and assessed in English
My undergraduate curriculum covers most of the core CS/Computer Engineering areas, including:
Engineering Mathematics (calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, probability/statistics, discrete mathematics, etc., across multiple courses)
Data Structures and Algorithms
Object-Oriented Programming
Python and Java
Database Management Systems
Computer Networks
Operating Systems
System Programming
Theory of Computation
Web Technology
Software Engineering
Digital Electronics and Logic Design
Microprocessors
Cyber Security
Data Science / Big Data Analytics
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Graphics
Cloud Computing
Design and Analysis of Algorithms
Machine Learning
Deep Learning
High Performance Computing
Blockchain Technology
I will provide the official transcript, grading system and detailed course syllabi as required.
I mainly have three questions:
1. ECTS / course-credit mapping
For applicants with a foreign bachelor’s degree, are we expected to personally convert/map our university courses and credits into ECTS?
My university provides official transcripts containing the credits and grading system, and I can also provide detailed syllabi/course descriptions. Does PoliTO itself evaluate the academic workload and course content, or should applicants prepare their own ECTS-equivalence table?
2. English proficiency / MOI
I noticed that PoliTO provides exemptions for applicants from certain countries/educational backgrounds, and that India is included among the Asian countries for which an English-taught degree/MOI may be used for the exemption.
Since my entire bachelor’s degree (100%) was taught and assessed in English, would an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate be sufficient in this situation?
For Indian applicants whose entire bachelor’s degree was in English, did you submit only the MOI, or did you also submit IELTS/TOEFL?
3. GRE — particularly for an open-access programme
This is the point I’m most unsure about.
Since the programme is described as open access, and GRE is listed as optional but highly valued, how important is GRE in practice?
For applicants who already have a strong academic record and whose bachelor’s curriculum closely matches the programme requirements, is it realistic to be admitted without submitting GRE?
For example, with a profile such as mine (9.422/10 CGPA, First Class with Distinction, no backlogs, and extensive coverage of CS/CE subjects), would submitting a strong GRE score meaningfully strengthen the application, or is it more of a supplementary advantage rather than something necessary?
Also, for applicants who were admitted without GRE, did you feel that the admission decision was primarily based on the curriculum/academic background and fulfilment of curricular requirements?
I’m mainly trying to understand how PoliTO differentiates between applicants when the applicant already has a strong academic record and a bachelor’s curriculum closely aligned with the programme.
I would especially appreciate responses from non-EU applicants with an Indian/foreign bachelor’s degree who applied to PoliTO, particularly those who were admitted without GRE.
Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to apply as a non-EU/international student from India for the MSc in Computer Science and Engineering at Politecnico di Milano for 2027 Sept intake, and I had a few questions specifically for people who have gone through the application process with a foreign bachelor’s degree.

My profile:
Bachelor’s: Computer Engineering, India
University: Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)
CGPA: 9.422/10 (With no failed courses or backlog)
Classification: First Class with Distinction
Degree is entirely taught and assessed in English

My undergraduate curriculum covers most of the core areas I believe Polimi looks for. Some of the relevant subjects I have completed are:

1. Foundational Mathematics / Engineering Mathematics - covering calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, probability/statistics, discrete mathematics, etc. (Mathematics topics spanned across 4 different courses which will be shown in transcripts)
2. Data Structures and Algorithms - two extensive courses
3. Object-Oriented Programming
4. Python
5. Java
6. Database Management Systems
7. Computer Networks
8. Operating Systems
9. System Programming and Operating Systems
10. Theory of Computation
11. Web Technology
12. Software Engineering
13. Digital Electronics and Logic Design
14. Microprocessors
15. Cyber Security
16. Data Science / Big Data Analytics
17. Artificial Intelligence
18. Computer Graphics
19. Cloud Computing
20. Design and Analysis of Algorithms
21. Machine Learning
22. Deep Learning
23. High Performance Computing
24. Blockchain Technology
    I will obviously provide my official transcripts and detailed syllabi/course descriptions as required.
    I have a few questions:
    1. ECTS/course-credit mapping
    For applicants with a foreign bachelor’s degree, do I personally need to convert/map each of my university courses and credits into ECTS, or does Polimi assess the transcript and course content themselves?
    My university provides official transcripts with the grading system/credit information, and I can also provide detailed syllabi for each course. I am wondering whether applicants are expected to create their own ECTS equivalence table, or whether Polimi’s admissions committee evaluates the workload and academic content independently.
    2. Proof of English / MOI
    Since my entire bachelor’s degree was taught and assessed in English, would an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate generally be sufficient?
    Polimi’s website says that an MOI can be accepted even when at least 75% of the programme was taught in English. In my case, the programme was 100% in English.
    For applicants in a similar situation, did you simply submit the MOI, or did you also take IELTS/TOEFL?
    3. GRE, SOP and LOR
    GRE, SOP and LOR appear to be optional/additional elements for the application.
    For people who have actually been admitted to CSE as international applicants:
    Does submitting a good GRE score meaningfully improve the application?
    How much weight does the SOP seem to have?
    Are LORs actually useful for admission, or are they mostly irrelevant compared with the academic transcript?
    If the academic profile is already strong, is there any reason to submit these optional documents?
    I’m mainly trying to understand what Polimi actually uses to differentiate applicants when their bachelor’s background is already closely aligned with CSE.
    Would especially appreciate answers from non-EU applicants with an Indian/foreign bachelor’s degree who applied to Polimi CSE, particularly those who were admitted.
    Thanks!