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Jbenrod

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  • Application Season
    2013 Fall

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  1. Nothing really wrong with the campus, in fact it's pretty well developed now. However, think about where you want to work and live later. If you are from, and wish to stay in the Arab World, then this can be a good choice. If you are from another Continent then I believe you better be sure of what you are doing as it will not be well recognized or respected in other parts of the world.
  2. I would spend time looking at the type of research that the different PI's are doing at the respective programs. If one or more get your attention that might be the group(s) you want to consider joining.
  3. It seems with your background and interest that the Biomedical Engineering would be a better choice. You will have some flexibility with either choice but would be more immersed in the many facets of BME in that type of program. Perhaps continue to look at some of the specific research groups where you have been accepted and when you find something that seems quite interesting and fascinating you will know you are making a good choice by selecting that school. Rest assured that you will be fine if you go the BME route.
  4. I believe you need to shorten you list down to no more than five of those that you have listed. Then you need to pick a couple more from lower programs in the U.S. or elsewhere so that you will have a realistic shot at getting in.
  5. Go with what you want and that sure sounds like it is EE. I think you need to be aiming a bit lower. That's still all good though since there are many good EE programs across the U.S.
  6. It's a slow evening so I'll offer my thoughts... RE your list of dream schools: It's just not happening i.e. "No". Spend your time and resources elsewhere. RE your list of "Mid Stretch": It's still not happening i.e. "NO" at UMinn-TC, UT, UCSB. (These three are still actually dream schools for all but the very top applicants.) I don't know enough about the two others you listed. RE your list of Fits or relatively safe: Consider these more as your dream schools but they all are still good programs so if you like them apply. Then add a couple more large state schools of your choosing depending on your location and area of interest. e.g. U of Delaware, one or more of the UC's (perhaps UCI or UCSD), ASU, etc. Good luck.
  7. You need to decide on WHY YOU want to go to grad school. Then if you do decide, next you need to think about what area(s) you want to study as that will somewhat direct you to certain PI's and programs and rule out others. I suspect several of the Big 10 schools might end up on your list. Many of them have excellent graduate engineering programs. Yes, your GPA does stand out and even though my math isn't the best, I don't see how you come up with only a 3.05 given the data that you present of 2.9, 3.2, 3.8 and 4.0? Your GRE scores are very good. Extracurricular's don't amount to much so I wouldn't spend much time talking about them but I would address the GPA in your applications if you decide to apply.
  8. Jbenrod

    Minneapolis, MN

    Many people would like to find something along the new green line so prices are up. Also, I think you are going to have to be closer to St. Paul to be in a better area if you are thinking of the green Metro rail. Just south of the U (I think it is near the Prospect Park stop that you mention) is a large Section 8 housing unit with what you'd expect to find there. I talked to the lady renting a house across the street and she actually suggested looking in another area as it would not be a good place to be walking back after dark. This is unfortunate as it would be idea location wise but some of the locals thought they were doing good to import/rescue a bunch from Somalia 15-20 years ago and many of them just learned how to get on the handout programs so it has now become a burden for the city. Further down the line around the Midway shopping area is the same thing only it is a large highrise apartment building. Hopefully, with more time, there will be some housing options but I think it would be a bit risky now. The bus system works pretty good so just look for some place a few blocks from a bus route that goes to campus and it should work out OK. Everything seems to turn over during the summer so during July and August is when a lot of housing will come on the market again as leases are usually for the entire year.
  9. I would not agree that UIUC has a better reputation. Even if you, or someone else, disagree they both are so good that this point isn't really going to make the difference. I haven't been on UIUC campus but have heard from other students that it is in the middle of corn fields. I know that is a bit of exaggeration but I looked into it enough to realize traveling to/from that location is going to be difficult. I do know that Rice University is simply an amazing place - even for graduate students. I believe they are actively working to make it even better. Look at the background of the new Dean of Engineering (i.e. MatSE). You already know about some of their work within Chemistry. They also have nice graduate housing just off campus. Based on the other factors you mentioned I would think it would be pretty easy to make the choice for Rice. I don't think you would regret being there and suspect in the future you will be thinking how thankful that you are indeed there.
  10. I would need to know more about the type and amount of expenses you are considering. Is your Mom covered by any health care plans now? Is it medicine she needs or help in her daily living activities, etc? How old is she now?
  11. For some of the bigger operations, an apartment manager may tell you there is only 1 (or 2) units left just to try and get you to feel a sense of urgency to sign a lease. So be alert to that and don't always believe it especially if you can find reasons to believe it is not true. Generally the people now living in the units signed a 1 year lease a year or more ago starting in either August or September. Therefore their lease/apartment will turn over starting this August 1st or September 1st. They need to give 30 or 60 days notice so that means that many of the potential apartments will not even be known until around first of July of August. The terms of the lease are what you are agreeing to. If the lease says you have to give 60 days notice you can cross out the 60 and replace it with 30 days and see if that is agreeable. If not you can always change it back - if you wish. It seems like it is going to be difficult a year from now if you want to move to have to give a 60 days notice (e.g. by end of May for an August 1st. lease). (Think about are you going to know where you are moving to 60+ days in advance? It sounds like that would mean you will be winging it for 30 days until other places open up.) Also be alert as the lease will give the landlord rights to show your apartment after you give notice of moving. That is expected and fine as long as you are clear with the understanding. For example, do they just show up after calling you the morning of the showing or are they to give you 24 hours notice? I could care less but if you want advance notice put it in the lease. I noticed one place I was looking at goes in and video tapes the apartment and puts it on Youtube? I guess that is just fine with me - but if you don't want all your junk shown to the free world then pencil in the lease that showings of the apartment will be to real people actually on the property and that there is to be no video taping's of your property posted on the web. Most of the time a lease only becomes an issue when something isn't working out OK and often it is because you didn't understand the lease to start with. It is best for landlord and tenant to work together and most of the time that is what will happen. However years ago my brother had one landlord (a doctor who owned apartments in midtown Memphis) who took advantage of him and others by never returning their security deposits so it does happen. Also, that same guy had the building heat on a timer. At 10:00 at night the boiler went off and didn't come on again until 6:00 in the morning. About 3:00 you would wake up freezing in the winter! So if heat is included ask about where are the controls located at, and if it is on a timer whereby it will be shut off during part of day or night - - just so you know. It is those unanticipated things like this that causes problems for everybody.
  12. If you are not familiar with Houston I think the graduate apartments would be a great choice for your first year. I think there are two locations, one near Rice Village and the other a block north of campus. The one near Rice Village may be closer to activities off of campus in the village area if that appeals to you. You will seldom need a car since there is a shuttle bus or you can walk to campus in just a few minutes. At least for one of the locations they even have a cool "furniture closet" that is run by a handful of some of the professor's spouses whereby you can pay like $25 a few days before classes start and you can "check out" a piece of furniture or two and kitchen supplies or about whatever you might need for your place. This is designed to help the international students who may not have transportation but it can be useful for any other graduate students as well. On Saturday's they run the bus to the nearby shopping strip locations (Super Target, food stores, etc.) The location I have visited has gated parking and seems very secure. You cannot get in the front door or onto the grounds without an entry device. The units themselves are pretty basic, all white walls and nothing fancy but clean and roomy with large closet space and views to the nice inner courtyards.
  13. Jbenrod

    Minneapolis, MN

    I was looking at the on-campus options as well but as you mention, the on-campus housing is indeed very pricey vs. other university campuses that I have looked at. Housing must be a big source of Cash Generation for the U... On campus appears to run around $750-$825 / month for a shared apartment. (If you would expect to get a car you would have to add another $70-130 / month for a parking space and you have to enter the lottery with all of the undergrad. students to compete for a parking location.). The other on-campus option is a room in Centennial Hall. The majority of rooms at Centennial Hall are single units (530) with a common bathroom shared by approximately 15 people. These appear to be the traditional dorm room in the heart of the largest undergraduate housing complex on campus and you would have to purchase a meal plan. I guess this is why most students, both undergraduate and graduate, do not live on campus.
  14. Scenario A: Return to my undergraduate institution
  15. Jbenrod

    Minneapolis, MN

    I imagine there would be a lot of turnover in apartments after this school year is over so I would think you can wait until end of May or early June to really start looking. If anyone reads this thread who is on the ground there in the Twin Cities can you give us an update on general apartment cost. I would have to share an apartment with someone. Also, has anyone else noticed how much it cost to have a parking spot on campus? It ranges from $128-98/month depending on ramp location to a remote lot like $68/month. They don't want people to use a car and I'm fine with that as I don't like to think about starting a car in "0" temps every morning just for a 2 or 3 mile drive to campus. I hope the bus system is as good as I've heard as I am from the warm south and am a bit concerned about surviving the long brutal winters. If anyone has moved to MN from a warmer climate can you tell us again that you have somehow adjusted and survived ? I have never driven with snow on the ground and we tend to close down anytime it gets below freezing so I am concerned about temps that will get below even 10F ! Someone tell me it is going to be OK to freeze for months at a time and that you can commute from an apartment somewhere around the East bank campus area without a car !
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