MikKar

Waiting is crazily difficult, been through it and pretty glad that it's just over now. I totally understand the pain of waiting and knowing that your destiny is (literally) not in your hands.

I'm not so sure US Schools really understand how each country's grading system works. Top US Schools get a sea of applications with 3.9+ GPA and solid research experience/LORs. Of course : when they see a stellar application with a so-so GPA they might still pick it but you always need something spectacular about you and get the adcom's attention hooked on that. I would say that you should put more emphasis on writing a really strong SOP and getting some super solid LORs. That's what worked for me, although in my case I have spent almost 5 years in the work place and 3.5 years was at an R&D lab so I actually know what kind of research I want to do, given I get to see them at work.

I've never been in a relationship, though that's partly down to the fact I've had a bad experience long ago and that I take rejections personally. It'd be cool to have a partner but it's always easier to take interest in someone who likes you first, yet to be seen in my case. But being on your own also means you have more freedom to move around and given the way the world is going, one should not be afraid of hopping over continents in search of the job they like (at least that's how I feel in my field). I'm going for graduate school for a variety of reasons, but most are mainly professional. I want to push for a researcher's career in the industry and for that, you need a Ph.D otherwise you will not be taken seriously nor will opportunities open up, it's that simple. I've gotten some decent professional R&D experience from the workplace and spent a few years in the industry so I do have an idea of what the job will be like once I am done (it's always good to know what's you are actually going for, in the end). I think it comes down to what you want more, eventually. This is obviously specific to each and everyone. I don't think it is critical to be with someone, though if I can find someone nice enough and enjoy her company, then why not : I am sure it is also a fulfilling experience to be in a relationship with someone that's right for you.

Translations HAVE to be performed by certified translators. As far as I know, your own translations are "void", as in they have no meaning to the school/University. Just to be clear, this was *my* experience, but I live in France and obviously in my case official translations were required anyway. Worst part is when you are told that a photocopy of the original translation is not valid... So you have to fork more money just to get multiple copies of the same translation... It can be a big mess sometimes but that's not something we can do anything about

It can take months, mate. Especially with LORs, as recommenders are rarely readily available.

I am willing pay to a reasonable fee, not the premium costs that come from brand names.

Lucky Strike

Real Control

Well, a great personal statement will be personal, first of all. So I doubt there is an example of a perfect personal statement, since it is pretty subjective and all applicants are different. I know this doesn't really help, but if you read your way through the "SOP: mistakes to avoid" thread, you might understand what's needed.

The best hook would be to explain quite simply what your research interests are and why pursuing those research interests at the school you are applying to makes total sense. fuzzylogician and TakeruK have said it well : a SOP is about being straight to the point and I might add that you need to carry a sense of knowing not just what you want to do but also how to get there successfully.

First of all : CONGRATULATIONS ! Getting accepted is the first step, and it is very meaningful. I think that once you actually get there and start the program, things can actually get smoother funding-wise. Masters' programs are notoriously expensive in the USA but there are always opportunities to get some funding after a semester or two. Do you have a lot of time to think ? Keeping schools in the wait can back-fire so if your best school has said yes, go for it . And again : congrats man, very well done

The TOEFL is only really important to pass any cut-offs the university uses to reduce the volume of applications. Otherwise a strong score in TOEFL doesn't really enhance your chances of being accepted, LORs and SOP are a whole lot more important.

Several Professors have so many emails that they don't answer them all. My POI answered me back after about 2 months, and even that was after a 3rd email from me.

Having been through 2 phases of waiting, I can attest to the fact that waiting is excruciatingly hard. Even when you have all the right signs, the agony remains (at least it did in my case), because then the mind can shift to imaginary details that are lacking in your application. Anyway, each University has its own policy but in my case, UBC just didn't tell the applicant about the application status (for good or for bad). What I can say is that at least, that way I knew absolutely nothing of what was really happening. Fortunately for me, things happened relatively quickly and I got a formal offer of admission about 10 weeks from the deadline. Once you have succeeded once though, at least it gives you a reference point for the future, of what worked, how it worked, how you prepared it, what made the difference, etc... But really : I hope I won't have to go through this again because I don't want to go through this again.

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