Mostafa64

Actually, I am almost sure about my decision. I have sent my documents for I-20 issuance. However, there are some universities that I haven't heard back from yet: UC Davis, Virginia tech and University of Arizona. who knows what the future holds?!

Hey Amirali Congratulations. I do not know the details of Berkeley Master program, but in my case and for CMU, there are 96 credits, which basically means 8 courses in graduate level. However, I think the overall number of courses depends on the courses which is to be taken as there are 6-credit (half-semester) courses and 12-credit (full semester) courses. About research, in case of CMU there is an 18-credit course named AIS Systems Project Course which basically is for research. I do not know whether it is mandatory but in my case I will for sure take it. About your last question, I am extremely inclined toward CMU and I really hope that there won't be any problem in the next steps.

To be honest, the main reason that I am interested in this second master is that it is in CMU. I found everything about CMU intriguing: the coursework, the interests and professors, the ranking, etc. For this it would seem quite reasonable to put another year for a master. Furthermore, This master in CMU is just one year long and In this one year you have to take 96 credits. Then one can request for PhD and there won't be any coursework in PhD. So, I think that, in terms of time, the overall time necessary for this master and the PHD after it will be the same as the PhD program in other universities. Any idea? Also, another important reason is that I am changing my research direction toward Damage Detection, SHM, and System Identification. In my current master in structural engineering and in my Bachelor I haven't taken any course related to thee issues. So, I have found it useful to go for a master to go through some courses like Data Science, Linear Dynamic Systems, Signals and Systems, Sensors and Sensing,.... As these courses are mainly based in Computer science and Electrical Engineering, CMU looked like a perfect match.

No actually. The first one was in Construction Management. The second one was in Structural Engineering. If I go to CMU, the third one will also be in Structural Engineering!

As the deadline is April 15th, I have to reply them by tomorrow. I will tell them to send me the I-20 form. I will wait for other offers until I receive the I-20 form. But if there is no response from other universities by then, upon receiving I-20, I will apply for VISA. And the thing is I am feeling a strong inclination toward CMU, their works and interests seem to fit my interests perfectly. It is indeed expensive, but after the partial tuition waiver the tuition is the same as public schools. Also, the living cost in Pittsburgh seem to be rather low. I am assuming that after being one year in CMU for master, I will have more opportunities than now. Don't you think so? (btw, what do you mean by the third one? )

Congrats buddy. Wish you all the best.

Thanks mate. I will do that for sure! The coursework in CMU looks really promising. Let's hope for the best.

That is great man. Actually I decided to go to CMU. This will be my third master! Hopefully there won't be any hassle in VISA acquisition process!

Still nothing and it is almost April,15th! I have 7 more universities to go, including Columbia, Virginia Tech, UC Davis, USC, UCLA, Washington, and Arizona! It seems that there is no way that all the results will be back on time! So, I am confused. Should I accept the current offers? Should I ask for an extension in decision period from the current universities and wait for the rest? In this case, will my VISA be ready in time? And lots of similar questions!

Nope!! Nothing yet!

I called USC and asked them to inform me of decision. The woman on the line told me that we should wait for the mail and there is no other way around it! What if the mail doesn't find me in the time limit?!

Yeaaaah! Finally the last week! Or is it?!

I really feel you buddy. Hopefully the next one will be THE ONE! However, cheer up! An unfunded offer is better than rejection!

Nothing could make me hate weekends more than this process!!!

To those of you who are waiting for USC, I have sent one of my friends to check up the status of applications. It seems that the decisions are made and they have sent it via postal service!!! How do they know that the mail will find us in time?? It is also possible to call Jennie Craig regarding the status of application.