eklavya

770 Q score isn't bad, even for a math major like you. But some schools are perfectionists and demand 100%. If you are applying to such schools, go take the GRE again. Else, you can always impress the adcomms with your research, LoRs, and so on.

Plenty of jobs available but if you are not an American citizen, getting into government-funded or government institutions might not be possible. Private companies, INGOs, and multinational companies are the best options. I (int'l student) plan to go into academia but not right after I get my PhD. So I am thinking about work in the private sector for few years, make $$ and then head to a TT position. We'll see how that rolls out.

bringing this thread up. my recent read (started in the summer, halted about 3 months ago) 'the idiot' by dostoevsky

6 weeks? wow! so you got your offer (early?) because you are already there? i am dying to hear an interview offer from UFL because I really want to see the place and the department. their sugarcane fuel research is what i am most interested in. cool. i hope your scores and transcripts aren't lost and will find their way to the admission office pretty soon. good luck!

If it helps, close any open pdf files - be it on the browser or on the pdf viewing software. Another place to check is the taskmanager. Sometimes the programs can run in the background and might need to be closed. Or, maybe the file is corrupt?

what is uncley?

furry wings

people aren't saying the rudest things. they aren't being offensive either. i think people who seem rude/offensive are usually those not familiar with the pros of PhD and the good things it brings. they focus on how long it takes to get a degree, and how excruciating it is to go through certain classes. personally, my family, friends and professors have taken my decision to get a PhD very positively. i've also come across some (friends) who think going for a PhD is a waste of time. meh.

If you have time, take the GRE to get a higher Q score. If you don't, then perhaps you can rely on your research strength. But nothing is given and guaranteed. So, you never know what might happen. But because you are applying next year, I think investing some time for GRE is something not entirely impossible... you know, may be few hours each week till you feel you are ready. And no, continue your research. Research is going to be your biggest asset whether you apply for PhD or not.

Let me correct you by saying that research is NOT the only factor for PhD admission. Although, it is probably the most important factor. How strongly you word your SoP and how strong your LoRs are also very important. Needless to say, your GPA is very important as well. GRE, while not so important for science programs, still accounts for something. So in general, every aspect of your application is evaluated. In your case, your Q score is definitely low. Anything under 750 for engineering students might not leave a good impression. Do not worry about V score, especially if you are an international student. Adcomms know that english isn't your first language; and they also know that the GRE english is not the type of english you will be practicing throughout your PhD program (and later in your pro life). I applied to top programs in my field (5 of 7 schools I have applied to are ranked within the top 6) with 430V & 780Q (int'l student with BS and MS degrees from the US), and I already have offers from two top schools. While this doesn't mean you should consider yourself as a guaranteed admit in your programs, it nonetheless should give you the picture. I personally think that my research credentials (amazing internships, conferences, papers, etc), LoRs from very renowned scientists and my SoP helped me get in. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!

you guys google yourself!?

go around

3+ years of research 2 internships - one in nationally (US) acclaimed institute and another in internationally (Germany/Europe) acclaimed institute LoRs from bigshot PIs BS degree in 3.5 years with 1.5 years of TA experience, 1 paper and conference appearances MS degree (with a thesis) in 1.5 years (ongoing) 1 year of TA experience, 2 papers and conference appearances I guess this is it. I have plenty of Cs in my undergrad transcript, even in lifescience courses, and because of which my BS GPA is decent. I feel confident in posting this here because I've gotten into 2 programs now. I am hopeful about getting into rest of the programs as well.

same in my field. although i don't really care about other schools as long as i get interview/admission offer from Wisconsin. here comes january!!

i scanned my BS diploma and uploaded it to the application system for one school, although this was optional. but what intrigues me is why does the school care if you have graduated or not. it appears as if the school wants you to have a diploma before you apply - and this is quite absurd given that most applicants apply to PhD programs during their senior year. if your PhD program requires that you have to have a BS (and other) degree before you apply, contacting your undergrad institution as well as the graduate program would be wise.

slightly different perspective on this topic - as soon as you get an interview and/or admission offer, the tables will be turned and YOU will be itching to spread the news to your friends and families. i know some of us here try to be secretive until we hear interview and admission offers. so, the question is, how secretive you will (/can) be once you get the good news?

just right

this is odd - all the application systems i have encountered so far allow the applicant to add/delete/modify the list of LoR writers. if you are absolutely certain you can't go back and change the fields, it is better to call/email the gradsecs at the school to 'open' the form for you again so that you can make the changes. if this isn't possible, ask them if they can delete your previous application so that you can submit a new one. or, ask them if you provide the list of email addresses of the LoR writers to them and they can email your letter writers directly. this way the 'officialness' of the LoRs remains valid. if nothing works, perhaps going the snail mail way is your best option. it's not that bad actually. but i don't think you should submit a new application just because of this issue. it might look poor on your side.

my honest thoughts: your undergrad gpa is quite low. but your masters gpa is amazing. it should offset the low undergrad gpa. hopefully. although most science majors don't care about verbal score, 300 is quite low. do you have any research experiences? conferences, seminars, posters, papers? voluntary or paid work experience in related field? these will greatly enhance your chances and in most cases can overshadow your gpa. i would say you have decent shot of getting in US schools. since adcomms and/or professors are looking for a variety of things in their students, it is hard to declare right away if you will get in for sure. you can always contact profs at different schools through email and ask them if they are taking in grad students. this has proven to help many students.

tasty foods

no apocalypse

Converse is fine, if you prefer it that way. And not like you will be out in the cold all day - interviews, fooding, touring the facility, etc are all indoors. If they take you out on a walk around campus and/or the town, it's not going to be for couple of hours either. So, you'll be fine. Just make sure you wear full sleeved clothes and keep your hands in the pockets!

yes, for Applyyourself as I used it myself for few schools. also true for application systems designed by colleges themselves (3 of my 7 schools). and i think other application systems should also be flexible on this matter. because the schools dictate to these application systems to design personalized application systems, and because most schools are cool with allowing students to change LoR writers, getting LoRs late, etc, this should be a pretty common feature in all application systems.

great depression

I guess it depends on what field you are. I'm in science and in our field, the students are the ones who do most of the research work. The professors mostly come up with an idea and let the students (undergrad or grad) think more about the idea, work on it, develop it and finally publish it if worthy. Therefore the students publish as the primary or secondary authors. They are very helpful, and are ready to go to all lengths and through all hurdles to publish the paper. If a student comes up with an idea and is able to convince that the project will be publication worthy at the end, the professors won't have a problem with it. They are always open to ideas, creativity and of course, any kind of publication-worthy-stuff. Taking undergrad and grad students to conferences, seminars (on dept money) is also quite common, and this is a great opportunity to get to know veteran as well as budding scientists in the field. It's sad to hear about your friend. I don't think that it is very common though. Any advisor not only wants his/her students to excel, but also wants to show to the board of directors that he/she is making progress in both teaching and research. Hope things will ultimately turn out well for him.