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eklavya

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  1. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from chem_degree in What would Chuck Norris do?   
    screw the quant section. your 'mohr' there suggests that you need to be memorizing some vocabs dude.
  2. Downvote
    eklavya reacted to twenty-twelve in 1430, Retake GRE for PhD Apps?   
    Just took the GREs. I'm aiming for PS PhD programs in the top 20, ideally Berkeley.

    Wound up with a 710 V, 720 Q.

    I've read that generally testtakers score slightly higher overall when they take the GREs a second time. But I don't want to risk scoring lower and have that be to my detriment (although it looks like some programs (Yale) just take the highest section scores so there wouldn't be much of a risk with those schools).

    Other background:
    BA from top 40 ranked national LAC.
    3.9 major gpa in PS; 3.7 cum. gpa.
    (possible red flags two C's in art courses)

    Would it increase my odds of getting in if I were able to raise my score overall by say 50 points? I might be able to raise it by 80-100 points, but realistically if I take it again I only have a month to study since the new revised test is going to replace the current one. Would scoring over 50 points higher help balance out my low(er) cumulative gpa?
  3. Downvote
    eklavya reacted to rising_star in First Time Car Buyer   
    My first thought is don't buy a car. Does the city where you're moving have ZipCar, Hertz Connect, or other car-sharing programs? If so, go with that. It will save your hundreds a year in maintenance, insurance, and registration costs. This makes even more sense if you won't use a car every single day (and, since you say you won't need it to get to class, that seems quite likely).

    I second the CarMax recommendation if you're not comfortable with cars. They make it very, very easy to buy a used car. I also agree that you should get a CarFax report regardless of where you buy your car.

    You'll want to read used car reviews on edmunds.com and from Consumer Reports to get a sense of what cars are a good value to buy used and which will generally be nothing but trouble. From there, you have to check Blue Book values to see what you want that's in your price range. I recommend that you start doing the research part now, so you can get a handle on what a fair price for things where you'll be living is. Oh, and find a good mechanic that's willing to check out the car for you. It may cost $50-75 up front but can save you from buying a complete lemon.

    FWIW, it took me over six months to buy the car I have now but, a lot of that is because I am very picky and knew exactly what I wanted in terms of make, model, mileage, and features. Being flexible can help you buy something more quickly.
  4. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from waddle in Recommendations for Wristwatches?   
    i think you and i are distant twins - i was thinking of this EXACT thing this afternoon! i was browsing the net for some watches, and stumbled into a few nice looking ones. your and my taste might be different, but the following watches are worth taking a look:

    the one that fits your budget: http://www.amazon.com/Freestyle-FS81280-Karlton-Bracelet-Watch/dp/B0026RIRXC/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I32BMOA0FW5CDO&colid=3FG9Z4MVQEKJ4

    close to your budget: http://www.amazon.com/Fossil-JR9990-Brown-Leather-Watch/dp/B0024M88II/ref=sr_1_37?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1307249114&sr=1-37

    slightly expensive, but my first choice: http://www.amazon.com/PU102421004-Traffic-Silver-Black-Watch/dp/B004XD0IQQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2NF5XF50PI58K&colid=3FG9Z4MVQEKJ4

    there are several features in a watch that you might want to have, but i highly recommend getting one that is luminous in the dark - either the arms or the whole dial that glows (with or without the use of a button). leather straps are better than plastic/synthetic straps.

    because i have been watch-free for about 10 years, i think i'd like to start off with a good one - mainly for the feel good reason. i don't plan to spend over $100, but if i can't find a better looking watch, the puma is what i am going after in a few weeks.
  5. Upvote
    eklavya reacted to eklavya in Forum Stats for Mar' 11   
    oh my!
  6. Upvote
    eklavya reacted to London-Tokyo in Application Fee   
    I know it sounds horrible...But eh, sometimes I wish the pool of applicants this year are less fortunate (read poor) and more intellectually inept (read dumb)
    But, $225 & $415---It's really high...What if I'm just a student without a job you know?
  7. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from psycholinguist in Google maps obsession   
    wouldn't define myself as an addict, but i've basically looked at every single street possible within 2 mile radius of my apt and campus building. by deductive reasoning, seemed like the wisest thing to do in a city of unknowns. now every time i open google maps, it feels the buildings and parked cars are saying 'hi' to me.
  8. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from pomodoro in Anyone Else's Boss NOT letting You Quit the Job?   
    tomorrow morning, walk up to her, call quits, hand over your resignation letter and leave. hire a mover (or ask your bro or someone) to collect your stuff from the office. done!
  9. Downvote
    eklavya got a reaction from barber5 in Forum Stats for Mar' 11   
    oh my!
  10. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from rising_star in Housing for Newbies   
    i say do a temporary stay thing till you lock on a place. go a couple weeks ahead if possible and couch-surf till you find a place. finding a nice place with nice people is a serious business, so take caution and don't sign a long term lease till you are 101% sure about the place and your house/apt-mates.
  11. Downvote
    eklavya reacted to gradcafegirl in ok, Who got in with low GRE scores?   
    I got in with a combined 1300, both scores in the 600s. writing score = 5. verbal was high, quant was low for my field. I had a high major gpa but a mediocre cumulative gpa.
  12. Downvote
    eklavya reacted to Joel418 in ok, Who got in with low GRE scores?   
    I got in with mediocre+ scores (720Q, 670V, 4.0AW). What you need know is:

    a) does the program only admit applicants they can fund?
    does your program's funding come from a university-wide competition between the departments?

    If the answer is yes to both questions, you will need excellent GRE scores (depending on the institution, 1400-1600 combined scores with an AW score 5.0 or above)

    Best of luck!

    Joel
  13. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from Sherlocked2013 in What would Chuck Norris do?   
    please change this to: 'that one gave me a chuck norrissle'. you should be aware that Chuck Norris doesn't like his name being truncated!
  14. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from Brisingamen in What would Chuck Norris do?   
    Can't believe we don't have a thread dedicated to Chuck Norris!! No wonder life is boring as hell during the waiting period! (Why? Cuz Chuck Norris ain't here to keep us company, y'all!!)

    Anyhoo, the obvious question to ponder about, while I/we are stuck in this limbo, is, how would Chuck Norris go through the application and admission process?

    1. Chuck Norris doesn't fill out the application forms. He stares at them till they finish up and pay after themselves.
    2. Personal statement of Chuck Norris: "Me".
    3. Chuck Norris never accepts offers made by any schools because he is tired of being the only smart dawg on campus.
    5. If Chuck Norris doesn't get accepted, he simply calls up the admission office and says "No".
    6. Chuck Norris got rejected at all schools he applied to. But the adcomms haven't gathered the courage to break the news to him.
    7. While on a campus visit, the graduate student who was supposed to pick Chuck Norris up from the airport didn't show up. Enraged, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked the whole city and dropped it far away in the ocean. People say that's how the Liliput came to be.
    8. There are no PoIs for Chuck Norris. There is only CNoI for the POIs.
    9. When asked what his career goals are, Chuck Norris answered "To be Chuck Norris".
    10. Chuck Norris didn't get into any Eco/Evo program because no professors was willing to buy the idea that the mass extinction of dinosaurs was due to chuck norrisaurus and no meteor.
    11. Chuck Norris was instantly hired by the math program because he could divide by zero.
    12. Chuck Norris doesn't wait during the whole application process. He goes back to the future and gets his degree.
    13. Chuck Norris was let go from the immunology program. Not because he caught the diseases, but because he crushed them with his bare hands after catching them.
    14. Chuck Norris once possessed satan. To investigate how, the religion program was created.
    15. When applying for physical fitness programs, Chuck Norris was asked how many push ups he could do. He answered "All of them".
    16. Chuck Norris was invited for recruiting weekend because, well, Chuck Norris needed to recruit workers.
    17. Chuck Norris was once called to the Dean's office because the Dean was in trouble.
    18. There is no 'Middle Name' form field in the applications given to Chuck Norris to fill out. Because the schools are smart enough to know that nothing should come between Chuck Norris.
    19. Chuck Norris doesn't contact PoIs. He pokes them in facebook.
    20. PoIs don't poke back Chuck Norris on facebook. Who in their right mind would finger Chuck Norris?
  15. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from Sherlocked2013 in What would Chuck Norris do?   
    Can't believe we don't have a thread dedicated to Chuck Norris!! No wonder life is boring as hell during the waiting period! (Why? Cuz Chuck Norris ain't here to keep us company, y'all!!)

    Anyhoo, the obvious question to ponder about, while I/we are stuck in this limbo, is, how would Chuck Norris go through the application and admission process?

    1. Chuck Norris doesn't fill out the application forms. He stares at them till they finish up and pay after themselves.
    2. Personal statement of Chuck Norris: "Me".
    3. Chuck Norris never accepts offers made by any schools because he is tired of being the only smart dawg on campus.
    5. If Chuck Norris doesn't get accepted, he simply calls up the admission office and says "No".
    6. Chuck Norris got rejected at all schools he applied to. But the adcomms haven't gathered the courage to break the news to him.
    7. While on a campus visit, the graduate student who was supposed to pick Chuck Norris up from the airport didn't show up. Enraged, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked the whole city and dropped it far away in the ocean. People say that's how the Liliput came to be.
    8. There are no PoIs for Chuck Norris. There is only CNoI for the POIs.
    9. When asked what his career goals are, Chuck Norris answered "To be Chuck Norris".
    10. Chuck Norris didn't get into any Eco/Evo program because no professors was willing to buy the idea that the mass extinction of dinosaurs was due to chuck norrisaurus and no meteor.
    11. Chuck Norris was instantly hired by the math program because he could divide by zero.
    12. Chuck Norris doesn't wait during the whole application process. He goes back to the future and gets his degree.
    13. Chuck Norris was let go from the immunology program. Not because he caught the diseases, but because he crushed them with his bare hands after catching them.
    14. Chuck Norris once possessed satan. To investigate how, the religion program was created.
    15. When applying for physical fitness programs, Chuck Norris was asked how many push ups he could do. He answered "All of them".
    16. Chuck Norris was invited for recruiting weekend because, well, Chuck Norris needed to recruit workers.
    17. Chuck Norris was once called to the Dean's office because the Dean was in trouble.
    18. There is no 'Middle Name' form field in the applications given to Chuck Norris to fill out. Because the schools are smart enough to know that nothing should come between Chuck Norris.
    19. Chuck Norris doesn't contact PoIs. He pokes them in facebook.
    20. PoIs don't poke back Chuck Norris on facebook. Who in their right mind would finger Chuck Norris?
  16. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from Cryolite in University of Houston REVOKED OFFER AFTER I HAD MOVED   
    what a misfortune! i really feel for you. those people should be ashamed for their downgrading and inhumane act. is the department not willing to settle this by negotiations? i mean, it's clearly their fault that this tragedy has happened! i hope things can be worked out here. but if things don't look, i still hope you will be able to pick pieces up and move on. but man, what a terrible thing to have happened!

    on another thought, probably getting a lawyer and suing them is the next best move.
  17. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from tannerboy in Forum Stats for Mar' 11   
    oh my!
  18. Downvote
    eklavya got a reaction from ChemodanLave in Forum Stats for Mar' 11   
    oh my!
  19. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from OH YEAH in Forum Stats for Mar' 11   
    oh my!
  20. Downvote
    eklavya got a reaction from zphxmfyxekng in Forum Stats for Mar' 11   
    oh my!
  21. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from theatrehippie in Belonging to an ethnic minority   
    my $0.02

    growing up (in our country), we are never taught to identify people by their race, because we are a multiethnic and not multiracial nation. people living in the south are darker (more resemblance to indian people), people living in the north are fairer (more resemblance to tibetan people) and those like me who are from the midddle part, we are fair. but compared to a white skin, we all are brown. so, there is no distinction based on one's race. whenever we see tourists back home (who are predominantly white), we ask them where they're from, and then call them by their nationality. therefore, needless to say, i never went through any of the experiences relating to my race until i came to the US.

    here in the US, it's different. i saw people of several races, several cultures and several mindsets. although i wasn't taught to shield off any act of racism back home, i knew/still know that i will be treated as a different race/minority here. however, thankfully, i haven't been treated differently because of my skin. i am sure there are people who don't like me because of my skin/ethnicity/culture, but those haven't crossed my path yet. i have dated women of all skins, and many nationalities, and they haven't cared at all what my skin color is. my cohort and professors do not treat me different either. if anything, because of my hardwork and the effort i put in, they highly value my work ethics and intelligence. so, in my opinion, it all depends on your surroundings. i have spent all these five years in a university, living in a university town, did internships with very bright group of scientists, and so on. as long as people around you/us are educated and think rationally, skin/race/culture becomes the least important element in relationship between you/us and them. so, i never had to protect myself from any racial treatments, as i haven't been through any. but inside, i always keep trying to as good as, and even better than, people around me. not because i was treated different, but with the fear of being treated different. for example, my spoken english was horrible when i came here. i practiced, roomed with native speakers and after a couple of years, picked up everything i could, and finally lost my native accent. i don't know if talking/clothing/living like the locals do has helped me, but it sure has boosted my confidence in terms of social interactions.

    like Tired above, i too take pride on my skin, culture and language skills. no matter where i go, i am asked where i am from, and i am glad to tell them that i live next to the Himalayas. although there have been some incidents (mainly in the buses, grocer stores, etc) where people come to me and start talking in hindi, spanish (mistaken for a latin american) or some weird east-european language. but i don't take these too seriously. those people are naive (and some ignorant) as they think i am one of them. most of these incidents however produce laughter afterward once they know the reality - and provide me great opportunities to socialize further.

    as long as you are among people who share the same level of knowledge and intelligence as you do, i don't think you should be self-injecting yourself with all the doubts. i don't know how it is in your field, but in almost all fields of science, people aren't deprecated based on their skin color. of course, there are stereotypical classifications (such as the famous 'asian people good in math' conviction), but i don't think they are invented and passed on to humiliate the minority. if the inferiority complex creeps in, try to think of your rich culture and heritage, and all that you have compared to others. in our culture, we have a saying that goes something along the line of 'if you raise doubts, and leave it unchecked, it will eat you up, regardless of what the reality is'. please don't let this happen to you.

    lastly, if anyone offends you, please choose not to be offended. there's a huge difference between being offended and choosing not to be. live happy!
  22. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from Herbie in Belonging to an ethnic minority   
    my $0.02

    growing up (in our country), we are never taught to identify people by their race, because we are a multiethnic and not multiracial nation. people living in the south are darker (more resemblance to indian people), people living in the north are fairer (more resemblance to tibetan people) and those like me who are from the midddle part, we are fair. but compared to a white skin, we all are brown. so, there is no distinction based on one's race. whenever we see tourists back home (who are predominantly white), we ask them where they're from, and then call them by their nationality. therefore, needless to say, i never went through any of the experiences relating to my race until i came to the US.

    here in the US, it's different. i saw people of several races, several cultures and several mindsets. although i wasn't taught to shield off any act of racism back home, i knew/still know that i will be treated as a different race/minority here. however, thankfully, i haven't been treated differently because of my skin. i am sure there are people who don't like me because of my skin/ethnicity/culture, but those haven't crossed my path yet. i have dated women of all skins, and many nationalities, and they haven't cared at all what my skin color is. my cohort and professors do not treat me different either. if anything, because of my hardwork and the effort i put in, they highly value my work ethics and intelligence. so, in my opinion, it all depends on your surroundings. i have spent all these five years in a university, living in a university town, did internships with very bright group of scientists, and so on. as long as people around you/us are educated and think rationally, skin/race/culture becomes the least important element in relationship between you/us and them. so, i never had to protect myself from any racial treatments, as i haven't been through any. but inside, i always keep trying to as good as, and even better than, people around me. not because i was treated different, but with the fear of being treated different. for example, my spoken english was horrible when i came here. i practiced, roomed with native speakers and after a couple of years, picked up everything i could, and finally lost my native accent. i don't know if talking/clothing/living like the locals do has helped me, but it sure has boosted my confidence in terms of social interactions.

    like Tired above, i too take pride on my skin, culture and language skills. no matter where i go, i am asked where i am from, and i am glad to tell them that i live next to the Himalayas. although there have been some incidents (mainly in the buses, grocer stores, etc) where people come to me and start talking in hindi, spanish (mistaken for a latin american) or some weird east-european language. but i don't take these too seriously. those people are naive (and some ignorant) as they think i am one of them. most of these incidents however produce laughter afterward once they know the reality - and provide me great opportunities to socialize further.

    as long as you are among people who share the same level of knowledge and intelligence as you do, i don't think you should be self-injecting yourself with all the doubts. i don't know how it is in your field, but in almost all fields of science, people aren't deprecated based on their skin color. of course, there are stereotypical classifications (such as the famous 'asian people good in math' conviction), but i don't think they are invented and passed on to humiliate the minority. if the inferiority complex creeps in, try to think of your rich culture and heritage, and all that you have compared to others. in our culture, we have a saying that goes something along the line of 'if you raise doubts, and leave it unchecked, it will eat you up, regardless of what the reality is'. please don't let this happen to you.

    lastly, if anyone offends you, please choose not to be offended. there's a huge difference between being offended and choosing not to be. live happy!
  23. Downvote
    eklavya got a reaction from drumms9980 in Belonging to an ethnic minority   
    my $0.02

    growing up (in our country), we are never taught to identify people by their race, because we are a multiethnic and not multiracial nation. people living in the south are darker (more resemblance to indian people), people living in the north are fairer (more resemblance to tibetan people) and those like me who are from the midddle part, we are fair. but compared to a white skin, we all are brown. so, there is no distinction based on one's race. whenever we see tourists back home (who are predominantly white), we ask them where they're from, and then call them by their nationality. therefore, needless to say, i never went through any of the experiences relating to my race until i came to the US.

    here in the US, it's different. i saw people of several races, several cultures and several mindsets. although i wasn't taught to shield off any act of racism back home, i knew/still know that i will be treated as a different race/minority here. however, thankfully, i haven't been treated differently because of my skin. i am sure there are people who don't like me because of my skin/ethnicity/culture, but those haven't crossed my path yet. i have dated women of all skins, and many nationalities, and they haven't cared at all what my skin color is. my cohort and professors do not treat me different either. if anything, because of my hardwork and the effort i put in, they highly value my work ethics and intelligence. so, in my opinion, it all depends on your surroundings. i have spent all these five years in a university, living in a university town, did internships with very bright group of scientists, and so on. as long as people around you/us are educated and think rationally, skin/race/culture becomes the least important element in relationship between you/us and them. so, i never had to protect myself from any racial treatments, as i haven't been through any. but inside, i always keep trying to as good as, and even better than, people around me. not because i was treated different, but with the fear of being treated different. for example, my spoken english was horrible when i came here. i practiced, roomed with native speakers and after a couple of years, picked up everything i could, and finally lost my native accent. i don't know if talking/clothing/living like the locals do has helped me, but it sure has boosted my confidence in terms of social interactions.

    like Tired above, i too take pride on my skin, culture and language skills. no matter where i go, i am asked where i am from, and i am glad to tell them that i live next to the Himalayas. although there have been some incidents (mainly in the buses, grocer stores, etc) where people come to me and start talking in hindi, spanish (mistaken for a latin american) or some weird east-european language. but i don't take these too seriously. those people are naive (and some ignorant) as they think i am one of them. most of these incidents however produce laughter afterward once they know the reality - and provide me great opportunities to socialize further.

    as long as you are among people who share the same level of knowledge and intelligence as you do, i don't think you should be self-injecting yourself with all the doubts. i don't know how it is in your field, but in almost all fields of science, people aren't deprecated based on their skin color. of course, there are stereotypical classifications (such as the famous 'asian people good in math' conviction), but i don't think they are invented and passed on to humiliate the minority. if the inferiority complex creeps in, try to think of your rich culture and heritage, and all that you have compared to others. in our culture, we have a saying that goes something along the line of 'if you raise doubts, and leave it unchecked, it will eat you up, regardless of what the reality is'. please don't let this happen to you.

    lastly, if anyone offends you, please choose not to be offended. there's a huge difference between being offended and choosing not to be. live happy!
  24. Upvote
    eklavya got a reaction from MSW hopeful in Anger, anyone?   
    I am! Angry as hell! Wish I could pay Bruce Banner to 'hulk smash' some classroom windows & street lamps at these fricking schools that have eloped with my application money!

    On that note, have you guys seen that 'it's my money, & i want it now!!' commercial? yeah.. my feelings exactly!
  25. Downvote
    eklavya reacted to IvyT in How many days off do u get as a PhD student?   
    Hi everyone, as I am making my decision I realized that the numbers of days off in PhD really matter to me. I am an international student, in addition I cannot go on for a year without backpacking somewhere. So basically I need at least three to four weeks of holidays (incl. bank holidays) per year.

    I know that PTon officially only gives out 19 days (incl. bank holidays) per year (One of the Engin departments), and I really cannot deal with this fact. So I will really appreciate any answers on the numbers of holidays you get as a PhD student, for the following schools:

    Princeton, Berkeley, CMU, Cornell, GaTech, Columbia, UC Davis

    I will especially appreciate answers from Engin people, since that's what I am going into.

    Thanks!
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