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Felixjuggler

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    Somewhere in Italy
  • Application Season
    2015 Fall

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  1. So I will just post other questions I have in mind and see how much patience people have to answer (well maybe this thread will be useful to other people I hope). Question is: Contract or prepaid mobile phone? I would say prepaid because in my country almost every person use prepaid options and used to refill before the month ends, so I would not bother refilling especially if it is possible to do it online. Another thing that confuses me is calling and receiving calls. Here most prepaid plans allow calling numbers of other providers without charges for a number of minutes (because it is stated in the prepaid plan). In the US let's suppose I go with T-mobile, what happens if I call with my prepaid plan a person that has an AT&T number??? Or another example, what happens if I call a landline number in the US? Thanks as always for the answers, even if probably you'd like to beat me for having so much questions :D:D
  2. Well here the interest rate is applied only with a revolving option credit card (that let you pay the credit card use in installments), but if the credit card is issued without a revolving option, the sum is paid in one solution with no interest applied. Of course I would take the no interest option because I don't need in that moment to defray the costs, but to have a bridge to have funds ready in the US account. @fuzzylogician yeah I found another credit union which works with the university and they said I have to do a paper application and mail it to them. In your experience after opening the account online did you receive the debit card for ATMs by postal service since you were not in the US yet?? Or you had to get it from the branch after arriving in the US?
  3. Yep that's probably the advantages of being North American . A prior visit would cost me a lot primarily for the plane! Another solution I was thinking is if I could use a credit card (talked to my home bank and they said obviously that circuits like visa and mastecard work all over the world) to deposit immediately funds on the US account that is to be opened. With that I should be able to readly deposit funds for the lease. I know that landlords have to impose a security deposit for safety, but that sucks anyway
  4. Well, a credit union just replied to my inquiry telling me that they cannot open an account without an ITIN. Strange, also because it would be impossible to get an ITIN without a physical address, and a physical address (i.e. renting an apartment) would be very difficult to get without a US bank account! All starts from that and it has to be opened on day one, that's for sure!
  5. As this will be the first time I ever go overseas, I began frantically searching for the basic information an international phd student should know to plan the departure. But information bring up questions so I'll just ask a couple of them to start: First, I will probably obtain a J-1 status and this means I will be able to enter the US 30 days before my program starts. Is it a good idea to come early? I am inclined to think it is since it would help adapting to the new environment. I was thinking of arriving 20 days before the program starts but then what should be the first thing to do at the arrival? I suppose opening a bank account will be one of the first things to do and then check housing opportunities in person. All great but this will have to be done with personal savings in the first month or two and so I am worried if this could result in a rejection of a leasing application for rent (at that moment I would not have an SSN or ITIN for example). Any thoughts on the first steps to take? Or someone who has already gone through these first steps may share some info??
  6. Got accepted by Northwestern University DGP yesterday!!! It was a long journey to admission and as an international student it will certainly be an amazing experience!! First of my family to get an higher degree in the USA, I really hope to do the best I can!! It is a good program either for funding and research options so I can't be more happier!! Now, the bureaucracy time begins, as well as adapting to a new country! Hope you all get in your favourite school, hard work always pays back!
  7. Just finished the interview, mixed feelings about it. One very difficult question was: you come from applied research (referring also to my degree in biotechnology), why now basic research? Found a little difficult to elaborate. The mixed feelings are based on the fact that I don't think I was able to say all the things I wanted because I am not so good at spoken english (on the toefl my worst score was on that part), so I don't really know if I made a good impression. A rejection after interview would be soooooo disappointing! Apart from that did you send thank you e mails??? I am wondering if I should add something more in them...
  8. Thanks all for sharing your thoughts they are very helpful indeed!! However I sent a confirmation with my choice for the interview date to the program 4 days ago, but I did not get a reply yet. Maybe they are just busy but I will probably send another email tomorrow, I don't think there was any problem with my email account I tested it. These are the kind of things that freak me out!!!
  9. Yeah I believe you are right, the only problem is I don't have the names of the interviewers and I politely asked for them, I think it's a legit question if someone wants to be prepared for the interview!
  10. Dear all, After more than a month of waiting I got the first interview offer from Northwestern University (DGP life sciences program). I am an international student so this will really be a completely new experience for me (never attended a whole interview in english, should I be worried for minor errors in my speaking?). How should I prepare? Are these interviews rigid and formal, tough from the scientific perspective? (I have 6 publications so I expect massive amounts of questions about them). I come from a small relatively unknown institution so I wonder if this could be a problem. Of course the interview will be done with Skype and they gave me 4 possible dates. Is it wise to take the last one in order to have more time to prepare? In the email they mention the interview will be with 2 faculty members and 1 or 2 program administrators, but they didn't mention their names. Again is it wise to ask who the interviewers will be in order to have a look at their work and refresh my memory? (I did my research before applying to search for a potential fit, but now some months have passed). Sorry for the wall of text, but when I read this email in my lab I litterally jumped from my chair! As it was an important moment for you, it is for me. Thanks for you answers, if I'll get any!!
  11. Hello all, I'm an international student applying for PhD in biomedical sciences. I took the GRE 3 times, in the first I screwed the quantitative section with V 159 Q 149 AW 3.5 and in the second and third attempts I got the same identical scores! V 157 Q 156 AW 4.0 I know that my scores are just average but shouldn't a field like mine be based more on research experience? I checked with the schools and they said they do not have a GRE minimum requirement so what to think? I really can't believe that 2 numbers on a race test can shadow almost 3 years of research experience, 4 publications, other projects in progress and papers in submission. Retaking the test again is out of question since time is almost up for applications and as I said, I can't believe other parts of my application cannot compensate an average GRE score.
  12. Ok let's share this strange answer from the Phd program (at least it seems strange to me). I asked if the program reached a decision about my application after 5 (Five!) months of waiting since submitting the application in november. After some days I got a reply saying "Our apologies for the long wait. Your email was forwarded to the program director. He will be in contact with you shortly". Now, I find it strange because I expect admission offices to send standard rejection to those denied. I don't know what to think, If it is a good sign or just a pre-rejection. But if it is a rejection, why would the program director bother personally with my email? Or maybe I'm just overthinking it. And it is not so good with a speech to give with my current mentor at a partner meeting abroad next week for a collaborative research project with people from at least 5 other universities. Need to focus!
  13. I just go on with work trying not to think too much about the decisions that will come. The good thing is I don't have to check the e-mail compulsively at least for the first 12-14 hours of the my day thanks to the different timezone.
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