scottdickson86

Haha. I can relate on this one. I think work gets in the way of checking emails more frequently.

So what types of weird responses did you get from your POIs when you inquired about admissions (through email or Skype interviews)? And what do you think do these specific responses mean? I got these through email: "You've got my attention. I look forward to reviewing your applications." "I won't accept you without providing you funding." --> my thoughts: too early to tell Through Skype: "Well, I'm going to decide next week so I need one more thing from you: have your manager send me a LOR..." "I can tell that you're smart and have an excellent attitude so whatever happens between now and Monday, I know that your excellent attitude will get you somewhere." --> my thoughts: what?? should I be worried? Both from the same POI over the course of two months.

I think Skype has become a standard medium for interviews. There's no reason to feel wary about requesting for it. I think you can also cite your reasons, which to me appear very valid. A lot of students simply cannot afford to travel. If/When your request gets granted, you can always make great impressions on the virtual interview - dress up appropriately, prepare for the possible questions, practice how you're going to answer some of the most common questions like "why do you want to pursue this research/program?"

Haha. I've never heard English being compared to an Orc's sound before. That's funny. My POI will make his final decision on Monday or Tuesday Eastern Time so that's very very close. I'll let you know for sure. I woke up at 4 AM today and haven't gone back to bed. I've been checking mails and notifications. The power habit I guess haha.

Haha. Yeah. I think he meant that my speech sounds slurred in French or something like that. Is English rough? I grew up speaking it at home so I would not know if it's that hard for people who had to learn it when they're older. My main motivation for learning French other than possibly moving to Montreal is French food, and maybe French cinema. Subtitles give me headache. Merci mon Cher! And I will keep you posted.

Good coffee sounds nice. A french press would be a good idea too.

Cuff links, tie bar, envelope opener, leather binder.

Haha. I have a French friend who (I'm sure was just being polite) said that girls are going to like my accent. On the other hand, I have another friend from work who said that I sounded like I'm having a stroke. I only applied at McGill! I hope I really get it! Good luck to you too!

Haha. July is crazy. I would've already given up hope if it took that long!

I got interviewed this week and was told that the final decision will come out Monday or Tuesday next week. Sleep is definitely eluding me.

Same here! One university. I'm so anxious.

Feeble attempts at French, which seems to be an allergen to my tongue.

Not before for me but after. I already put my POI's name in the application form's "preferred supervisor" section before I made an attempt to contact him through email.

I typed my letter to my POI on Word and copied it to Mac's Mail client. When I checked my Sent folder to reread what I wrote, all the formatting is gone. The "new lines" disappeared and the letter just looks like one very long paragraph. I resent the email explaining what happened. Luckily, my POI responded to the second letter and asked about my GPA. Whew!

Finished a Skype interview with POI from McGill yesterday. He asked me for an additional letter of recommendation from my manager. He said the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is pressuring them to make decisions Monday or Tuesday next week. Man.....

I think it's too early to hear any definitive decisions from any university at this point. I wouldn't worry about it. I wasn't aware of her work before you brought it up but wow. Her poems are so raw they make you feel alive. I particularly like the melancholic feel of Who Needs Us?: "Who needs the footprints of us,/ the glimpse of us in a corridor of stars". I'll forward her work to some friends. Haha. Thanks!

I'm not sure if it applies to all department. But just an update, I got an email from my potential supervisor today inviting me for an interview over Skype so I guess they really are already going through the applications. By the way, I notice that you listed NC State in your signature. A friend of mine toured me around the campus a while back. It was great and the everyone was very friendly. The people I know who graduated from NC State are very witty.

Hi all, I applied at McGill, Electrical Engineering, Masters. Still waiting too. I've been corresponding with a potential supervisor and he said that they are reviewing applications on the "later part of January" which means it should already be going on.