Vene

I can't imagine it being anything but pre-tax considering that the amount of tax deducted depends on factors such as marital status and number of dependents.

From what I've seen, as a general rule engineering degrees command a higher wage and companies work harder to recruit them.

My two cents. Fully funded is generally the way to go. UIUC is a good school with a good reputation.

Better Indiana Jones than Jurassic Park.

Here's a few questions to ask yourself. * How much debt can you expect to be in with a degree from UVM (including any debt you have from undergrad)? Can you reasonably pay this off with a typical job in the field? * How comfortable are you with the fully funded offer? Do you think that you can succeed in that program? Generally, the rule of thumb is to only accept a funded offer. But, ultimately, the decision is up to you and your priorities.

Isn't that the truth. I may be sitting on one acceptance, but dammit, I like the program and I'm in so I have zero regrets about the process.

There's likely no one reason why they said no. The slighly low toelf score is probably a factor, especially paired with a subpar verbal GRE score may make them debate if your language skills are actually sufficient. If you pair this with a set of applicants where your other stats don't make you stand out, it's just bad luck on your part. That said, those 3 waitlists are far from rejections, so you've still got a shot.

Considering that landlords kind of want to know your income, it's one of those details you're gonna need.

I really, really don't think there is a real difference between the second ranked school, the fifth ranked school, or even the top fifteenth in terms of quality of education, connections, or job prospects. But, being able to live with your spouse is a huge deal. Withou the family factor, I'd suggest #2, but I'd personally believe that the extra $30k of debt may be worth living with who I love.

I'm curious. You say Ivy, but give no reason. Why is it that when you were accepted at both Princeton and Penn that you're attending CMU instead?

If you have ADD (or something similar) it very much is worth the time to find out. Even if you are done with tests, knowing you have such a disorder means that it can be treated and it certainly effects other areas of your life. I have a friend in grad school with ADD, and the medication she is on is incredibly helpful for maintaining concentration and focus.

I'd be really tempted to go for the one with the better stipend. But, if the two different programs have comparable rank, I'm not sure the Ivy prestige will mean much since the non-Ivy will also have a great deal. This is especially true if the Ivy in question isn't Harvard or Yale (or if it's the one which is regularly confused with a certain state university in Pennsylvania). So, if it is a case where both programs are good fits for you and places where you can see yourself succeeding, I'd go with more money. Otherwise, go to where you think you'll be most successful in life (which is NOT always the same as being successful as a student).

Can you get your supervisor from your internship to write you a letter? It sounds at least somewhat relevant and if it's combined with two letters from academics shouldn't be detract. Also, for the research you did for the professor, did you work with a post-doc? They may be able to write you a LOR as well. It also may not be the worst idea to look at both PhD programs as well as MS programs. With your grades showing an upward trend you may be able to get into a "better" PhD program if you put more distance from your undergrad performance than if you enter immediately into a PhD.

Dear Dr. Person, After careful thought I have decided to accept your offer to attend University of State's Department's graduate program. I look forward to this fall. Sincerely, Me

The unoffical scores they gave me were the same as the official ones. It just took time for them to process everything.

Budget very carefully, it's easy to go over when you have to wait several weeks for your next paycheck.

Considering that many people in the sciences go right from BS to PhD without ever earning a masters, I doubt it matters overly much.

Funny, out here we have a few fortune 500 engineering companies and they prefer PhD over BS engineers. They get paid quite well too, of course.

A university has absolutely no power over your visa status. If they wanted to be malicious, the most they can reasonably do is spead that you're unreliable and untrustworthy through word of mouth. Depending on the size of the field, the reputation of the university, and your desire to stay in academia, it may or may not be harmful. Something else you could potentially try is to pressure the UK university to fast track your funding decision. But, I really have no knowledge of their education system and if such a thing can even happen.

This thread makes me so ridiculously glad to live in a different state than the rest of my family. There are some real jerks out there.

Branch out to Pitt. If UMN is your home institution, it's going to look better on a CV to have a PhD from a different school. It also does sound like you legitimately like that program more. As long as the fellowship doesn't give you a completely different standard of living, I'm really thinking Pitt is the way to go.

I'd accept and be certain that the program I accepted has everything taken care of to be certain that I'm going there. Then, and only then, would I bother with declining.

I would not be surprised if some of the attitude was from NYU being a private university and Rutgers being a public one. Also, throw in a little bit of attitude about how NY is a better state than NJ for flavor.

It is a lot easier, but undergrad also felt a lot easier than when I was doing industrial R&D. You're far, far more capable now than you were when you started your freshman year. If you look back, honestly look back, at what you could do during your first semester of college, it's a joke compared to what you are can do today. Grad school is difficult, no question, but it's not an impossible task.

I think it's easier when a program expects you to do rotations, but you definitely still need to connect with a professor or two.