lolololo55

Hi all! I've been accepted at 2 schools but I still haven't heard from my top one. They interviewed me 2 months ago and they didn't wait-list me or anything. I was there doing an intership last summer so I know everyone on the committee and they have always been really nice. I sent them an email 2 weeks ago asking if I still have some option or I should assume the rejection at this point. They never replied. As April 15th is getting closer, should I accept at my second choice and forget about it? You think is there any possibility of being accepted at my top school at this point? Really hate this situation.

Wow, thank you for the advice! It seems unanimous then. I will trust you guys!

Hi all, I am an international student and have two offers for a PhD in Life Sciences in the US. I do not have many criteria to decide as I have never been to any of those places. I need to make a decision this week and have no clue on what I am going to do. 1. Molecular Biology program at the University of Utah - $26,000/year + $1,000 starting allocation + 100% health insurance + no fees - 4 rotations - 120 faculty in 6 departments - Salt Lake City is perfect for skiing, hiking and other outdoor activities. - Well-organized housing by the university. It seems easy to find a place to stay. - Housing around $500 2. Purdue University Life Science program - $24,000/year + 80 % health insurance (I'd have to pay visa and semester fees as well). - 4 rotations -170 faculty in 27 departments (many areas of interests) - Lafayette is a small city with a lot of students and really close to Chicago (useful to fly back home). - Housing around $500 While Purdue seems (I don't really know) better in terms of research, UofU offers me a larger stipend and they have been much more helpful so far. Any suggestion? Does anyone know something about these universities? Thank you

Anyone going to SLC next fall?

One of my options too... I'm now making up my mind. I'm an international student so I haven't been to Purdue. Did you go there for the interviews or open campus days or something? I don't really know what to expect from (West) Lafayette...

I'm quite concerned about the taxes as an international student because I was in TN for an undergrad research internship and I paid 30% of taxes over the total of the scholarship. I hope it will be different in grad school. My two grad options are Utah and Indiana. Does anyone know how taxes work for international people in these states? I asked the coordinator in Utah and she sent me this: 'We do not withhold taxes from the stipend payments. Because International taxes vary depending on tax treaties between countries I would ask our Tax Services office, http://fbs.admin.utah.edu/tax-services/ , for advice and that office will also require you to schedule a meeting with them after you arrive to go over your specifics.' What does this mean????? Do I have to pay or not?

Hey, I will be starting my PhD in August and UofU is one of my options. Now I'm making my decision and housing and leisure are big points for me to consider. First, I am an international student, is it ok if I wait until early August to look for a place? I don't really feel like signing anything before visiting. Does anyone know if the housing in Downtown Commons offered by the university for grad students is decent? Then, how easy is to get to the campus without a car? I mean, I would prefer not to buy a car at the beginning and I'm wondering if there are areas well-connected by bus or whatever. I've been looking at craiglist and at the housing website of UofU but I don't see many offers for the fall semester yet. I would like to rent a studio on my own but don't mind sharing. I just don't want to be late. Second, you have talked about the weird alcohol laws and all these things. Is it that serious? I am kind of a party goer, I like going out and having beer with friends... Are there places to go out? Nice pubs or something like that? I know this is not a real concern, but I've never been to Utah and don't know what to expect. Thank you!

I am from Spain and will be probably attending to Purdue for their Life Science interdisciplinary program

Same concern here!

Thank you so much for the info! And, as I haven't made a decision yet, can I apply and then withdraw my application for the housing if I decide not to go there?

I've been looking at those places you are talking about and as an international student I don't really get how to apply for housing. Is necessary to do it now or can you just wait until you arrive there (in my case, in August)? Also, can I apply to 2-3 bedrooms appartments in order to share with roomates? If so, how can I look for roomates or people willing to share an appartment? Thank you! I'm lost

I got two offers, one from Purdue (PULSe) and another from the University of Utah (Molecular Biology program). As an international student, I don't have many criteria (appart from the stipend) to decide, as I've never been to any of those places and don't know much about housing, living in those cities, quality of research... Someone who has been/studied in any of them have some advide/suggestions? Someone got accepted in any of them? I can't make a decision!!!!