GeoMex

Hi. I'm not sure Columbia has an exploration focus. Most big Universities don't. Almost all exploration programs are in states where O&G industry exists. I'll be starting in UT this fall and besides Stanford, I think it's the best option. They have a good variety of courses in seismic interpretation, processing, and related courses which could be of interest, such as rock physics, reservoir geomechanics, geology courses (sedimentology, structural, etc), basin analysis, subsurface mapping and workstations, etc. Other good options are U. of Oklahoma, U. of Houston, CSM. The thing is as you said, in CSM they tend to focus more on processing, which can be really difficult, depending on your skills and what you like. Another thing to look for is faculty, some good universities or relatively good universities don't have enough faculty dedicated to seismic exploration. That's why I think both Stanford and UT are the best overall. You get to choose what you study and how focused you will be in it. You can get courses on each stage of seismic exploration, or specialized in interpretation, or imaging, etc. Check other Universities where O&G exploration is big and they should have good programs. Maybe it's not a good university but that specific department is good. Good luck

I did, this and last application season. For geological sciences at least, I remember something along the lines where it says you need to contact an adviser before applying, otherwise it might be difficult. For EER I don't know, but at first I was in contact with them and they were very nice and didn't mention anything of mentors.

Thank you. I applied for a MS. I just hope this year there isn't any problems like last year when I couldn't go

I was informed by POI of my recommendation for admission and acceptance by the admissions committee. Final approval by dean's office is left.

There´s a lot of jobs in the environmental part of the energy sector. But it seems as if you would like to be a petroleum geologist or something alike. If that´s the case, I don't think the courses offered for an environmental project would be very relevant. You could either take more courses or divide them so you learn the skills necessary, or you could continue normally and assist some workshops or labs independently.

My POI said he expected results to start coming out within two weeks, so I think there's still a chance

Yes, I was accepted last year, but had issues with my external funding then, which I won't have now, but now maybe they won't accept me FML

Well no, not really, just what I read here. And last year my notification came on February 9. And most of them came from mid-february to mid-march

Yeah, I suppose results will start showing more and more in the next 2 weeks to one month. But aso, I think there's less users this year than past years

Someone got into UT, I believe it's the same person that posted he had an interview back in january. Congratulations!

Since work loead is low I'm dividing my time with three courses to learn to program in python, I would actually like to take more on it and other languages but I can't handle them at the same time. I want to think it will come handy later

They didn't have it last year, so maybe they had trouble with that and want to save time with students applying for one

One time the coordinator of one of the programs I was interested in added me on linkedin, maybe they do check your profile just to see if there's more info there

Even with support I didn't got in, strange thing is I did got accepted into UT. Weird.

I read it in some thread here, they said there was around 700.

A coworker and I are applying for a scolarship here in Mexico, so we wouldn´t cost much or any to the professor, still he said to my coworker that he was a weak candidate, I´m assuming because of his scores on the GRE and TOEFL, but still, the guys has a masters and his thesis was on the subject the professor works with, his masters was in English, altough it was on France, so it´s not proper English, and the guy has around 10 years of experience. Anyway, sometimes it´s hard to understand .

UT Austin has a lot of applicants this year, is going to be though to enter. One of my coworkers applied late and has low scores so the PoI said he wasn´t as strong candidate as others, which I understand because of the scores but he has a masters in the subject the POI works and about 10 years of experience and would be going with a scolarship already, which I think are good things. I didn't get a no or a yes, just somehow neutral-positive responses

Well something more specific would be great, an almost every day would make me crazy

So far there's been 3 acceptances for geophysics, 2 for geological sciences and/or geosciences and 1 for geology and a couple of interviews mixed. Most of them from CalTech

There are a lot of great resources online and apps for your cellphone, all for free. And there are other great stuff that cost, but you can do most for free. Books are other thing that might help, I have a ton for the GRE and I will never use them again, hopefully. Good luck

Thank you

Is it really common for people to have interviews before their applications? Or discuss it thoroughly on email? I've never got even a "do you have any questions about this or that?" on email by any POI. I wonder what's all that about.

I was going to apply to Texas Tech but none of the seismology professors worked with seismic interpretation in oil industry, one worked with geothermal and I find that very interesting but I can't work with that. And from what I saw Lubbock seems a cool city, but my stay was very short.

Mostly I think it means that they want to improve their own rankings or data regarding what type of students they get, which would get them more or better students, etc. But if in your program you are a good fit for other reasons you might not get rejected. I have a not so good GPA, a decent GRE except on AWA, but I have work experience and a scolarship from my gov if accepted, so I might not be the best candidate but I won't cost them much, etc. Just my two cents

I guess not being able to move makes it really difficult. Hopefully this time will be better. Hang in there