[2016 EE PhD Applicant Profiles and Admission Results]

Hi, 

I thought I should contribute since I got immensely helped from this site for a long time. 

EE major interested broadly in circuit design and design automation tools.

Undergrad Institution: Top Engineering School in Japan
Major(s): EE
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 3.9+
Overall GPA: 3.9+
Position in Class: top 2% 

Type of Student: Asian Male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 166 (92%)
V: 160 (85%)
W: 4.5 (80%)

TOEFL Total: 114 
Research Experience: I have done my bachelor and master's thesis in electronics. My major research work is my ongoing master's thesis, where I have designed some circuit. The current work would become a paper unless it is a company project. I have also participated in several other projects, where my contribution isn't so profound. 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:

IEE academic award (Japan), Monbukagakusho Scholarship

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

TA for experiment relevant to my research focus, TA for two other non-related courses, Two short term internships in good Japanese companies but irrelevant to my research interest.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: 

Special Bonus Points: I am an international student in Japan with a prestigious scholarship. 

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: One recommendation letter from an influential  figure in my field, two other strong letters from known researchers
Applying to Where:
All PhD

UCLA - EE - Circuits and Embedded Systems

UMich - EECS - Integrated Circuits and VLSI

CMU- ECE - Circuit design for Cyber Physical Systems

UT Austin - ECE - Integrated Circuits and Systems

University of Southern California (USC) - EE -  Integrated Circuits and Systems

UCSD - ECE - Electronic Circuits and Systems

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - ECE - VLSI and Circuits

Until now I have been interviewed by professors from UCLA, UMN and USC. I have received official admission from the UMN and unofficial one from the USC. The UCLA interview didn't go well and I am not too hopeful about getting in.  

I didn't hear back anything from the other 4 schools . I have been regularly checking the result thread and the forums. It seems that those who got first round offer from UMich, CMU, UT Austin and UCSD have been either already interviewed and/or offered admission. Is there still light of hope or should I give up and consider only the available options? I have sent emails to several profs of these schools, but could not get in touch with faculty of these schools. Also, will you recommend to try again to contact a professor at this stage? In previous years, I have seen some admits in UCSD and UT Austin in March, although I don't know whether that's the norm or they are calling from the waitlist. I would appreciate your thoughts and inputs.