[WPI - Robotics PhD anyone?]

Is it kind of new program in WPI? I know that WPI has masters in Robotics, but didn't know that now WPI has PhD in Robotics as well. =)

[Anyone else waiting for funding decisions?]

I got an official letter of acceptance but didn't get funds. =( Still hoping to get funds!

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

cute dog

[Sending your scores: when do you have to decide?]

You can choose universities after you get V and Q scores in testing center.

[Professor says I should make an email account in his name and upload my own LOR; he will confirm it if asked]

The need to create the thread because I needed information. I asked about the probability of universities finding out about this because I'm curious as to how universities detect such practices. Also, if someone else is thinking of doing something similar or has been similarly misled by a professor, I believe this post would help. When your professor tells you 'you can do it this way', you are inclined to think 'Hey! Maybe I can do it this way'. However, it was a fleeting thought, and the posts here were really helpful.

 

Notice how other users told me it was wrong as well, but also contributed in some way. You, on the other hand, accused me of duping the system, without really understanding my position, and contributed zilch so far. Now I'm sure you're the epitome of morality in your life, but please do not be so sententious. 

there are some basic things how they can figure out if you use not-real email. Firstly, the same IP-address (you submitted your application and LORS from the same place), Secondly, the same device...Together the same IP and device make it completely clear that you are cheating. And surely writing style.

I don't think that it's gonna be a huge problem if professors use not university accounts, but some universities clearly state that you have to use university email. It's just kind of luck and university's policy.

 

If any other applicants are following this topic, under no circumstance should you consider this an option.- Sure, agree completely.

[2015 Applicant Profiles and Results]

Undergrad Institution: Average Engineering School in Russia (Bachelor of Engineering + Master of Engineering)
Major(s): Marine and Ocean Engineering ( kind of electronics and control systems in Navy)
Minor(s): N/A
GPA in Major: BEng 3.49/4.0, MEng.4.0/4.0
Overall GPA: BEng 3.5/4.0, MEng.4.0/4.0
Length of Degree: BEng (4 years), MEng (2 years)
Position in Class: Don't have this thing in Russian Education
Type of Student: Domestic with international background (US resident), White female (I guess I'm considered as European)

GRE Scores:
Q:161(80%)
V:143 (18%) - completely failed =(
W:3.5 (38%)

TOEFL Total:92

Research Experience: 2 years while I was pursuing MEng, in Robotics field. 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Have a couple awards for presentations (like the best presentation, finalist in one competition)

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: I have 4 years experience in Russian Navy as Control Systems Engineer. Some internships during my education in marine navigation. Some weird jobs in US like administrator.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: more than 10 publications about a cute robot; 3 additional publications about software while I was working. A lot of presentations about my robot. All publications and presentations were made in Russia. I plan to start taking classes in UW from January in EE (already accepted) - I mentioned it in my SOP, might be helpful...

I'm interested in Biorobotics, Robotics, Controls, Automation, VLSI, digital electronics.
Applying for  [ PhD ] at:
 

University of Washington (EE-biorobotics) - decision/date/funding

Carnegie Mellon (ME - biorobotics)- decision/date/funding

UC Davis (EE)- decision/date/funding

UC Irvine (EE)- decision/date/funding

Tufts (EE)- decision/date/funding
Northeastern university (EE+ME in both departments)- decision/date/funding
Oregon State (EE+ME in both departments)- decision/date/funding
RPI (EE- robotics, automation and control, VLSI)- decision/date/funding

Washington State (EE)- decision/date/funding

Portland State University (EE)- decision/date/funding
University of Nebraska (ME - still thinking about this school)- decision/date/funding
University of Nevada (EE - still thinking about this school)- decision/date/funding

[Practice GRE scores vs. real GRE scores]

Most time I prepared for Q section, because need a good score on it. + Not native speaker.
Took first time GRE in february 2014 - V144Q152 =( sad result
Manhattan test 1Q 150
Manhattan test 2 Q 152
Manhattan test 3 Q 154
Magoosh predictor - 154-158
ETS first test Q 155
Second GRE in may 2014 - V141 Q159! failed in verbal completely because got three verbal sections.
Manhattan test 4 Q158
Manhattan test 5 Q 157
ETS second Q158
Magoosh predictor 156-160 - started to solve problems for second time and re-watch some videos for second and even thirds time.
Manhattan test 6 Q 160
Third GRE test in november 2014 - V143Q161
This test is required a lot of studying of short-cuts and developing math intuition. Basic rules for preparation are: 1) be honest with yourself! Don't put anything in answer on practice tests if you don't know how to solve this problem, 2) re-read all explanation not only for problems that you did wrong but also for problems that you did right! Because you might solve it wrongly and still get a right answer. You also can get some useful short-cuts how to solve quickly problems in explanation.

[Scores not improving]

First, you need to recognize what kind of mistakes do you make. Is it just because you don't pay enough attention or because you don't know some basic concept in math? After you can understand your particular mistakes, you could figure out how to improve your score. If you make mistakes just because of not paying attention - it's easiest type of mistakes that you can improve. (Read more carefully questions, check your solution twice). If you are missing some basic concept in math, buy school books (like for kids) and start to study from zero. It helped me to improve my math. Hopefully, it will help you too.
Sorry for mistakes in english, it's not my native language.

[Extremely low GRE, I am devastated, I am even crying, should I give up my application?]

1) You can retake the GRE test. Even ETS states that the second attempt is usually better than the first one.
2) You can apply on  low-ranked schools too, usually they have low score requirenments or even don't have any score cut-offs.
3) This hapens with me too, I took GRE class and was good at math (I'm engineering major) in this class, however it made my math score average, because tutors teach only average math, not advanced one. You have to study a lot by yourself, not rely on classes and teachers.