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I believe Columbia is done with interview invites. When I emailed 2 weeks ago, UPenn said their international invitations haven't been sent yet but hopefully determined within that week. I emailed again to ask a few days ago but received no reply - I suspect it should have already been done. International interviews for UPenn will be held 13th Feb - and it seems a little late by now if we haven't heard ):

Thanks guys that's helpful to know! I totally understand the point about international applicants with stats being close to being accepted anyway - funding really just levels the playing field by removing some of the financial strain. I was curious because I know of internationals with full funding covered for the whole of their PhDs (the cost of coverage flexible depending on grad school of choice) and decent stats who still struggle to get interviews at both public and private grad schools.

To those who heard from Columbia: did you guys have a skype pre-interview to determine if you should be invited to visit (particularly for internationals)? I was supposed to have one arranged during the fortnight that had just passed but it has been challenging to schedule. I am just wondering if anyone is facing the same problem of a delayed pre-interview. I am starting to get worried because the first interview weekend is approaching and the second is in 2 weeks - without a pre-interview soon I am concerned about not being able to visit.

I have a question out of curiosity: What happens with international students who already have external funding for PhDs? Is there a quota to the enrollment of international students beyond fiscal considerations? That is, assuming the universities can afford to take these international students or that these international students already have external funding, are still universities "taxed" (I don't know what's the right term for this) for admitting too many international students - Is there a state/federal-level quota enforced?

I am an international. I havent heard from Stanford either ): but have from UCSD and they asked to RSVP for the interview by this friday

Not sure if there are any international applicants here who applied for Penn's NGG... I emailed and was told that the committee has yet to decide on the international students to invite but probably will by this week and if so, the interview would be on the 13th of February(:

I think different schools do it differently - Hopkins for one sent the wave for internationals a week or two after. Sometimes they also assume skype interviews for internationals so they do it later (the email sent is usually different).

All the best and have loads of fun!!

I just did and I really hope they reply, they haven't been very responsive!

Hey guys, I know many have received Northwestern (NUIN) interview invitations earlier on and there has recently been a wave of rejections. Does anyone know what it means to not have heard from them - and whether it is worth waiting or is it rather unlikely to get off a wait-list? I am really hoping to finalize my travel plans soon!

Just heard from UCSD a while ago, thrilled! I also heard from MIT a week ago and their questionnaire says to RSVP before 25th Jan, it is possible they will send invites up till a while before that? UCSD's and MIT's visit days partially overlap, but thankfully not the interview days!

If I am not wrong, Google Scholar is the easiest way to get a prof's H-index (: (profs have google scholar profiles) Edit: yikes i take that back not all Profs have Google Scholar profiles. But for those who do its still a quick and easy check.

I won't go into answering your questions directly because it's a crazy load out to discuss, but you might be interested in this!: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2013/10/25/mind-meld-future-of-brain-to-brain-communication/#.VE0KaouUdWI

Yes most certainly. I have heard of cases with decisions actually reversed when schools become aware of funding. Lack of funding for internationals is a huge deterrent and if you're a compelling candidate, funding may be the only issue holding back your admission/interview. That said, often the people more interested in your funding are the potential supervisors (who will eventually have to pay for you in the lab) rather than the admissions committee - so I'd highly recommend you let both parties know (if you've already been in contact with POIs) as these potential supervisors may well advocate for you.

That also makes sense because it seems on the neurograd calendar that the recruitment days span 25th to 27th feb which is rather late so they can afford to send out interviews later as well