NonparametricBananas

Hello, I'm wondering if a fellow Canadian pursuing grad school in the US might be able to offer some insight here. I will be applying for OSAP for the coming academic year as I have been for the last 6 years (4 undergrad, 2 master's). Whenever there has been an issue of any sort, I've been directed to the financial aid office of my university at the time. Considering both of the schools I have attended were Canadian and also located in Ontario, they were directly connected to the National Student Loan Service Centre and could resolve issues directly. This August, I am due to move to the US for my PhD. If something does come up (i.e. income change, loan overpayment requiring repayment, etc.), am I to contact the financial aid office at the university I will be attending?? I've asked my financial aid office at my current university, but they said they'd look into it for me since they didn't have an immediate answer. Thank you!

Yes! My cosupervisor got back to me and said that the grad secretary would be composing a letter for me ASAP. I sent it in just yesterday for evaluation. Hoping it's quick. Have you emailed your program coordinator?

Hello! I was just accepted by NCSU into the zoology PhD program on Apr 16. The notice came with a request to complete the financial responsibility form .... by May 1. My cosupervisors have said that I will be getting a TAship with tuition waiver and according to the values they've quoted for me so far, it should cover the required minimum for the F-1 (edit: or J-1?? I have no idea which one I will be needing -- will read more on this soon) visa. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten any literature or notice with this information on it yet. Does anyone have any advice on what to do considering the tight timeline?

Zoology!

Yay! Got final confirmation from my two cosupers that the official offer letter is coming in the next few weeks! Got into NCSU Zoology PhD

Is it strange that I've heard/seen absolutely nothing from UIUC?

Still nothing from UIUC on their PEEC program. Sending in my NCSU application soon though. The wait is brutal.

I've heard that before as well -- one of the POIs I applied to work with mentioned that when she sits on adcomms, they pretty much look at GPA and GRE as minor formalities just to say that you can read and write and the rest is focused on research experience and the like. I hope that is true of the programs I've applied to and will be applying to!

Thank you for the great response! I believe I have a solid application on account of a robust research and teaching history, as well as what appear to be strong LoRs (according to the profs who wrote them) and a strong statement as well. GRE scores aren't great but they're not bad -- I'd say they're average-good. I hope that and hugely identical research interests with my POI will help push me forward.

Hi everyone -- I was just skimming over some admissions requirements for a few applications that are due in the coming weeks and was wondering about the value of an advanced degree vs an undergrad degree. I'm currently working on my master's (research-based with some coursework). The GPA requirements or "we usually accept people with GPA of 3.x and above" don't detail anything on the value of a graduate degree as opposed to the undergrad degree. My cumulative GPA for my undergrad isn't as strong as I'd like and thankfully, many schools consider only the last two years, but I just wanted to figure out how my master's will play into my application re: grades. Thanks!

Woo! Shared anxiety! No worries -- we're all in this together!

Still nothing from UIUC .........

I wish UIUC would send me something nice! Haven't received anything since submitting my application and telling my POI that it was in.

I only have one application out at the moment as my remaining others are either due March or have rolling admission -- I applied for general EEB programs in behavioural endocrinology research groups. Fingers crossed! This reminds me of when I applied for my M.Sc.. The wait then was just as bad. I suppose it's better this time around in that I know I have a better chance because of networking and experience and whatnot. Spreading the good vibes and luck all around!

Congrats! I agree with shadowclaw. The uncertainty is brutal!

So strange though. Absolutely no mention of the Illinois PEEC program in results this year save one person's rejection.

This makes me feel a bit better! The department I applied to typically has their interview sessions first to second week of Feb but nothing seems to have come out yet ... at least from what I can tell on GradCafe.

Has anyone heard anything from UIUC regarding their PEEC program yet? Results have yielded nothing except one individual's rejection this year.

Anyone hear from UIUC for PEEC yet?