goahead

Ok, so I found this link and filled my details on the spreadsheet. It may be useful. You will have access to the details of other incoming students ti search a good fit. http://www.cogs.umn.edu/Roommate_finder.html

Thanks TakeruK! I will ask my school to send the new I20 with correct DOB. I need one more suggestion regarding appearance of name in the passport and Visa. My passport: First/Given name: Amit Kumar Surname: Name in I-20: First/given name: Amit Family name/surname: Kumar Will it create any problem during Visa interview/port of entry or should I ask my school to change my name details also? Passport officials made some mistake while entering my details.

Just now I received my I20 only to see the wrong DOB mentioned in that. My DOB is 2 June 1983 but mistakenly I entered 02-06-1983 (m/d/year) in my application..we have different system of writing birth dates.My mistake!! However, before preparing my I20, admissions office emailed me asking my correct DOB and I mailed them all details correctly. But still my dob is incorrect in I20 and worst part I paid around $50 to get it fast. What should I do now? Will they issue a new I20 or the current copy will work? I really do not want to pay another 50 bucks.

Hi, Can anyone give any idea about CTC, Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative housing for married grad students. How is that place to live with family? Also I will be based at St.Paul campus so how far is CTC from St.Paul campus?

Congrats FeministCorgi!! Which stream did you get in?

Thanks Rising_star. I know it will be difficult for them to pay more. best option will be to look for a job for my wife. Thanks for your suggestions.

Another concern for me is how to ask my adviser to increase stipend or provide other fellowship for which i can work extra hours citing my need to support wife and a kid. RA stipends are same for all incoming PhDs. First year funding is from college and rest of years will be supported by PIs funds. Will it be appropriate to discuss this with advisers (i have 2 advisers)?

Not sure right now. May be I shoukd ask the Program. Offer letter reads "Your initial stipend will be $23,500 plus a tuition waiver and healthcare benefits".

Thanks for the quick response. I am planning to move alone initially for few months and then probably get my wife n kid. In the mean time I plan to find s position for my wife. My aadviser has also assured me to help her get a postdoc/research position. Im an international applicant. Just worried ehat will be the take stipend so that i can plan better.

So I am offered 23500$ GRA with full tuition waiver and health benefits for PhD at UMN Minnesota. Please let me know what will be the approx take home monthly stipend after tax deductions at UMN. I will be moving with my wife and kid (2 yrs). My wife is also looking for a postdoc though.

Yesterday got an offer letter for PhD in Veterinary Medicine Fall 2015...excited

So I just finished my 3rd Skype interview for PhD in Veterinary Medicine. I think I did fine in the interviews. Is rejection a possibility after being interviewed thrice by different POIs and DGS? Just worried

Already had two skype interviews, one with DGS and another one with 2 faculties combined. I thought I did pretty good in the interviews. I sent the thank you email and one faculty suggested me to contact another Prof in the department for possible fit. Now the skype interview is scheduled with that Prof. for tomorrow. This process is really freaking me out. It feels awkward to concentrate on camera instead of screen to maintain eye contact with the interviewers. Now rejection after 3 interviews will definitely hurt...plz share your experiences

Thanks iphi...May be am thinking too much.

I have posted this in other thread also...Friend's just had my Skype interview. It went well. I was told that DGS and 1-2 faculty members Will be interviewing me but it turned out to be DGS only..he told that no other faculty was available today..how do you guys see this situation? Should I take it positively thinking they might have selected me already...or they might have rejected me and nobody bothered to take the interview....interview was just for 20min..DGS told me at the end that I did good in the interview...I'm nervous

Thanks everyone for your valuable advice...just had my Skype interview. It went well. I was told that DGS and 1-2 faculty members Will be interviewing me but it turned out to be DGS only..he told that no other faculty was available today..how do you guys see this situation? Should I take it positively thinking they might have selected me already...or they might have rejected me and nobody bothered to take the interview....interview was just for 20min..DGS told me at the end that I did good in the interview...I'm nervous

Thanks every one. I have prepared few questions to ask the Profs. about their research. I emailed the program assistant and she replied that she don't have names of the interviewers yet. Thanks nightfarmer...you are right, only thing I need is to look confident . Is is fine to contact current grad students for advice/help?

Just got an email to schedule a Skype interview with DGS and 1-2 faculty members....I am excited and nervous too. Not sure which faculty members will be interviewing. Is it OK to ask department about the probable interviewers (names), so that I can prepare better? Interview is scheduled on 19th Feb. Also, if anyone has any advice regarding Skype interview, i will appreciate.. Thanks!

Thank you so much. I think this is the best option. Let the committee decide first. I have clearly mentioned my research priorities in the SOP. Thanks!!

Hi All, I mentioned Prof X in my SOP though he never responded to my email. Not sure if he is going to recruit new PhD students this year. Came to know later that another Prof in the same department got a big grant and might support PhDs. My research matches with both of them. Not sure what to do now. Expecting a big No if Prof X is not recruiting. Will it be a good idea to email Program Director and let him know my research interests and my willingness to work with other Profs also. Really confused. please guide!!!