AfricanScholar

Do you mind I ask, what time exactly did you receive the transcript request? And what's your field of study?

Hi bbdd2 I am also a Nigerian. I also got full funding for my PhD. My 1-20 is at hand and I am set to go ahead with my visa interview. I understand your worries but don't panic if you have secured funding from the school I believe the visa interview will go well. Check this thread on Nairaland for success stories. By the way which school are you attending? http://www.nairaland.com/240241/general-u.s.a-student-visa-enquiries/9 http://www.nairaland.com/823866/general-u.s.a-student-visa-enquiries-part2/1

Hi, As part of the preparation for my first year of graduate school, I recently came across the book of Robert L. Peters on Amazon titled 'Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning A Master's or Ph.D'. I read the introductory part of the book and I discovered that it is a must read for prospective graduate students. However, It will be difficult for me to purchase the book at the moment due to some stringent financial constraints. For those who have read the book or have a PDF copy of the book, can you please assist me by forwarding the book to my e-mail (REDACTED). Thanks in advance

On February 17th, I was awarded a five-year graduate scholarship which covers an annual stipend of $21,000 and a full tuition waiver of $41,560. I received the admission package on February 23rd with an instruction to submit a copy of my international passport and other documents which I sent on February 25th. I was patiently waiting for the I-20 form when I suddenly received an email from the international office informing me that they have received financial documents of $62,560 (stipend and full tuition waiver) but they need a proof of financial support of $1261 because the total fee of my program is $63,821. I am preparing to use the bank statements and affidavit of support of my mother as proof of financial support of $1261. I want to know whether the proof of scholarship and bank statements of my mother which covers the total amount of my program is sufficient as financial documents or will I be asked to produce more financial documents at the embassy during my visa interview.

The issue has been resolved. OISS have once again prove why Rice university is the best place for me. I envisage that my experience at Rice will definitely be like leaving my home to another home. Love Rice.

I will like to inquire from the international students attending Rice if they have received the I-20 Form. I have submitted the Rice scholarship letter and other documents required by the OISS, but I am yet to receive the I-20 form. Right now, I am about to enter a panic mood because the peak period for booking visa interview is fast approaching in my country and I am concerned about attending the mandatory international graduate student orientation. I called the OISS but their reply is not satisfactory at all and my department told me to be patient which is what I currently doing. Any idea about the timeframe for the collection of I-20 form for Rice University?

Yes, I will be attending Rice this fall. I will like to inquire from the international students attending Rice if they have received the I-20 Form. I have submitted the Rice scholarship letter and other documents required by the OISS, but I am yet to receive the I-20 form. Right now, I am about to enter a panic mood because the peak period for booking visa interview is fast approaching in my country and I am concerned about attending the mandatory international graduate student orientation. I called the OISS but their reply is not satisfactory at all and my department told me to be patient which is what I currently doing. Any idea about the timeframe for the collection of I-20 form for Rice University?

Hello, I will like to inquire about the timeframe for schools to issue 1-20 forms for their admitted international students. I received my admission package on 23rd February and I replied the offer of admission on 27th February. However, I am yet to receive the 1-20 which I must have at hand before applying for the FI Visa. Any info on this will be greatly appreciated

So finally I am IN. I am celebrating today like my birthday and all my referees have been pouring in congratulatory messages into my mail. The journey was so long, so tough and so rough, but I am happy I finally saw light at the end of the tunnel.

This is exactly what I came to realize but to my surprise I only called twice. The first time I called I was not too clear about the info I received so I tried the second day, but I was surprised when the woman recognized my voice. These graduate applications have taught me many lessons that will stick in my memory forever.

Are there any updates for the prospective applicants for FALL 2015? I am beginning to run crazy in refreshing my mail and even calling the secretary whom I am surprised have also recognized my voice. This waiting period has exhausted me. Any info will be appreciated by me.

So today I summoned the courage to call my POI to inquire from him not the admission result, but the exact time I should be expecting a message about my application from the department. Before now I have developed a very good relationship with my POI and I was convinced of his interest to work with me. When I introduced myself on the phone, he was so happy to hear from me and he started by asking me of how far I am moving with my research which I responded positively. We discussed some recent developments in my country before I proceeded with my questions. Firstly, I told him I am aware that he has previously informed me that only the dean can inform me of the final outcome of my application, but I asked him if he is aware of the timeframe when applicants should expect their results from the dean. He responded by telling me that he will inquire from the department and email me with a response. Secondly, I asked him whether or not the department take into consideration the need for applicants to have either an undergraduate or masters degree in the field before they apply for the Ph.D. He responded that what is most important is that a prospective applicant should have a good and novel research project with a POI who is very interested to work with him or her. I proceeded with discussion about some of the recent steps I took to pursue my research and he commended me for my initiative and also offer some very good advice. He told me he would have loved for us to keep discussing, but he has a class to attend. However, he promise to get back to me via email about the exact date the department will inform the applicants. We laughed in the course of our discussion and he advised me to always stay safe. Although I pray to be admitted to the graduate program and I am becoming more optimistic by the day, however, should in case I do not make it I will always love and appreciate my POI. Despite the fact that I have never met in person, the support and mentorship I received from him has contributed greatly to my career and academic research. Just when I was about to post this message, I received am email from my POI that applicants will get their results in a week. NOW THE WAITING GAME CONTINUES WITH DREAMS AND ANXIETIES!!!!!!!

I am also very interested in this topic. My situation is similar to the situation of Jezzlin. I had been in contact with my POI for One Year and Three Months before I officially submitted an application. Throughout our period of communication, my POI was very supportive and he showed a lot of interest in my research. He got me in touch with other professors, shared my articles with them and even went further to apply for an external fellowship on my behalf. After I submitted my application, I communicated with him and he assured me that he will try his best with the support of other professors to get me in but he told me he is not sure what other faculty members will do. He also emphasized the fact that he is not ethically permitted to tell me the outcome of the application only the official word of the department can do so. Now I am super anxious for many reasons: (a) I did not score super grades in my GRE, but my POI told me that I will be fine and he assured me to proceed with the application ( My POI informed me that selection is January 21 after the January 15 deadline for submission of application © I only applied to one school (d) After I submitted my application, I emailed my POI about the recent developments in my area of specialization and he replied excellently, but I was unable to read meaning of either ACCEPTANCE or REJECTION from his reply (e) I called the departmental coordinator with an anonymous number and she replied that those applicants shortlisted will receive an email from next week up to the end of February while others will receive an email (possible an email of rejection) by April (f) Now I am constantly refreshing my emails, dreaming and confuse about whether or not I should contact my POI again because this waiting period has almost consumed me

Thank you for the links I found them very useful. Thanks and good luck

Please can anybody inform me about the possible time frame when applicants will be informed of the admission results for the religious studies program at Rice University.

Well, I might be wrong in my assessment. Different thoughts are flowing through my brain until I receive that letter YES or NO but I pray it should be a YES.

I think most POI always maintain the ethics of their department by not informing the prospective graduate applicants the application results. This is the best thing to do although some prospective applicants like me might be eager to hear from the POI. Anyway, Good luck to all applicants

Yes you are right but the wait can sometimes exhaust once patience. Anyway I really wish you good luck as well. Thanks for the advice although I wasn't being greedy I am only anxious like all other graduate students.

I had been in contact with my POI for at least One Year and Three Months before I officially submitted my Ph.D application this fall. I had initially planned to apply last year, but ETS cancelled the GRE exam in my country. Throughout our period of communication, my POI has been very supportive in bringing me in as a graduate student. Not only did he shared my articles with another professor in the department in order to secure his support for my application but he also arranged to visit me in my country. After my GRE exam which was a little bit bad, I contacted my POI and he encouraged me to proceed with the application because according to him I have an excellent SOP and writing sample. He also told me he had not requested for a student for a number of years so he believe his request will be granted this time. Now I have submitted my application and my POI informed me that the selection will be made on Jan 21. In his email, he told me he will try his best with the support of the other professor to bring me in but he is not sure what the other faculty or senior professors will do. He also told me that whatever the outcome of the application turns out to be he his not ethically permitted to tell me only the official word of the department can do that. Four days after the day of the selection, I emailed him about some new developments in my area of research and he replied excellently. I was thinking I will be able to read meaning in his reply, but I couldn't. Now I am curious to know whether or not I am selected most especially because that is the only school I applied (the application fee is a constraint for me). Any thoughts will be appreciated