attackonthedoctor

No money

1) Now, especially since you're uncertain about your GRE scores for Quantitative section. I recommend the Manhattan prep materials for GRE. They've been shown to be the closest to the GRE. 2) It depends on the program, but most programs do. I would run on the assumption that a GRE is required for a US PhD and plan accordingly. 3) Again, it depends on how well you learned the material before and how much effort you put in to study.

It could be possible that they gave you the wrong email address, by having a typo or the student doesn't use it often. So you're perfectly in the right to ask, especially since it's your money you're using.

"GPA 3.6/4 for MS. 5 journals, including two IEEE Transactions, 5 IEEE conferences, 3 excellent LOR. What the fucking else they want????" Um, a good fit? "So stupid program! Even they accept you, you will have no funding as a non-EU student. Anyway, I got Ivy's offer so that's fine" Then why did you apply? And not necessarily a rejection but it does have me amused: "An update on your application: ...The committee is still in the process of reviewing applications and making decisions." Translation: "Stop calling us. We'll call you."

North West

It's good to hear another positive reassurance. Thanks, Edge! UPDATE: We had talked over the phone this week and it was a productive conversation. The program and research seem to be a good fit for me and it makes me more affirmed in considering that program as my top choice. The interview/recruitment weekend is the last hurdle to overcome before a final decision can be determined. Thank you all for the input and positive vibes!

Have you talked with the potential employer? Is it possible to have your internship after graduation or must you be a current student to accept the position? If you have and you need to be student to take the internship, I say go for it. Otherwise, I would try to finish the Master's then take the internship. Who knows, if they really want you, that internship could turn into a full-time employment position. Just my own thoughts.

under water

All of my classmates were going for industry jobs, aside from myself and a couple others. Even my professors didn't understand why I'm going for PhD in my field. (None of them are BMEs). I had a classmate condescendingly tell me that I "can't hold off reality forever." Um, PhD is no joke and I've considered this as a possibility since freshman year of college. I worked in industry for a bit and wasn't a huge fan of the other career paths.

Star Lord

Well, I'm certainly not a jerk by default, so hopefully I don't come off as one during that weekend. I tend to get anxiety really bad if I don't check myself. It's good to hear that current students are just as excited to meet prospective students too! Thanks for the reassurance! Different perspectives are always good. It gives a bigger picture of the program and makes it real. I'm glad to hear that you're sharing your own experiences with prospectives like me. If accepted, this would be the first time I would be leaving my hometown/area for longer than 5 months and actually move out of the area. It's a bit daunting but exciting at the same time! Thank you for your input!

Mario party

Well, that's even more encouraging that I should make sure to use the opportunity to learn more and give a good impression. Thanks!

This. Just this. Then there are the people who drink from a straw and you hear them trying forever to drink what is already gone. One of my former professors actually kicked a student out of class because it was so disruptive.

Haha, sorry but I'm just an American. Good luck to you both though! The admissions process is more harsh for international students than domestic students.

His PI (and now my POI) asked if he could reach out to me. Otherwise, I would've contacted the program about it. This would be my first interview for the graduate application process. He's a senior student so I was more shocked that he would even have the time! I'll definitely ask for verification with the POI, just to be safe. I also accepted the graduate program's invitation for their recruitment/interview weekend later on this month so it's been rather interesting.

I hope so! While the lab isn't exactly what I was looking for in regards of research, I'm willing to work with them if it's the right fit. I'm the type to output my best on any biomedical research topic, as long as the people I work with are awesome! :-) Thanks for the input!

Hello All: A current graduate student from my top choice recently reached out to me to talk about his experience in the program and his lab group, and how I may fit into that culture. I have already scheduled a time to talk and I'm planning to treat as a two-way interview. However, I was wondering if this is a normal practice or is it usually the POI that does this? Thanks!

It depends on the program's admissions process, but it is normal. I had a professor do the same, but the department is rather small so I sort of expected it. As for certainty of admission, I wouldn't know at this stage in the process for you. One of my programs admits candidates into the graduate school first by faculty members forwarding your application to the graduate school staff. Then the department you applied to will make the final decision to either accept or reject you. Other programs give you the final decision after prolonged silence from your application submission. It's all rather subjective. Good luck!

Hunger Games

I was just as shocked. I went to a rather pricy, small liberal arts college so I was even more horrified by how much debt they are taking on for such a venture.

I never will forget the cold shudder and utter horror that I experienced when I overheard this: Girl 1: "...I'm only in college to find a good husband." Girl 2: "Me too! Who needs a degree when I can have a man provide for me?"

My back plan is going on a work holiday for a year, then reapply next year.