Marst

I agree with the people above. If you want any helpful replies, you might want to consider giving some more information, such as: - What was/is your undergrad major? - What do you want to pursue for postgrad? - Where are you willing to relocate to? - How much many are you able/willing to spend on postgrad? - Why do you consider both masters and PhD? This is especially relevant if you consider going outside the States for postgrad.

Do I understand it correctly that you want to apply for spring admissions because you think those will be less competitive?

I am surprised that people are actually being treated differently for looking young. That's ridiculous. I had a couple of inquiries after my age because I look pretty young, but fortunately no one ever treated me any differently for it.

You can ask, although I think the chances are slim. It sounds as though you are probably better off reapplying to places where you have a shot at full funding (= including a stipend for living expenses) for masters.

To be honest, it was the default option for me. The more advanced and unknown the material has gotten throughout my academic career, the more excited I have become. I knew I wanted to pursue at least a PhD, and had no good reason to take time out. Therefore, I simply went ahead. I did do a masters before going into PhD, though.

Apply for a funded terminal masters. Most masters are unfunded by default, but many offer some funding for exceptional candidates. Since you are aiming for low-ranked programs anyway, you might as well apply for one where you are at the top of the applicant pool so you have a shot at funding. The funding would look good on your CV too.

I draw a lot of diagrams in my notes that I would love to save those my computer without the ugly greyish backgrounds. I have seen people use an app that allows them to take a picture of their notes, and that automatically detects the actual text/diagrams and cuts out all the background noise. Thus, I am not looking for an OCR app, but an app that traces the text and saves it cleanly. Any ideas on what this app may be? I have an Android phone, btw.

For now, finishing my last exams ever (hopefully!) and then work on my master thesis until September. I will have a week off between defending my thesis and starting the new program. Actually two, if you count the orientation and partying.

Also, you may as well be your POI's first choice. Not all departments ensure that each POI gets a student. Mine, for instance, ranks candidates and admits the top candidates. It may happen that one POI get multiple students while another POI does not get any. If I were you, I would not 'blame' the POI for you being waitlisted.

To be honest, the fields you are referring to are so diverse that there is not one university "the best" in all of them. Even within one of those fields, there are probably different universities the best in different subfields. Also, there is very likely to be a different between education (undergrad or grad level) and research output. In any case, I think that Cambridge is arguably the best place to get a maths education. Especially part III, the masters, is known to be top-notch. Also, Princeton seems to be good for maths. I don't think any of the other fields you mention have such a definite stand-out. As far as I know, IIT is the best Indian university. It is one of the few universities in India from which Cambridge accepts BSc holders to proceed to masters. From most Indian universities, a masters is required to proceed to a Cambridge masters. I never heard IIT being called the best uni in the world. It sure seems to be fine, but I doubt it is objectively the best in any of the fields you mention. If there even exists such a thing.

Wow, that's tough love without the love part. Great when adults star behaving like kids. I am sorry you had to go through that.

It really depends on the standards the university sets. If you want to get a rough idea, in 2006 7.2% of graduates would have a 3rd class degree. Thus, a 2:2 corresponds to scoring at least in the 8 percentile of your year, if you don't mind the handful of people only getting a pass. It is likely that the university has higher standards for internationals, though. By the way, a 1st is not difficult to achieve. About 15% of graduates have one. It is, however, much easier in some disciplines (e.g. maths) than in others (e.g. law).

I am alright now, thanks. I am just scared of the next episode. Probably can't postpone talking to the disability services for much longer. But then again, it's not as if there is anything they can do.

Maybe because that is usually something you don't find out until you visit and talk to people in person?

It is day 4 of excruciating pain. It will pass. It always passes, so that is what I hold on to. All I have been able to think is how much I want to kill myself. I really need someone to talk to, but there is nothing to be done, no one to help, so it seems so pointless to bother someone with. I could not avoid telling one teacher, but other than that I have been keeping on appearances, somehow.

You don't need a connection to contact potential supervisors before applying. You can just send them an email and get in touch with them. In some fields and universities it is uncommon to apply without contacting potential supervisors, so it is quite possible that this has hurt some of your applications. Do check the results search to see whether others have heard from these programs, because they may simply be some of the slower ones in processing applications.

How terrified I can be of having time to (and no excuses not to) work.

I was studying for two degrees (we don't have the major system here), but I was one year ahead in one program compared to the other. Eventually I dropped out one of them because of conflicting attendance requirements. Had I continued both, I would have had to stay at that institution for grad school, still in undergrad for one program and in grad school for the other. In hindsight, these conflicting attendance requirements were the best thing that could possibly have happened to me!

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling that way. I am sure that your loved ones would appreciate you reaching out if only they were not feeling so down at that moment. I am more or less like your partner and sister in dealing with negative feelings, but that does not mean I do not appreciate people reaching out and recognizing what I am going through. It just means that I appreciate it even more if people would give me a break after recognizing it. There is no reason for either of you to feel bad about this. You could tell them you recognize something is wrong, and that they should let you know if there is anything you can do to help (or something similar). That's your share of the deal. Now, by not bugging them or forcing your company onto them, you let them have their share. Letting people take their distance, is not the same as being pushed away. It only becomes being pushed away after you keep bugging them.

This depends more on the program than on whether you were accepted off a waitlist or not.

How little I knew about the process when applying for a masters, and still got in.

I have got this one 'friend' who keeps posting pictures of herself and other people's kids. I suppose she is a nanny, but I think it's plain weird. Had she been a guy, she would have been reported a billion times already, but because she is a girl it must be cute or something?

It was definitely a factor for me in deciding where to go for masters. I went for a place with many international students, a close-knit living community and a very lifely student town. I am rather introverted, so the more 'natural' socializing the better. It has worked out perfectly so far. It is very easy to meet people at the department, my building, but also in lots of societies. I could not wish for a more sociable place. I am staying for a PhD at my current institution and was very happy to learn that as soon as I got accepted my supervisor involved me in the research group and its social activities, even though I will not start for another six months.