shinigamiasuka

An English language school meaning the language of instruction is in English, or a school at a natively English-speaking country? Usually, it would have to be the latter to waive you off of your TOEFL requirement. Most of these standardized tests need prior preparation to at least know how the test is and how it works, and to practice pacing. I wouldn't suggest sitting for it with zero preparation.

There isn't quite. I only applied (for MS only) to the universities I found my research interests (and location) match and got accepted to two of them: UMich and UIC. I wasn't keen on applying to too many places. Both of these are very different in terms of their ranking and selectivity (UIC was actually a safety school, along with KAUST in Saudi Arabia), and I don't have a stellar profile to impress any of UMich, Purdue, or OSU for a PhD; yet UMich took me in for Master's (and some others with GPAs lower than mine ).

If you have a uniqname, click on apply now on this site: http://www.housing.umich.edu/applications/single-graduateLook for the housing availability at different dates and choose the most appropriate. I got an email after they opened up housing contracts (it was on 4/6/2015), so then I booked myself a studio apartment in Northwood I for $875. It's going to be my first time there, so I wanted to be somewhere both safe and close to my department.

I'm not quite sure yet... I'll probably discuss this over with my future advisor before I decide. I do want a PhD at some point, but I just don't know yet if the situation is going to be right to continue right now after an MS, or after taking a break off of studies and getting some experience in the industry. However, I will be able complete the courses required to take a qual exam by the time I can apply for a PhD, so I guess it wouldn't be much of a problem in that way. And, I'll be taking the thesis-based track for which I'll need an advisor anyway. I actually sort of gave up and decided to just go and meet up with the professors after I arrive on campus in August; but after what you said, I'm going to try and initiate some discussion again some time later. Thanks again for all the advice and help.

Sleepyhead was right, professors are reluctant. I've tried emailing them and it's like they're completely ignoring me, except this one professor who replied--and quite positively, too. Unfortunately, however, he might not be able to fund me at the moment. That's okay, one semester's okay to manage. But yeah, like sleepyhead did, I'm meeting up and hopefully starting off research with him, and then continue throughout my stay--God-willing. One of my reasons for choosing grad studies at UMich is the research after all. Here's what he replied: "Thanks for the introduction. If you come to UMich, we can meet to discuss to see if there is any suitable project for you. I don't expect to have new research assistant positions due to the current funding situation." About MS to PhD transition, they have the steps for that here: https://www.eecs.umich.edu/eecs/graduate/ee/ee_How_to_transition_from_MS_to_PhD.html

^Are you sure that's legal to post?

This might answer your question: http://magoosh.com/gre/2012/new-ets-powerprep-ii-version-2-0-and-new-paper-based-practice-test-released/

1. If I'm not wrong, 150 is a ~50th percentile score, meaning the median average of all people who sat. Whether a university strictly exercises rejection below this score (or any other set score) varies from one university to another. Cut-offs may be more common in the higher ranking universities, especially so for PhD applicants. Usually, STEM fields require higher quant scores, whereas humanities fields require better verbal scores. Still, it varies quite a lot. As an engineering applicant, I've seen a lot of acceptances with verbal scores below 150, balanced out by excellent quant scores. How well they want your AWA score, too, differs between fields and universities. e.g. Philosophy programs may have a 4.5 cut-off. I've once come across a person applying for PhD in Pharmacy who said he needed a 5.0 to apply. Additionally, I've noticed that universities are a bit lax around the verbal and AWA scores of international applicants. For a better idea of whether a particular university has such cut-off or not, see if they have average GRE scores on their website; know that these are the scores that they recommend you to have. You could also search for results of the program of the university you're applying and see the accepted and rejected stats for a better idea of the kind of GRE scores they take in. Remember, other points of your application count as well. 2. I'm going to back to the previous point and ask you to check if the program has taken in applicants with quant scores similar to yours. Doesn't sound like you're from a STEM field that a low quant score's going to pull you down. Us engineers usually get high quant and low verbal scores and it works. But...still do a results search for your program and confirm. Also look for programs that do take since you can't retake right now. Hope that helped.

I'm thinking of getting a Surface 3 (not Surface Pro 3) for portable class/campus use and a desktop in my apartment (I don't like using laptops all the time...). The main reason I'm opting for a Surface 3 is that it's a 2-in-1. I've been used to using our 10.1" Galaxy Tab 2, and it's very convenient for ebook reading purposes (especially the college books I pirated...shhh don't tell anyone ). In that case I should just get a normal Android tablet, right? I thought of that too, but with a 2-in-1, I get a tablet and a PC that I can use on campus whenever needed. So why do I need a desktop? Of course it's because the Surface 3 isn't powerful enough for everything, so I'm going to keep it for light use only. Why not a Surface Pro 3 then? 1. It's too expensive. 2. While it could replace the desktop I'm planning to buy, but like I said, I'm not that fond of using laptops all the time. The keyboard is way too close to the screen, the screen is too small, it gets hot, not enough display brightness control, etc. So...is it a wise decision?

Usually, universities won't directly tell you if they are "GRE-centric," but a lot of them do have cut-off scores with regards to GRE scores and GPAs. Looking up their average stats, and the scores of previously accepted students from gradcafe's results search, might give you some clue. Also, you could have a stellar resume and perfect GRE scores and still be rejected because of a flimsy SOP, so I suggest you work on that as well. Take a look at the SOP sub-form for some great advice! I'm saying this because it's something that's overlooked way too often, landing rejections to very qualified and capable applicants. And finally, take your deadlines into account and make sure everything is sent in and delivered before the said date! Good luck!

Questions: 1. Do you really have the time considering you're applying/have applied for Fall 2015 (or are you actually applying for a later term)? 2. Are you sure the department is going to accept updated scores beyond the deadline? If both of those answers are yes, I'd say you probably should because humanities programs require higher verbal and AWA scores.

You mean like electrical engineering or in physics? You have a lot of choices depending on your credentials and experience. UIUC, Purdue, Ohio State and UMich are good options. I'm only naming these 'cause I researched the ones around the Midwest. Well obviously there's UC Berkeley, Caltech, Stanford, and MIT among the topmost out there, but it depends on where you want to go, and where you think you're capable of going.

This might give you some insight: https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/academic_information/program_details/electrical_engineering_and_computer_science/#EEP Edit: Click on the program statistics tab.

It really depends on a lot of factors like your GPA (especially your major GPA), the strength of your LORs and your SOP, your work and/or research experience (or lack thereof), your TOEFL/IELTS score, and the kind of applicants they got this time around (especially in your sub-field). While it is safer to practice a bit more and retake, take into account how long you still have before the deadlines of potential universities. Remember, you're investing extra time and money on this. In case you've already applied and the deadlines have passed, contact your department if they allow you to send additional (updated) scores. Your scores aren't bad and a lot of people have been accepted with scores similar to yours. You'd definitely need better scores if you were applying for PhD, but for Master's, yours is pretty much enough. In my case, I hardly had enough time (one month, give or take) to prepare and got 152V/160Q/3.5AWA (my writing's gone pretty rusty) on my GRE and 110 (27R/27L/28S/28W) on my TOEFL iBT. While I honestly did expect to do better on my GRE (my powerprep scores were higher), these scores were enough to get me in. I had no time to practice further and retake, either. If you have time, invest it in: 1. a better/stronger SOP 2. some research/work experience in your field 3. practicing for the GRE and then retaking it when you know you're ready. Bonus: Network if you can. Contact professors and talk about your interests. They may or may not reply, though. Contact your undergrad professors in the field you want to be in, establish a friendly relationship, and ask them for advice and what's going on in the field nowadays.

Hey guys! New Wolverine here. I'll probably go with a single student studio for my first year despite the costs, and then move off-campus if I want to. Plus, I'm in engineering and the Northwood I apartments are really close to my department. If anyone living in Ann Arbor has any advice regarding my decision, please do share. Btw, have you guys seen the new Munger Apartments on Central Campus?

You're already 320+, that's a safe zone. I would suggest you get some work and/or research experience in the meantime to add to your resume. And start drafting a SOP; you'd want to make it a strong one.

Forgot my powerprep scores, but they were higher than what I ended up getting on the actual GRE.

Thanks again! Really appreciate your input. And since we're all hopefully going to the same place, let's hope we meet!

Pretty much the same here. Got accepted by University of Michigan a few days ago, and although it's my top choice, the fees are a lot. Thanks for the tip sleepyhead. Was the professor your research/thesis advisor and of your area of interest? Also, should I contact any of the professors I'm interested in working with right now?