shinigamiasuka

Yes, the standards and expectations are quite different.
 
From my limited knowledge:
There's an international pool, and there's a domestic pool of applications. In the international pool you have applicants from all kinds of universities, with different grading systems. The admissions office needs to sort out the top applications from among this, which is actually a lot of work. In engineering, it's usual for the average successful international applicant to have higher Q scores and lower V and AWA scores compared to the average domestic student. As for GPA, there's more to it than that; the reputation of your undergrad school in your country matters (may not always be the case, but a lot of time it does), so does your place/rank/percentile in your graduating class. For domestic applicants, they have a better idea of the undergrad schools and how well the students do, and how they compare to their university. And yes, the GPA (as far as I've seen) of the average successful domestic student is slightly lower than their international counterparts. Stress on "slightly" because the ones getting in with lower GPAs are very few in number compared to the higher ones.

I hope tomorrow is one of the good days  

Any sort of work/research/study you did as an EE graduate (or still undergrad) working in/studying about the petroleum field that made you decide on getting a graduate/professional degree in petroleum engineering, I guess?

Your new scores are awesome. Hopefully you'll do just fine. Also--in case this was the error in your apps the last time--talk more about your research and current research interests on your SOP, and highlight them on your CV/resume.
If applicable: Try to weave in how your current work experience will help you as a future researcher on the SOP.
Unrelated: You're working as a software engineer? Isn't that more of a CSE work? That's cool though. I have an old friend who's also an EE graduate working as a software engineer for Visa at SF.

You have a terrific profile. Aim for the top 20 unis based on your research interests.

Since you're talking about top 10% vs Rank 1 (I'm assuming this is something specific? It's not a common delineation in US schools), the second candidate will be far better. 
But that's because you're comparing 3 publications to none, and great recommendation letters to moderate letters. 
GPA helps, it's very low on the list of important qualifiers. 
That said, there's also a false dilemma that many prospective graduate students set up when they ask "which is more important". For top schools, the answer is "it's all important". Top schools will take someone with a great GRE, a good publication record, and great letters over people outstanding in one category but lacking in others.

I don't remember if this was already said here or a different thread, but I'd like to remind everyone to ask their advisors about computers before buying one. Even though my guess at what I'd need was pretty accurate, my advisor offered to cover the cost my computer!

I am not in SLP but we sometimes discuss this issue in my field too, especially when it comes to aspects of our career such as giving talks and asking questions in a seminar, or even the way we talk about issues at group meetings.
In my opinion, I don't think anyone should be advised to "correct" their voice in order to "fit in" with the norm. The norm in my field is like the norm in many areas--strong, authoritative voices are listened to, and voices that sound "different" (feminine, accented, quiet) are less likely to be listened to. In fact, I've sat in meetings where female colleagues say something and no one hears them until another person (male usually) repeats it.
I speak with an accent and in an oral presentation class, the instructor suggested that I get speech therapy in order to "fix" my accent so that I sound more like a Caucasian person. Well, she didn't say "Caucasian person" but the implication was that I didn't sound like society's expectation for a professional. 
I think this is rubbish and instead of teaching people to sound more like some arbitrary set of norms, we should educate our colleagues to understand different voices (whether it's a feminine voice, "upspeak", an accent, or whatever). Let's celebrate diversity in our voices rather than reinforce existing discrimination.

paulwece, definitely make an appointment and follow the standard procedure for meeting with a dean. At this point, you need to just stop stressing out about this. It doesn't matter whether you talk to the dean on Aug 17, 26, or Sept 8. If the petition is successful, then the change will happen pretty quickly and, you can always send updated transcripts out after your applications if you need to. The other thing though is that your GPA isn't that bad even with the semester you don't want to count.

You're expecting too fast of replies.
The deans are transitioning, which means they're both busier than normal, and this is one of their busiest times of the year.

In general the thing to focus on is how your research fits with that of the professors/labs at each school. To do a good job at that, you need to choose schools that can complement and support your research. If you've done a good job at that, the fit portion of the SOP more or less writes itself, because it should be obvious. Sounds like you're well on your way to doing that. It's also useful to mention facilities, labs, libraries, access to special communities or any other unusual resources a school has to offer, as long as it's linked to your research in some way. It shows that you've done your legwork and have actually given some thought to why each school is right for you. You can learn a lot about what a school is proud of by reading their website. If they stress the importance of working within the community and that's something you at least find interesting, comment on that. If they talk a lot about the importance of teaching experience, talk about why that's something drawing you to that school. You get the idea. You can have a couple of sentences about these unique things that draw you to each school, but I would put them after explaining the fit with the professors, which should be the primary reason you choose to apply to a school. 

I retook the GRE this morning and got a great score.
165/170/? for V/Q/A.
Help me folks, I cannot screw up again like last year!
Thanks

Visit if you think it will help YOU make a decision on whether to apply there or not, but don't visit just because you think it will help THEM make a decision whether to admit you or not. 

Well the nice thing about UChicago is that it's in the South of Chicago where there are plenty of opportunities to find very cheap housing right next to campus. 

Yep.  Even double checking I would consistently transpose the numbers.  It was the environment which threw off my thinking.
 
Also to GradSecretary, I plan on getting off AD's with time.  They were only meant as a temporary solution.  But, they might indeed be having a negative effect.  It's crossed my mind in the past.
 
Anyway, good news!  I passed the Ph.D. qualifying exams!  So, after all that work and struggle, I am shocked that I managed to pass.  Apparently, "with flying colors" as my advisor said.  I also had to remind him to inform me.  He had completely forgotten to tell me because, to him, it was not surprising news.  This is definitely the best moment I've had in my life for the past 10 years or so.  I am so glad I opted to go for this.  It's taught me so much about myself, and how I need to improve and cope with challenges.  I just hope I can be there for future years of students coming in with their own confusing struggles.  I managed to pull through despite the challenges.
 
I am kind of bummed that a few friends of mine with whom I studied did not pass the exams, but am more surprised at their emotional maturity about it.  They have made peace beforehand in ways that I still need to work to achieve.

Well, I got my grades back, and I have achieved the goal I was looking for.  It's not a great goal, but, basically, I get to keep all of my financial aid!  Now, just to study for the qualifying exams.  Right now I am mathematically precisely at the minimum GPA to keep all my funding.  I do not like where my GPA is at whatsoever, but at least I am still getting funding.  Given the constant emotional turmoil and doctor's visits half the time trying to figure out what was being triggered in my head, I think things turned out alright.  I nailed two out of my last 3 exams, so the treatment seems to be working slowly.  One exam faltered a bit, though, I know what I need to do to fix the problem in the future.
 
I really hope grades don't matter beyond this point (beyond maintaining them and doing research) because I certainly would like to produce some excellent research, or at least get to the point where I am not known for good/bad grades.

The time right before you move is one of the hardest. Major changes are about to happen, but first you are forced to wait. The imagination can go wild. What you are describing sounds normal under the circumstances.
 
My advice would be to make the most of these last few days when you're with family, make sure you have some nice recent memories. But when you're alone, spend the time planning for when you move. Read up on your city; there is a lot to know -- use google street view to learn about the neighborhood surrounding your university and your new apartment. If you don't have an apartment yet, read up on neighborhoods, browse some postings. If you'll be there in less than a week then now is not too early to begin looking. Familiarize yourself with the transportation system. Find out which cell company has the best reception in your area; read up on internet providers and see if you can already contact one (it can take obscenely long for a technician to come install your internet once you've signed up for the service). Read up on banks and local grocery stores. Find where the local thrift stores are, in case you need quick stuff to get you started in your new apartment. Look up furniture stores and large retail stores. Find out where the nearest mall is and how you get there. Find out who the mayor of your city is, when the last election was, what the state capital is, who is the governor. Start planning your life in your new city.
 
Everyone has some kind of adjustment period and struggle when they first move, this is to be expected, too. The first semester may not be completely smooth sailing. However, your program clearly thinks you have what it takes to succeed, or they wouldn't have admitted you. Trust them!
 
As part of your prep, if this helps you, read up on resources and requirements in your department and university. What are the first-year courses like? Are there other requirements? Will you be assigned an advisor immediately -- if so, read up on them. Who is the Director of Graduate Studies in your department? Who is the chair? What is the secretary's name and where is her office? Is there a student rep who might be there to help? Within your university, is there an orientation? Are there activities to help you make new friends? Are there support groups on campus? Where is medical and health services? (You might not need them, but the time to find out this information is not when you need it but long before, so you're not burdened even further when you're in need.) Is there a sports center? What courses does it offer -- is there anything you want to sign up for? 
 
Gathering information and making plans helps you have some control over your life. The hard part is having to passively wait and only know what you'll be missing at home, but not about all the new opportunities that will become available once you move. Thinking and planning ahead will help you get excited about what you'll gain by moving and hopefully remind you why you chose to do this in the first place. Remember that what you are going through happens to everyone, to some degree, but it doesn't mean you won't be as successful as your school already thinks you are. Good luck! 

I really think you're going to be fine.  Seriously.

As in you don't have an area of interest, or anything particular you're passionate about? I've found most people will have developed an area they're interested in by the time they gradauate. For some, this happens much later. You can start by asking yourself which kind of courses in your undergrad you found more interesting than others.
But more importantly, how is a master's degree going to help you? Do you want to go into research and/or academic fields, making the MS a stepping stone to a PhD? If so, you'd need to be passionate enough in an area of research. Or is it needed for a job? Then, you'd need the master's in the field related to the job.
 
Hope that helps.

Fear 1 is highly unlikely. If he was going to say 'no,' he'd just do it. Deans tell people 'no' all the time. 
 
Fear 2 is possible. However, it seems unlikely to me that your petition will be denied since you have a valid case and documentation, and if the current Dean thinks it should be approved there isn't much of a reason to assume the new one won't think the same. That said, I understand it's still anxiety inducing; but I don't think we can help, you'll just have to wait. 
 
 
Other than that: patents count as research, and your experience setting up a company is most definitely relevant. As for your high school experience, I don't know that it's necessary to go into details. You can mention the troubles you've had in college briefly, but it's just not something to concentrate on if the goal is to get into grad school. You have far most interesting recent stuff to discuss. You want to highlight all those positive things you have going for you. I also would not advise going to any department heads or deans right now. You don't know that it's necessary, and firing the big guns before you know it's necessary might end up flagging you as someone who tries to pull strings to get special privileges, even if that's not true. I'd wait and see how this petition works out first.

Patents absolutely count as research. They're less common for academics than journal articles, but they're still fantastic additions to an application.

My cgpa without withdrawing is 3.4. I also plan to write about it in my SOP, and an advisor who has known me from the start with talk about it in the letter of recommendation. The depression really started in my senior year in high school. I got a 36 on the math portion of the ACT, won first place in an UIUC sponsored physics competition, and got a chance to shake the UIUC dean's hand. I was also one of the top 30 math students from the Chicago area. At the time, UIUC really wanted me, and despite that I did bad in my first semester of senior year, they were willing to wait for my final semester's grade and as long as I showed any improvement, they would take me. The dean had his hand in this, told me "he would take it personally". Unfortunately, my grade only got worse so it was painful that I didn't go to UIUC.
 
And this carried over to my freshman year in college. The first semester I did improve, but still not great. But since then, I did improve dramatically and changed my life around. Can I write this in my SOP? Although it's usually not a good idea to talk about high school achievement, I feel this tells a consistent story, and really tells me who I am and what a comeback I've made. Granted I'm no longer applying as an undergrad, and the dean that knows me is not in charge of graduate admissions, but still...

I started a research based company 2 years ago and has a patent. My first product has gotten pre orders and it won honorable mentions in a invention competition. Can that count as research?
 
PS. The school I want to get into (UIUC) has a "limited status admission" option. I asked them and they said this is for people who don't meet certain requirements, like low GPA, but this is for the department to decide. I can't ask for it in my application. I wonder if going down to UIUC and talking with the department head/dean there about my situation might help me in this regard?
 
Thanks

I've been super lucky with the opportunities I've had to travel. From the UK, and I've travelled to:
 
Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia (lived), Thailand (lived), New Zealand, Bahrain, Morocco, Egypt, Sweden, Spain, France, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Indonesia, Malaysia, Greece (lived), Cyprus, Turkey, Canada, and the US.
 
US States: New York (lived), New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, Mass., Maine (lived), Penn., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida (Lived), Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California (lived).
 
 This list definitely doesn't reflect the number of times I've been places either! I think technically I've travelled around the world twice already and I'm only 22! So grateful for the opportunities I've had to see the world, it's definitely made me mature faster and appreciate the world we live in.

Just so you know, that quant score is fantastic. I have no idea how much they weigh verbal scores for biology.