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time_consume_me

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Posts posted by time_consume_me

  1. 3 hours ago, chicha3maddy said:

    I'm an SSHRC applicant (submitted by my department), not NSERC, but at a point maybe a month or two my application just disappeared from the portal. My CV is still there, but my application is no longer listed. Another student from my department noticed the same. I was wondering if anyone here has noticed something similar? 

    I know that @neverwinter22replied but I wanted to double up their info by saying I confirmed with SSHRC offices that this is normal.

  2. On 4/6/2022 at 3:01 PM, gorgogliante said:

    Well, it turns out that unfortunately this year's fellows will actually be the last. The Mellon foundation has stopped funding the program. For clarity, if you applied this year, you can still win funding. But there will be no application this fall or thereafter.

    Here's the announcement: https://www.ssrc.org/programs/idrf/idrf-announcement/

    Absolute tragedy and a huge loss for international students. This was one of the few big ones that allowed non-US citizens. 

    I interestingly noted that they hadn't increased the award amount in over 12 years. Perhaps that should have been seen as a red flag.

  3. On 4/19/2021 at 3:58 PM, ajak568 said:

    Could you explain this? Just for my general curiosity. How do interdisciplinary departments save money? Do universities form interdisciplinary studies departments as an alternative to having stand-alone departments? 

    Probably they meant the degree was created as a stop-gap to avoid expanding or 'renovating' an existing, traditional degree programme. For example, a shrinking (or not) Anthropology department gets axed by budget cuts. In response to the outcry from students, faculty, and alum, the University announces the creation of an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. that allows students access to the faculty who have been shuffled around from their homes in Anthropology department. Where an in incoming student for this new programme would have fit into the now-axed Anthro department, it is arguable whether their experience will come close to what the full department used to offer.

     

    The second way I can make sense of this is if the funding breakdown is objectively different than those offered to traditional Anthro/History/English Ph.D. Then you are looking at a manipulation of sources and uses of funds. Possibly even by asking for a separate application the University could be making money off of fees, etc.

     

    Lastly -- and may god forbid this case -- it could be that the new interdisciplinary Ph.D programme is designed to keep those students away from the GSAS fellowships and perhaps even charge them tuition or alike. These cash-cow degrees are more commonly found as terminal MAs, though I wouldn't put it past at least one US school in 2021 to try this last option out.

  4. On 4/24/2021 at 9:20 PM, hydro said:

    Facts. I'm waiting to hear back from a couple of fellowships and scholarships before I decide how many applications to submit. 

    Anyone have experience with fee waivers? Does it vary by school and department how waivers are distributed? 

     

    On 4/27/2021 at 4:06 PM, AP said:

    I applied to a school that had waivers but I did not use it because you had to apply two months earlier and I had no materials ready. The only waivers I've seen are school-wide, Departments don't have power over that (and hence they don't get that money). 

    I was rather successful with waivers. I'm an international and, if I remember correctly, had my fees waived at more than half the schools I applied to. That includes Chicago, Harvard (two programs, both PhD), Northwestern. Some of these had formal avenues for this built into the app -- others I emailed staff in admissions and got things done manually.  Doesn't hurt to ask (so long as you ask the right offices).

  5. On 4/7/2021 at 2:03 PM, TMP said:

    I would really have a one-on-one conversation with history professors on your campus, especially those who have gotten their PhDs after 2008.

    100% this. I think we could all do with a meeting of this sort!

     

    If this is possible for you, do this.

     

    edit: Getting into the practice of prioritizing advice from faculty and Ph.D. holding people who meet this 'after-2008' category is essential, imo.

  6. On 1/5/2021 at 11:35 AM, watergirl said:

    Hi -- Canadian in the US for a PhD here, and wondering about similar questions. NSERC income in Canada, and RA and small grants in the US. 

    I was told by the CRA to fill NR-73 to determine residency status (I wish I knew this early on in my grad studies), then fill the Canadian tax packages accordingly. In the letter I got back from them, I was referred to S5-F1-C1. Since I am a "factual resident of Canada", I then called the CRA, and I was told to attach the T2209 with my US income for each year of reporting, and attach a copy of my tax returns for each year. I'm still unsure about whether to include (sum up) my W-2 (income from RA) and 1042-S (fellowships) on T2209, what to put as amount of taxes already paid etc. And how to account for any taxes not withheld at the source (showing up on W-2 and 1042-S) but that I paid to the state or IRS after filling my US taxes....

    Calling the CRA today and hopefully I can update with some answers.

    PS: If that is helpful to anyone reading, if you are still contributing to your TFSA in Canada but wrote a departure date in your tax returns my mistake or misunderstanding, you will be taxed a lot on it so get that checked! 

    Related question: how long did it take to get a response re: your NR-73? I mailed one in last month and still no mail.

    I cannot log into my online account because I haven't filed or my status is off -- I get an error. I was told this would be resolved by doing NR-73 and sorting out whatever outstanding taxes I have. Ready to do that, just need word back on that NR-73.

    Looking forward to following your progress and reporting on my own so that I might be of some help to others.

    Cheers

  7. On 12/7/2020 at 5:27 PM, telkanuru said:

    It is unlikely to be worth your time applying without an MA. Also, the history dept only has 2 spots for non-Canadian students.

    not to mention an unlivable stipend. Great school and department but not viable for most people, imo.

  8. On 7/11/2020 at 2:34 PM, Arthistoryiscool said:

    Has anyone heard back from campus housing yet to see if you got approved for grad school housing? I am getting stressed about finding a place since it sounds like spots will be few and far between this year...

     

    7 hours ago, panqiang97 said:

    I'm in the same boat! Don't worry. I got in touch with the housing rep. via email; she said that if you don't receive a notification that you've been given a housing assignment by the 24th of July, then you're added to the waitlist. Also, is anyone else thinking of doing at least the first semester via online? I'm seriously considering it...

    Assignments were put on hold at the start of the month. Delayed once, then put on hold. I bet we get an update this week -- the July 24th mention is helpful.

    One question, though: what makes you think that spots are "few and far between" this year? With deferrals offered (usually not an option) and the general difficulties facing domestic as well as (especially!) international students trying to get the NY, if anything there will be more graduate housing, no?

  9. 4 hours ago, Cryss said:

    Just got an email from my embassy saying they will open limited appointments from July 14th specifically for student visas and petition-based visas. Will keep you guys updated. 

    With the hope that this policy is adopted at more consulates and embassies elsewhere, my family is working toward this route. That is, preparing to file for an emergency appointment whilw watching out for new slots opened for people in our category.

    Thanks for this encouraging news!

  10. 1 hour ago, rblume_277 said:

    Even though my school (UChicago) is currently employing a hybrid model, they could go online at any point, jeopardizing a lot of its students. Has anyone had any success pushing their university to file a petition against ICE’s regulations- like Harvard and MIT are? I feel like UChicago’s silence on this matter is despicable. 

    Loads of schools are getting on board, resisting and denouncing the move. See this thread (up and down) for a comprehensive and updated list:

    Also: my local consulate has had this info posted next to the instructions regarding emergency appointment requests since earlier this week. "The first available date would be 7/14/2020."

    Meanwhile, the first available regular appointment was October 7th. So it seems like they recognize the need for earlier interviews, at least for students' cases. This is encouraging.

  11. 2 hours ago, Dave Minchang said:

    My school has told me many times: you are welcome here, but the department of state makes me feel just the opposite. The whole process of getting a visa is just about being treated as a criminal for wanting to go to grad school and prove that you are not going to steal the job of American born. I have burned a lot of money in doing so.

    With new restrictions in the coming days, like puting an end date for F1 status and more restrictions on OPT program, and the real possibility of Trump's relection, the US seems a bad place for being a student.

    Now I'm facing with the reality: there are better places in the world for being an international student, where you can feel respected and treated like a human being.

    Well said. I feel sick.

  12. 11 minutes ago, Clintarius said:

    It's pretty inconvenient for me to defer to Spring because some key courses have a first half in the fall and a second half in the spring. So I'm hoping to start this fall (if the department accommodates online coursework well), and if I can't I'll likely differ to fall 2021.

    Yea, Columbia doesn't like for the grad students to start in Spring. At least that is my sense in speaking with people from across the GSAS.

    Language courses, professional development courses, not to mention the seminar and summer programs off-campus are almost all laid out based on a September start, it seems.

  13. On 7/1/2020 at 1:19 AM, Anthony Tong said:

    Good to know that some places issue expedited visa for students. My expedited visa application is still under review status, finger crossed...

    For reference, the emb/consulates in Japan show this on the panel (under "Emergency Request Instructions," after login):

     

    • Students or exchange visitors
    • Purpose of travel is to begin or resume a valid program of study in the United States within 30 days for Japanese applicants and 60 days for non-Japanese applicants when no regular visa appointments are available. This option is limited only to applicants who have not been refused a visa within the last six months at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
    •  
    • Essential documentation:
    •  
    • Original Form I-20 or DS-2019
    • Evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee (when applicable).
    • The first available date would be 7/13/2020.
    • Click HERE to request an Emergency Appointment

     

    Going to be trying this route soon. Emailing today to ask more about it/confirm.

     

     

  14. 8 hours ago, Clintarius said:

    What is your US school planning in terms of coursework accommodations if you have to start remotely from Japan?

    The time difference makes that impossible. As long as I could get paid, I was thinking about living in Canada (where I can enter as a citizen, quarantine, then rent an apartment) -- HOWEVER, it remains unclear whether it is even possible to receive the funding from a distance, let alone another country. If I don't have funding I can't attend, no matter where in the world I might be.

    5 hours ago, niazche said:

    US embassy in Canada also have similar provision regarding F-1 visa. When I e-mailed them to confirm, then they mentioned only COVID related cases will get priority. May be you can also send US embassy in Japan an e-mail!

    Wow ok this is important. I will be sure to reach out to the local consulate soon to confirm the instructions on their site. Thanks

  15. In Osaka I was able to book one of the first available slots opened up after weeks (maybe months) of 'no available appointments.' It was the first time I had ever seen the calendar on the homepage!

    Booked for Oct. 7 -- obviously wayy after the semester starts. The plan is to ask for an expedited or emergency appointment once within the period defined by US diplomatic authorities here in Japan for students. That is: within 30 days of the start of the program.

    Note that this period of eligibility is different for each country!

    FYI: this interview is for the j-2 dependant who will come with.

  16. 18 hours ago, niazche said:

    Update: I have been in constant touch with Ottawa US embassy and I must say they have laudable communication skill. The summary of my correspondence is- Ottawa US embassy will only issue a visa if it is related to COVID-19, e.g. health care workers, COVID-19 researchers, and family of COVID-19 affected people. All other visa issuance are postponed until further notice. I am pretty sure, I will have to defer my admission to 2021 spring.

    Interesting that they said so. I haven't heard this from others working through other embassies or consulates elsewhere in the world.

     

    After weeks and weeks of checking daily, I was actually able to book yesterday in Japan the first available day: Oct 7th. Obviously this doesn't help, but the 'emergency request' button has also appeared, so I/we are thinking about using that. The embassies/consulates here have a page that says that students within 30days of their start date are eligible for emergency requests.

    Checking now it seems like their schedule is now fully booked here.

     

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