hippyscientist

Okay, so I know there's been threads on what to wear to interviews and campus open days but I'm stumped. I'm an international student and am going to be visiting 3 of the schools I'm applying to in September (my boyfriend lives in the states so I figured I'd tie in seeing schools and him). My issue is I have no clue how to dress "business casual" in the heat. I'm used to living in shorts and a bikini as soon as the sun comes out and I'm not sure that will leave quite the right impression!! Girls - any advice? (Also I really am not a girly girl. I own no skirts or dresses...)

Ahh thank you both for replying. Sometimes reading these forums it comes across as though every applicant has first author papers, research lab experience for 5+ years and it can make you a little doubtful of how you might measure up. I think you both have put my mind at ease. TakeruK - great to hear that it is doable to finish and dash. I've had plenty of experience moving to a new country with zero time - I finished my undergraduate exams and the next day moved to Greece so not too worried about the moving aspect, but it is always nice to hear of others who do it too. I think my concern is my undergrad GPA isn't as good as it could be but I know my MSc work will be a better reflection of what I can do. I just really don't want to have another year out between degrees!! Thank you again for replying

Undergrad Institution: Top 3 School for my field in the UK Masters Institution: Top School in my field in the UK Undergrad Major(s): Sport and Exercise Science MSc: Sports Biomechanics Minor(s): Not done in the UK GPA in Major: Around a 3.6 in what I'm applying for my PhD Overall GPA: 3.3 (roughly using a variety of conversion websites) Position in Class: I think I was middle-ish (I had a really rough 3 years, mentioned in my SOP) I don't have a GPA for my masters as I don't start til September. Type of Student: International female, first to go to uni in my family GRE Scores (revised/old version): Taking it in two weeks (diagnostics are putting me around 162V and 163Q)!! Research Experience: I've written journal style lab reports every year, done a comprehensive independent piece of research for my undergrad dissertation (in the process of getting it published as first author), working on a national research study currently, will be doing my MSc too and that has a tonne of research in it. All my research is on injury risk factors, prevention and rehabilitation which is broadly the field I want to go into (I like knees lol). Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Was on scholarship for academic potential for all 3 years of undergrad (only about 10 awarded to entire incoming student body). Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Working as a research associate on major study related to my field for the summer. Was on the staff student liason committee at both undergrad and my masters programmes. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: It's tough to say. I'm struggling translating what I've done in the UK to what's on offer to US students. I was an elite athlete but retired due to injury, hence my research interests. Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...) My LORs will be good - one US lecturer who knows me well (to the point that when I was driving across the US I crashed at his place), my research supervisor at undergrad, and my research supervisor from my MSc (who got his PhD in Biomechanics from one of the schools I'm applying to). Also the uni I'm at for my MSc is ranked top in the field in this country, and alumni from my programme are now faculty in a few of the schools I'm applying to. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I basically had a horrendous time in my BSc, which explains why my GPA is so low (e.g. I found out a friend died the day before the start of exams, I saw a friend die in a hit and run in front of me, my dad got diagnosed with aggressive cancer etc). I've touched on this in my SOP but am determined to make my MSc make up for it. My MSc university has been named by the International Olympic Committee as one of the main research hubs for injury prevention research so I'm coming from a strong place for what I want to do. Applying to Where: USC - Biokinesiology Penn State - Kinesiology - Biomechanics U Michigan - Kinesiology - Biomechanics U Connecticut - Kinesiology - Biomechanics U Florida - Applied Performance and Kinesiology - Biobehavioral Studies U Wisconsin - Madison - Kinesiology - Biomechanics I didn't see this was in Biology but I guess it's life science related...please tell me to move it if it's not okay here!

Just thinking, how does it work renting? As an international student, I don't have a rental history or (I assume) a credit history in the US so how does this go about? I've rented twice outside of halls in the UK (one rent was cut short because my housemate pulled a knife on me, the other was fine) and I have an excellent credit history here too. Any info greatly appreciated!

I previously have worked in the US (summer camp) and therefore have an SSN. I just wanted to check that this will stay the same for PhD, so on applications where it asks for SSN can I put the one I had 3 years ago (when I worked in the US). Also, does it relate at all that I was based in Maine when I was issued that SSN and none of the schools I'm applying to are there? Sorry - bit clueless. Cheers for the responses in advance

Apologies if this has already been answered elsewhere - I've just found this amazing site! Should I put that I received a scholarship for all 3 years of my undergrad (I'm from the UK btw) for academic potential and financial hardship in my SOP? This information is already on my CV. I'd be looking for an assistantship for my PhD.

Hi everyone, I'm looking to do my PhD in the US in Kinesiology. I've identified the schools I want to apply to, where research interests fit mine and where I think I'd be good to live for 5 years! I'm an international student, I've done my BSc and MSc in the UK. As such, we have different research opportunities available to us. I know of maybe 1 student who got a research paper published at undergrad and that's because he took a year out to work with a NGB. I was just curious as I have conducted an independent research project (designed the project, did the data collection, wrote it up as a journal article but because of our university policy not able to submit it to a journal), will have done more research as part of my MSc and I've been working on a national study for the summer as a research assistant directly related to what I want to do my PhD in. I've also had extensive practical experience & journal writing experience from classes. Is this comparable to the kinda research experience US students would get? I'm also applying shortly after I've started my MSc, I'll have finished by the time I start, but I wondered how that will come across on applications? Thanks in advance for any advice/comments.