GG

I can see someone got interview call from UPenn, in the results section. Does anyone have any idea whether they sent interview calls at the same time or spreading them out throughout the month?

University of Minnesota

Hi people! I have been accepted into University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and waitlisted for UMass Amherst (MA in Communication for both). Though I can see a few people talking about the UMass program, there's apparently no talk over the UMN program. In case anyone is willing, can you please enlighten me about these two programs (not necessarily about their masters, but overall)? I am switching from a completely different field, so it would be great if anyone more familiar could shed some light and help me decide. Thanks!

I am switching mainly because this field interests me and I don't want to continue my studies in engineering. I am mostly interested in research based careers so currently my plan is to go for doctoral degree after my masters. In fact, I am opting for an MA because I lack enough background in this area which is needed for applying to PhD (for example, I don't have any scholarly article or research work relevant to Comm). To be honest, I am not that focused yet but I want to work in the area of Communication Technology.

Hi. Is it UMass Amherst or Wisconsin that funds 2 students each year? Because according to UMass website, they fund all of their students. In fact, my area of interest is Communication Technology. But I found only a handful of programs that somehow connects to my profile/interest/funds etc (apparently I have a list of criteria), which is why the list is so diverse. But I understand that I need to keep my statements focused. Penn State was my top choice, so it definitely is bad news for me that they don't fund students much.

Hello. I have been planning to apply for MA in Communication in USA this fall, majorly. But I have also targeted one or two Mass Communication programs. One of my biggest worries is that I have neither academic nor professional background in this sector. To mention my related extra-curricular activities, I'll say that I have been involved with an online writing platform (kind of a blog, sadly not an English one) for 4 to 5 years as a contributor, editor (for blog posts, the occasional ebooks and the only book we've published) etc. I have several published articles (English ones) in newspapers/websites, but all are small news-piece like, nothing noteworthy. So not only that my experience is not really that much high profile, but I also don't have any undergraduate thesis paper or valuable piece of academic writing that I can present as a writing sample to those admission committees that ask for lengthy writing samples. I can give them translation of one lengthy blog post of mine, which was serious and sort of analytical but surely not as formal as an academic writing sample, but I am not sure whether such informal blog kind of article are acceptable as a writing sample. Or do they only want to check how well you write? I need the answer because cutting off programs that require writing sample is shortening the list of programs I can target. Other than the above, here's my profile: Undergrad: civil engineeringUndergrad marks: 65%Publications: noneWork experience: 4 months in a non-profit (didn't do anything significant there), 8 months in an engineering firmGRE: quant 167 verbal 161 analytical 5IELTS: reading 8 listening 8 speaking 7.5 writing 7TOEFL: reading 29 listening 30 speaking 22 writing 30LOR: From undergrad professors (engineering and some humanities courses) and maybe from my employer who is also an engineer, and one from the social service organisation's head I've worked in for years who is also a communications grad. I can also get one from my blog co-ordinator but not sure whether that'd be of much value. I want to apply to programs that requires a thesis for the masters degree and provides full financial support to some students. The primary list of universities that fine tune with my profile and requirements (no writing sample, provides full funding to some students) 1. Ohio State University (though I think I need to take this out of the list as they require 28 on TOEFL speaking)2. University of Wisconsin Madison (not sure about the possibility of financial support)3. University of Missouri Columbia4. Virginia Tech5. University of Maryland College Park6. Pennsylvania State University7. University of Massachussettes Amherst8. Ohio University9. University of Nebraska Lincoln10. University of South Carolina11. University of Tennesse Knoxville12. Temple University (Development Communication) Can you please give your opinion on my probability of getting funded admission in each of these? I don't think I'll be applying to this many programs and opt for 7 to 8 at most, so I need to make my list more defined, by taking away some names and adding some new ones.