Happington

You might be useful! My I-20 states that my source of income for the difference between my funding and my estimated costs ($500) is coming from a sponsor. It feels really absurd asking a sponsor to document that they have $500 to sponsor me, when I have well in excess of that myself. Would showing either a personal bank statement, or even cash/cashiers cheque for the amount be satisfactory, or does the source HAVE to match what is stated on the I-20? EDIT NOTE: This will be for the border crossing, as I don't need a visa interview or processing beforehand (Canadian) if that makes a difference.

From my experience in moving money down for other reasons (note, I only moved $10,000 previously, larger amounts should generally follow the same rules though,) there's a few options. Some banks have international divisions that you can open an account with in your home country, put money in it, and access it from abroad. I've seen TD banks both here (Canada) where they started, and in various cities in the states. Bank of America is similar. I'm sure there's a UK bank that does this as well, just make sure there is a branch in the city you're moving to. Alternatively, a good old wire transfer can still be used to move large amounts of currency, and it's probably safer than approaches like travelers cheques or cashiers cheques, however do have a slightly larger cost associated with them. Remember there are limits on the amount of cash you can bring across borders without declaring it if you DO decide to go that direction! (Don't, that really does sound like a terrible idea) I'll be taking the same approach as you with the big items (have someone with a bunch of US funds/good US credit readily available,) however you likely won't raise many red flags moving that small amount of money into the US no matter your approach as it's low enough that currency export laws shouldn't kick in. You should check to see if export limits apply, however.

This is speaking from my experience, and may not be reflected everywhere. "Easier" I had a similar condition on my admission, I needed no lower than a 75 in my first three courses at the university. Coming out from an undergrad where I only performed remarkably well my last two years this condition made me nervous. I came out of my courses with an overall of close to 95. I worked hard, yeah, but I didn't find the work nearly as draining as undergrad. I think this came from the reduced number of courses (I wasn't taking six a semester anymore) and the fact I was taking only courses that interested me, instead of piles of required courses that were extremely mundane and clogged up with group work. Grad GPAs are reliably higher than undergrad GPAs at my school, and looking on the internet, it seems to be the case in most places. I'd say it's uncommon for a student to have a GPA below 3.7, and being around there would be cause for concern. I can't speak for everywhere though. I don't know anyone in UBC Biostat so I can't comment on that program in particular. Again, just my story, don't take my experience as cannon. As for curving fears, remember that the school WANTS you to succeed. If the university requires students to maintain a 75% average, they're not going to curve the median down to a 65%. They DO want most of their students to pass, and they won't blatantly adjust marks to kick over half their Masters students out. Just make sure you work hard, and you should be fine. They wouldn't have accepted you if they didn't think you'd make the cut.

So, to start. You ARE still a student. Your position at the school is almost never conditional on the GA appointment, that's considered a benefit. I don't know the circumstances behind you losing your appointment however it does not release you from your educational obligation. You're not an employee anymore, but if you're enrolled in classes, you're a student. For question 1: Check your schools website. None of us here can give you a specific answer because every school is different in its policies. If you can't find it, or want to ask if exceptions can be made, you'll have to ask your registrars office. For question 2: Ask the International Student office, as Mathcat said. For question 3: You're asking if you can enroll in a course with (likely) less than two weeks remaining in it? I hate to be "that guy", but have you considered just finishing the semester? While I personally suspect what you're talking about to be impossible, if you DO manage it you'll be breaking one of the conditions on your visa. If you ever hope to return to the states this could hurt you in the long run. Is that risk really worth one months rent?

I did something in my masters that I knew would likely result in burning a bridge, however it was a move I had to make at the time to ensure that I could keep moving forward. It likely somewhat damaged my relationship with my advisor. Will it destroy our working/social relationship completely? No. But I know it may cause any LoR I receive from him in the future to be slightly weaker. That said, I don't suspect any lasting consequences from what I did, as my indiscretion was justifiable and somewhat minor. There is, however, another student I know who practically torched a bridge as they were leaving the school. I know that several professors who worked closely with them while enrolled at the school have either refused, or warned that the letter cannot be very positive given what happened when asked for a LoR. Generally, I think burning bridges comes at a few levels. The most minor (in my mind) is what I did in ignoring a standard practice and possibly hurting one professional you work closely with. The second is likely something that will ruin your reputation in a department, like backing out of an accepted admission, a system will remember your name, and what you did, but the lack of a close working relationship with any one individual will probably limit the fallout in the long run. The worst bridge burning is pretty much scorched earth. You did something that actively damaged the reputation of a professor, or your department, and the severity will make faculty members REMEMBER your name. The first level may hurt a LoR, or ruin a relationship with someone at worst. The second may prevent you from attending a school in the future, and if your name sticks in a professors mind, may hurt your chances at certain conferences/in certain papers. The third, if you do it wrong, could be a career ender (especially if you want to be an academic.) This is from the perspective of a CS student with a research focus in Data Analysis. A fairly large subfield, of an absolutely enormous field.

The big Canadian research grants seem to all have versions for students studying abroad. I'm applying for NSERC grants, the arts council, and the other one have similar programs if that's what your program is.

The school I'll be attending is the same, with about a $2,300 fee. Apparently some state law prevents the university from waiving fees, probably to limit the effects of a tuition waiver. At least for me, it's accompanied by a fairly high stipend in a fairly low-cost area, probably to compensate. The school I'm talking about is a major publicly funded school. While their website mentions that you need to show support for all six years of a PhD, other parts mention only your first years costs need to be liquid.

Talk to your department about it, and the international student services at your school. Explain the situation and ask how students in the past have proceeded. I'm sure you're not the first in this position.

^ That. The magic of being Canadian is that we get to skip the visa process. As threatening as my offer letter sounded when it comes to documentation, delaying on some of the I-20 related docs most likely won't be a dealbreaker for any students. At this point the university wants you. They'll work with you to make sure you've provided everything required. The school I'll be attending has some strange document requirements (why on earth would I need to send my physical degree parchment, it's written right on my transcripts!), but I've been in contact with them enough that they're clarifying requirements fairly well. Keep in touch with the school and they'll help you. As for the signed/stamped balance statement, any teller at a bank can print one off for you. It took me five minutes at my Scotiabank branch. But I'd wait, if they ask for the documentation, send them your GRA appointment letter and ask if that's enough, if they still insist on a statement/letter provide one.

The reality is your university "shouldn't" issue an I-20 without adequate information. If they find it inadequate, they'll let you know. (At least, according to the place I'm going.) That said, if you're funded, this is probably all irrelevant, as your I-20 will be issued based on your confirmation of appointment (at least, that's what the school I just accepted does.)

Alright. I have another offer, but it doesn't expire on the 15th, so I can sit on that for a bit. I assume this school will try to get funding offers out before the 15th regardless, as they can probably guess that students like me would have that choice to make soon.

The other day I received an acceptance to my top choice University, following a successful interview with a POI. I was receiving some very encouraging remarks from both the professor I spoke to, as well as the department in general. When I received the notification letter from the department it was a generic letter, detailing the required courses I should look at, and reminding me to transmit the outstanding documents to Graduate Admissions (specifically my transcripts.) The decision letter posted to the web portal mentioned the department would directly contact me regarding any funding positions I've been nominated for. The impression I got from the professor I interviewed with was that international students weren't admitted without funding, however I am nervous about clicking that "Accept Offer" button without a funding offer in hand. I sent an email to the academic co-ordinator (the only contact I have had with the department aside from the professor) yesterday morning asking if the offer was funded, and if not, if any TA/RA positions are available to apply to. I have not received a reply to this email. Would it be improper to send a follow up tomorrow, even though it's only been two full business days since my last request? Should I sit on it for a few more days/a week to see if an offer is forthcoming?

I just wrote a conversion on the bottom of mine myself, and the university said it was enough. I'm Canadian too.

I was in a meeting with my Masters advisor having Chapter 3 of my thesis torn apart when I got the PhD admission to my #1 choice today. It made the whole event sting a little bit less.

I'm still waiting on one. I applied to a few schools and all but one haven't panned out for one reason or another (POI Retiring, no funding, etc.). The last one I've gotten super positive emails from a POI (enthusiastic emails, extremely positive interview, almost mentioned acceptance letter before stating "He couldn't tell me whether the response would be a yes or no".) A couple weeks ago (Apr 1) I was told I'd hear back "shortly" and am waiting. A friend who applied and got in to this same school told me this last phase can take a few weeks, but I'm understandably petrified about not being admitted. It's a smaller program, with a smaller applicant base, but some good profs and good contacts, so my nervousness is gaining. I swear I check that web portal 50 times a day some days.

The wonderful nature of our tax system. I had a 128 week wait for something once. Over two years to challenge a $200 penalty. Well, best of luck then. I'm going to likely just file as a resident if I end up in the states, I can't imagine them getting a bunch of money for auditing PhD students based on residency status.

I'd just file Canadian taxes as a resident, but, if you'd rather double check then just submit an NR73 (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/nr73/nr73-12e.pdf) and find out from them for sure. Page 3 of that form has a ton of boxes you'll be checking (You maintain your provincial health coverage, you maintain a Canadian passport, you (might) maintain a Canadian drivers licence), bank accounts (assuming you didn't totally close them all), special savings accounts (RRSP if you've dropped anything in there, TFSA if you've at least opened one), if you've left any personal items in Canada, other ties (read: Family). That form IS the sure-fire way of determining residency, but from that page alone most students would check off a ton of boxes. Usually what seals it is the fact that you are NOT an immigrant to the country you're living in, and your stay there has a set expiry date (when your I-20 expires).

Just a brief note, unless you were super clear that you were only studying in the USA, you're likely still a resident of canada (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/cmmn/rsdncy-eng.html), "Factual Residents" are almost the same as "Actual Residents" for tax purposes. So, you're claiming your income tax as a resident of the province you were a resident of prior to going to school. (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/ndvdls/tmprry-eng.html) Remember to still file your US taxes to try to get the refund for the taxes you've paid while there. Obviously I'm not a tax lawyer or a specialist in this, I'm applying to a CS PhD, not Tax Law or Economics =P. I asked a friend to confirm this (who studies in the states) and they said this is what they do. EDIT: Ask the CRA for a re-evaluation of residency status, provide as much as you can from the residency requirements listed in that first link. Remember, you're a student studying abroad, meaning you should keep your provincial health insurance, meaning at least in the view of your home province you're a resident. Just make sure to appeal it. If you're a non-resident, then bonus. You have no real Canadian income.

Just want to share, and possibly get some support! My undergrad GPA was abysmal. There are reasons for this, but unfortunately there is no "Put your excuses for your second and third year here" box on applications. After I graduated from my undergrad, I tried figuring out my GPA (my school doesn't use a 4.0 system) and I figured I had landed solidly in the 2.2ish range, with a 3.2 in my last two years, with the entire last year spent on the honour list. My undergrad also included a forced withdrawal for academic performance, and two changes of majors. The most mixed of records. I applied to a masters program with the professor who worked with me on my undergraduate capstone and managed to get in. I did great in the program, pulling a 4.0 masters GPA, have upcoming publications, and a thesis with some interesting research using an emerging technology. Right now I'm applying to PhD programs, and have actually had interest. None of them know my story. One professor talked to me over skype, and didn't comment on my undergrad performance, and I never mentioned it. I had some big research projects, a couple of publications, good GRE Quant scores for my field, stellar GRE AW and Verbal scores for my field. I had to apply late so I only applied to a couple of programs, specifically ones which have a policy that the minimum Undergrad GPA is superseded by a Graduate GPA. My dream was always to get a PhD, but I gave up at some point. In the last four years I managed to claw my way back to being a half-decent candidate. If I don't get in, I'll try again, but I'm optimistic about one in particular, my #1 choice, in fact. I get the impression I'll be hearing back early next week. The prof that contacted me didn't say anything specific, but I'm optimistic, Computer Science interviews like that aren't common from what I can glean. Short form: Don't give up hope, pick the right projects, take a few more classes and get A's. Try long enough and SOMEONE will recognize your ability, and scoop you up.

Ah, maybe I was a bit unclear. I prefer Nick, I just was worried that the admitting department may feel that the friendliness between myself and my letter writers damages their ability to objectively recommend me. You give me the impression that this is not the case, and I appreciate it.

I've tried looking through the forums for similar questions, however was unable to find one. I recently had to replace one of my letter writers as my ideal writer was unable to complete a letter in time, and the school I was applying to was getting impatient. The letter I received to replace it was extremely positive, hitting on everything that I'd done at the school, as well as my work with the prof. However they never once used my full formal name. This isn't really a case of my preferred name being extremely different from my formal one. It's a simple substitution of "Nick" vs "Nicholas", which all the profs I work closely with know is preferred. I'm not worried about recognition, as this is likely the most common name substitution around, and I'm applying to an American school, where I'm sure they'd know it. I was wondering if this level of familiarity between a letter writer and the student they're writing for damages or helps the credibility of the letter. It seems that this is actually the case for two of my three writers (the third referring to me as Mr. X.) Two of the three writers gave me copies of their letters (unsolicited, I almost wish they hadn't, I don't need this stress) and a faculty member of the school to which I applied to sent me an interview request using the shortened version of my name, rather than the full one, leading me to believe the letter he had already seen likely referred to me as "Nick", as none of the other material I submitted did. My questions: Does this level of familiarity between writer and student damage, or help the credibility of the letter? If I require the letter to be sent for new applications, I'll obviously ask the professor to spell my last name correctly, however should I also ask for them to change references of me to my full name? If yes for the previous question, should I contact the letter writer who I ASSUME used the short version, and ask them to abstain from using the shortened version, if they did?