Padma011

It is that time of the year again! I just found this thread with so many helpful comments (list of questions to ask, what to wear, etc.)! Just curious, is it normal that school reimburses some of your cost only if you accept their offer? I am thinking of visiting but international traveling costs a lot...

Hi I just finished the interview with UMD. But I haven't posted in the result page yet. I received the interview email yesterday morning, but I was too busy working that I didn't check my mailbox and I believe there was no notification for this email. It was before I went to sleep that I saw the second email the director sent... (Lesson learned: always check the mailbox!) She provided 5 time slots for the interview. I was the last one to choose and the only one left is today at noon. So I have only got 12 hours for my interview (that includes my sleeping time). Luckily the interview went pretty well I think. Questions are quite standard, like Why PhD, why Maryland, and which research method I want to focus. The director is very nice and she managed to lighten the conversation. She said my chance of getting in is very high but I would need to retake my TOFEL. The requirement is 108 (mine is 106). If I get the score, there should be no problem for me. I am so excited and grateful since this is the only PhD program I applied for (the others are all MA). Which area did you apply? I applied for communication science & social recognition. I think for each area they are looking for different qualifications. So my background doesn't necessary help to make your judgement. Anyway I am earning BA degree in English, not much research experience (no publication, only one presentation), and my GRE is V158 Q170. I guess one strength I have is my research interests fit well with the faculties'. You have quite a lot related experience and I believe your interview invitation will soon get to you! If you need anymore information, just ask here or send me a PM. Good luck to you!

Congratulations @GreenEyedTrombonist! Feel so happy for you.

@Pencilvester Thanks! Sent you a message

@GreenEyedTrombonist Thanks for the advice! I have talked to some of my professors and narrowed my interest down a little bit. So finally don't have to worry about the school list. @galosh I think you could take a lot at NCA's website where you can find a list of schools by area, like media studies. Send an email to the program that you like. Tell them about yourself to ask what is the likelihood to get an assistantship. That's what I would do. Also an international applicant, so not much advice on school to offer. Also, does anyone have time to take a look at my SoP plz? Really need some advice on it! Could do exchange but I feel most of you have already had everything ready for the application...

Hey, everyone! I am also applying for Comm program this year. Hope you are doing well in this busy season! Actually I want to get some advice from you. I major in English for my undergraduate, but since I study in China, my undergraduate study didn't involve a lot of research. It was not until I did an exchange study in Canada that I was completely attracted to rhetoric. I still feel a bit unprepared for graduate study cause I don't have much research experience. So far I am planning to apply for nine school this year in both Canada and U.S. My school list includes Texas-Austin, Colorado-Boulder, Wisconsin-Madison, Maryland, UIUC, Pittsburgh, Utah, Nebraska-Lincoln and McGill. As I was searching for Comm programs in U.S., I found most of them link rhetoric to political communication. Since my interest lies in the intersection of rhetoric, health communication and digital media, I was wondering if rhetoric and political culture program would be a good fit for me. On the other hand, health communication program mostly centres on interpersonal level, which is not exactly what I want. Any advice about the area of study choice?