AnnaGG

I am a current international graduate student, so even though I'm in a different situation, I understand your concerns. However, I would like to offer a more optimistic perspective. The new academic year will start on sooner than in five months. No one knows how the virus will develop till then, but even if things do not get better, I don't think a travel ban can be sustained for so long. By that time I am positive there will be better coping mechanisms in place. I really doubt that come September travel bans will make sense anymore. It is natural to worry about something as momentous as grad school in these difficult times, but there is still light ahead!

I think everyone who’s under consideration has been invited and international students will be doing online interviews. If you’re in the USA distance makes no difference.

I'd like to share some valuable advice for those who are planning to come with spouses to the U.S. I know the application process is not over but it might help you plan better... Do not go for an F1 visa. Request a DS-2019 form from the institution and apply for J1. That way your spouse will be able to work in the U.S. Not enough people know this information and I see fellow students struggle. In case you are afraid of the 2-years home residency requirement - fear not. It does not apply unless your program was sponsored by the U.S. Government or your country. Wish you all best of luck!

Nothing wrong with striving for Harvard, we've all been there.. but with an ok GPA, poor GRE and no publications you really need some safety schools

TOEFL does not boost application. It is a pass/fail kind of thing. As long as you can prove that your English is in working order - you're good. TOEFL WILL NOT be chosen over GRE in any way and will not compensate any deficiencies of the GRE score. If you can waive the requirement - just waive it. Sending the TOEFL score will only cost you money.

Notre Dame fully funds students with a pretty neat stipend

Hey! Incoming ND student here too. I have a question about housing. I'm currently in between Campus View (looks pretty but expensive) and Village Terre (affordable, but no pictures). Do you know anyone living there? Do you have better suggestions? I'll be coming with my husband, so co-rent of a larger house is not an option.

I was looking into VIllage Terre as my first choice, because of affordable pricing. I couldn't find any pictures of what the apartments look like inside. Do you know anyone who lived there, or maybe you've visited? Are they dingy?

@plugandsocket does that rent include utilities? Can I PM you to discuss? @abcd128 Wow, well that's definitely encouraging Thank you for easing some of m major anxiety

I am sorry you feel this way. My initial reaction was what? you got accepted to three universities and you're still unsure? but when my bite of jealousy subsided I was able to see how you'd be bothered and would wonder what is it that UWM wanted that you didn't have. I was only accepted to one school and had to question their standards if they thought that I'm good enough. But that's not the point. The point is there are humans in those universities. They aren't gods or clairvoyants and I believe making the choice is just as difficult for them since they can't be sure they're betting on the best of the best either. People drop out from the best programs. And succeed in okay programs too. Look up a list of where world's Nobel laureates graduated from and you'll see it's a very broad range of schools. Some of those people got rejections too in their time and someone might have regretted turning down a renown specialist because one of their recommendation letters was not exactly stellar. It's a betting game for everyone, in a way. They way I look at it, it's not worth putting on a pedestal a school that didn't select you. Their rejection doesn't make it unreachably good. It's just that you're not the horse they're betting on and that's okay. Instead, I want the school that chose me to be really really proud of it some day. You can even choose which of the three schools will get to put your picture on their "distinguished alumni" wall.

Oh yay! Thank you. The move has me all sorts of anxious and material worries are the most.. well.. material.

I'm here to revive this thread I have a very specific question. I'm moving to South Bend this fall with my husband who will not be able to work due to visa regulations. We can be pretty frugal, if need may be and I'm a good cook. Would 23K per year be enough for two people? Rent and utilities will pretty much be unchanged. If we go for a $700 studio that will leave us with $14,600 a year, minus tax, for utilities, food and whatever strictly necessary expenses we might have. Will this be enough? I am very worried.

I am 29, married, going to grad school this fall. I am an international student and I do not know much about grad moods and culture, but I can't care less about what others will think about me being married. If anything, I think it's a great asset to bring your best friend with you. You'll know that you have your support with you at all times and that your life is more or less on track. Finding your soulmate is a huge blessing and it's going to be great comfort to you through grad-related hardships. Congratulations!

I wish I could have visited ND! I heard from another applicant that the visit was convincing so now I'm just imagining how it went that it was such a positive experience. Flying across the Atlantic for a few hours would have been ridiculous, so I had an online interview about 2 weeks before the visit day

I didn't get anything from Cornell and seeing how there are no rejections posted, and last year there were announced mid-March, I just assumed the same and scratched Cornell off the list