Gatech_ST

Are you being interviewed by the committee or specific professor you are interested in?
 
I would prepare for the general usual questions if it was a committee (Why PhD, Why [School]? why [Interest]?..), also consider dropping names of professors that interests you with reasons. Do not only restrict your interest to a single professor, it is usually a bad sign.  
 
For a lab interview I will personally review the professor papers, at very least read his/her abstract, and try to connect that with possible future direction that line with your interest.

One of the best advice I got is not to compare yourself with others, everyone is on their own pace.
Beside, part of the PhD journey is learning, I don't think you are expected to know everything from the start
 

Don't worry, many were in similar boat,. Your professor has been good to you and you are just interested in different topic, he/she shouldn't take offense.
The first thing I would advice you is to really know what you want to do, this way you can clearly articulate that to your adviser. You will look much better then simply telling them that you are not interested in their work, as you might come off as lost.. He/she might even help you suggest a colleague or a collaboration of some sort. 
Research what other faculties/labs are doing in your department/school. Hopefully you will find interesting sub field and then you can email them and ask for interview. I would ask for possible research project available and try to do well in them.
 
Good luck!

I would love to hear from people who are learning a new language and how they incorporated that during PhD.!
I found myself pushing my lessons to the bottom of the stack, but I try to get into tandem.net and iTalk at least once a week.
How to motivate yourself to continue and how is it working for you so far?
 
 

That is totally fine, and beside, you can simply walk into the school and check the campus yourself and the area around it yourself if they couldn't arrange something official for you (assuming it is legal hah )
 

Hello, thank you for the feedback. In last year's application, i did tailor my statement according to each specific university, but probably it's not the right fit or does not sound strong enough. Right, I am trying to see this as a journey to improve my preparedness in getting into a a PhD program. Hopefully things will work out this year. Thanks

I would like to add that If you are applying for PhD I would say the lab/professor is much more important than the actual rank of the university. Also who they collaborate with within and outside the university and where they publish.  

I knew some people who negotiated their offers that way and they were able to extend the deadline set by the two schools they got accepted to after they hear from the third schools.
I guess, it the schools you are hearing from is high in your preference? I would definitely email them and get the deadline extended
I'm still surprised that some schools have their deadline much earlier than April! Good luck!

There should be an official deadline to accept your offer, you can also negotiate extending it if you are still waiting for the other. Yeah you can attend the events, they are made to convince people to join! you will also have a chance to interact with other students and faculty  

Congrats on getting accepted!
Some professors are really bad with emails and they get plenty, since you got in you are able to join the visit day and hopefully found him or their students there. 
But do not limit your POI to a single person per university, hopefully there is more than one
Email them again, go to visit day, and possible schedule an interview
 
Also which program/university you got in ?
 
Good luck!

Congrats on the scholarship !
I was in similar boat, it should not hurt but you do get considered on some schools that hand out unfunded acceptance for PhD (which are usually considered as soft rejection).
For labs/professors, if they have time and you impressed them enough, it will certainly increases your chances of getting into their team. Many of the professors I was interested in didn't have any funding left to accept any new applicants.
You,should, however, make sure that you mention that you are fully funded when contacting professors/in your SOP etc!
 
Best of luck!

Anyone applying for UIUC Mechanical Engineering? I just got accepted and I would like to meet people there
 
It will be my first time in the US and I’m excited!

There should be an official deadline to accept your offer, you can also negotiate extending it if you are still waiting for the other. Yeah you can attend the events, they are made to convince people to join! you will also have a chance to interact with other students and faculty