adelashk

Argh anon1 again. No, the best you can do is #1. You just have to make a decision whether it is worth waiting another year or not. If you do end up waiting another year to reapply make sure you spend the year doing really interesting research, and even then someone will always argue that you're still not good enough for #1. Also, don't apply to schools you don't want to go to as is the case for your #14 acceptance.

If you choose an advisor out of the professors interested in advising you... What would you say? Should I email my decision to both in a single email or should I address each in a separate email? Really worried that I would get caught up in politics or end up creating an enemy especially that one professor is more enthusiastic about me than the other (not the one I am choosing)

Many people know where UCLA/UCSD is because the name gives it away. I bet a lot of people do not know where in California Caltech is or where Carnegie Mellon is (besides the fact that it's in the midwest). This should not be an indicator of a program's prestige or strength. Needless to say, UCLA/UCSD are highly respected not only on the west coast but around the world. I agree that going to UCLA/UCSD would help a lot in finding a job on the west coast but it is not a leg up on graduates from HYPC through personal experience. Most of the people I worked with in California did not come from UCLA/UCSD but from random universities and they had some local connections in California. The rankings are a slight indication so when you see Columbia ranked #15 it does not mean it is way better than UCLA (if it was ranked lower) but it tells you it has the potential of the same university. I passed on an opportunity to go to a top 10 school but choose a top 15 school because of the specific research area and faculty available. Agreed. Also, OP should have applied to schools where she really wants to go.. So she should have done a lot of research in to what research/faculty is available at UCSD vs UCLA. If you go to MIT/Stanford and suck at research it's way way worse than going to a top 30 school and doing amazing. These things matter.

Thanks for the replies everyone, this is not an easy decision. The first advisor's research is in the area I am very familiar with yet I feel like he is a bit more distant. The other advisor is in a very specific research area that is not very popular yet he seems more chill. I think I am leaning towards the first advisor since I should not pursue something that just looks more laid back, that defies the purpose of why I applied to graduate school in the first place! Thanks again for the insight.

Thanks for the informative reply. I believe the class has another TA and my motivation was not purely to impress my advisor but to actually be a part of teaching this course. I think I will go ahead with it, especially since I am extremely familiar with the material.

Has anyone had an experience of TAing a class their first semester (as a PhD student)? I am very familiar with the material but never took the course and my potential advisor is pushing me to TA the class if I am "up for the challenge." I think it is a great opportunity and could be a fun experience.. I would like to prove to my advisor that I am up for the challenge but at the same time I am afraid to disappoint by refusing. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

Hello all, It has been a while since I last posted something on TGC. I am deciding between a couple of advisors who are willing to advise me. How would I choose between advisors? What are the most important factors after research area? Should I consider the fact that one area might be easier (in terms of advisor difficulty/expectations)? What about advisor's background and reputation? Any factors I have not mentioned? (assume funding is not an issue/factor) Thanks

I know for a fact that someone was rejected from a top 10 CS school due to his 3-Year degree. They specified that was the reason why his admission was revoked. You might have a chance at top 30 schools.

Thanks isobel!

I am expected to work with only one professor. I guess I will go ahead with the interviews and be honest if I was asked what my preference is (or better say I have yet to decide). Thanks all!

Should I mention to professor B and C that I am looking at two other professors at the same school? I don't want to mislead professors.

Hello all, I am in a confusing situation. A month ago, I was interviewed by professor A and we got along really well. Later, I receive an email from Professor B from the same school asking me if I had a preference and if I was interested in his research. I mentioned I am open to exploring all fields. Then, I receive an email from Professor A saying he recommended my acceptance. Now, my preference is professor's A research. However I also received an email from a 3rd professor C. What to do in this situation? Is it unethical to still interview with Prof B and C? Is it rude to decline the interviews? All I want is an acceptance from the school, with the preference to work under prof A, then B, then C. Thanks

Hello all, I have a couple of questions regarding admittance. I recently interviewed with a professor and later on he sent an email saying he put in the word to accept me. How gauranteed is the acceptance? How long does it take until I receive the official letter? Second question, if I do not get interviewed by any professor at a certain school does it automatically mean that I am rejected? I.e. Do PhD adcomms interview all candidates they accept?

First of all, "you dun goofed up." Second of all, out of curiosity how did you manage to find shelter and food being on a 6-year break? Now to your question, I think what is worse than having nothing to show is showing no commitment. I think it is all about how you word it in your SoP. However, to be fair to reality.. You do have a weak case, not an impossible one. If I were you I would continue with the foreign language degree and then apply to master's possibly after getting some work or research experience. Part of it is to give a compelling reason why you want to do a grad degree in EE.

Thanks newms