MCS_aspirant

BS in Aerospace Engineering, BS in Physics, Minor in Mathematics (a top US public university) GPA: 3.99/4.00 (Both of my majors GPAs are 4.0) GRE: 650/800/4.5 (V/Q/Q) TOEFL: 117/120 Research experience. Lab A: 3 years in a space science lab (2 summers) Lab B: 1.5 years in a dark energy research lab (1 summer) In freshman year, worked on a student team design project (but I don't think it was "research"). Currently working in both the labs. Awards:Important one is: one of the top 3 juniors in the engineering college. Others:Advanced coursework: completed 1/2 of the requirements of a Masters degree as an undergrad. One semester study abroad. 2 months of work abroad. Working as an academic adviser for 2 years now. LORs: Research adviser in lab A (see "Research experience" above). Professor under whom I took a graduate class in my junior year. Work supervisor (a PhD) for my advising job. Publications: [*]NIL. But one article in an undergraduate research journal. Stuff I don't have: [*]Never did any research outside the university. Limited industrial experience. [*]Don't have any contact with any professor at MIT. And thank you AbaNader. It would be a shame if I don't get to go there for not getting any funding.

Got into MIT MechE, but very confused about financial aid. They said- all the students are admitted without assistantship, and later matched with advisors. Now, what happens if they don't find a match? Do I need to pay on my own (which is not going to happen)?

41% with 700+ verbal score? I was dancing with my 650 ...

I don't have any specific info, may be someone who knows more about those schools can help. I would rely on last years results survey again http://thegradcafe.com/survey/ Just search something like "Purdue aero* " (without quotations but with the asterisk) on that page assuming you haven't use it before. I find it very helpful. Good luck!

In most of the cases, you can't send documents that are not required (e.g. experience certificate). It is highly discouraged, and clearly stated on most of the schools' websites. Just talk about your achievements in your SOP, and describe your position on your resume/vitae. It may be relevant to indicate full time/part time on the resume. However, if your research advisor is writing you a letter, he/she would cover these things in his/her letter too. I am an international student too with an undergrad degree from a US university. I have worked at several labs, but never had any certificate... I guess experience certificate is more like an south asian thing (I am not sure where you are from though, but in south asia- certificates are very critical).

I haven't gotten any PhD call from Stanford. Also, I am starting Masters with intent to continue to PhD. Stanford won't give a direct PhD offer. I am not sure how long it takes. But last year's decision dates may be helpful to reduce your anxiety a bit. Caltech: http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=caltech+aero* Princeton: http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=princeton+aero*&t=a&pp=25 And you got a call from MIT? That's an achievement dude. Best of luck!

A friend of mine who applied for MS (since he can't apply for a direct PhD to Stanford with only BSc) has already gotten a rejection mail (postal mail). The process for PhD applicants are different may be. And U-Michigan hasn't formally sent out decisions yet (as far as I know) unless under some special circumstances. They would take a while (early-mid March) based on last year's decision dates.

I heard back in December, but that's because I was in that professor's graduate class. You probably know that at Michigan, the professor gets to decide almost everything regarding admission.

Have you already got the letter? I assume you know about your funding only after getting the letter. At least, this is how it works for U-Michigan. Not sure how Stanford works. Can anyone clarify on this?

space shuttle

I am also an international student, but did my undergrad in the USA. I know for a fact that most universities weigh the GREs of international students on a different scale (after researching many universities' websites). I am pretty sure your TOEFL score will at least work as an evidence that you can speak English. To answer the original question, I would reassert what some other people have said. Verbal score doesn't matter (outside humanities) even though a horrible score can hurt. As long as you are above a certain threshold (500ish in the old GRE), you are fine. Verbal matters a lot, but not "GRE Verbal". The words that are thrown out in the GRE will never show up in any scholarly article (at least not in engineering or science).

basic instinct

I just got the email. The email said they will send a formal letter with details by March 15. However, I am an international student, but am doing my undergrad here in the US. There is no form in my email, it asks me to RSVP by emailing some guy. Thank you for the information though. I will wait to hear back from other schools, and decide whether to visit Stanford.

bump

mouse pad

I got into Stanford's aero-astro MSc program with intent to continue for PhD. I got an email invitation to their visit day. Does anyone know who pays for the travel expenses? The email doesn't say anything about it, it only asks you to RSVP. I definitely want to visit, but sometimes it looks cost-prohibitive (I am in another corner of the US).

I won't expect to get back to me on the same day. I would give at least 1 week time. However, it also depends on the type of reply you gave. I am not sure what you wrote in the email. But if you responded politely showing ample flexibility, I won't worry.

Well, if you are applying for Fall 2012 (as your profile says), all the deadlines are already gone (at least for the top 5 schools: MIT, Caltech, Stanford, Princeton, Gatech and U-Michigan). So what's the point of bothering about these? I honestly don't get it...

I would also certainly mention it. Good luck!

I am super optimistic 5 acceptances 2 rejections (or Masters offer or no funding)

Lol, I agree, it's a little too much. No pun intended

George Bush had a 2.35 GPA at Yale.

After taking GRE, I was extremely excited for getting done with one hell of a test. I got down at the wrong bus-stop and had to walk 1 hour to get back to my apartment. My most pleasant walk ever

I used Barrons, and in my case, each and every word was from Barrons. May be I got lucky. English is not my first language, but I had a decent score (93%) in verbal for engineering programs. I would go for Barrons and ETS official guide, if you are still seeking advice.

You cannot apply to american universities with FCE. Very few universities may accept it. I would take TOEFL, but IELTS should also work. GRE or GMAT is nowhere close to IELTS. IELTS measures the English speaking/writing/reading abilities of ESL (English as a second language) people. GRE and GMAT are for everyone (native and non-native) and measure quantitative and verbal abilities. Lastly, these are not certificates, they are standardized tests with a validity of 2 or 5 years.