pitz2

Thank you for answering. I don't have anything to hide, I just want to be prepared for the interview. I know it's easy for a european to get F1 visa and I'm not going to work there, anyway, during my PhD because I don't have time. The thing is that I don't know yet if I will look for a (legal) job in Italy or there after my PhD and I don't think that it's so unusual for who goes to study in the U.S.. But they want you to demonstrate that you will come back in your country after graduation, so having a girlfriend from there puts me in a bad position about it. What I wanted to know is if they asked you what you did during your trips in the states and how deep they go. My problem is that I have been there for Christmas too and I can't just say that I was there for a normal vacation.

Caro Vito, I'm Italian too and I have the same problem. I was admitted for a PhD in the states and I have to go to the visa interview soon. I'm worrying about the fact that I have been in the states 5 times in the last 2 years to visit my girlfriend (she is american). I was thinking too that if they ask me about it I believe that deliberately lie it's not a good idea. I would like to know more about your interview experience. Thank you

Hi, I'm an Italian student and I was accepted in a PhD program in the states. Recently I figured out that I can't be there for all the duration of a PhD because of personal problems and so I wanted to switch program into a master. I haven't passed through all the admission process yet. At this school both Phd and master are funded. I guess that a master student is less appealing for a university than a PhD ones, because it's not going to do research in the school after his formation. So, when a university pick someone it's more important the applicant or what he wants to do? And when is the best time to tell them that I want to switch? I'm afraid that telling them that now will make them change their mind about their pick, and I don't want this to happen. Thank you Pietro P.S. Consider that I need an american degree because my girlfriend is from there. So not doing it at all is not an option.

I have a similar problem. I was picked for a PhD program with full funding, but I haven't been through all the admission process yet. I just got the email of notification. I recently figured out that for personal problems I can't be there for all the duration of the PhD. Since the MS if funded too at that university should I ask them to switch program into that now or will they refuse my admission if I do that? Or should I just do it and then leave after 2/3 years with a MS? Consider that I'm an international student and that I need an american degree to be able to work in the States, where my girlfriend is. P.S. I'm also a chem student but I like this topic. Sorry for the intromission

I need an American degree to be able to work in the States, where my girlfriend is. That's why I wanted anyway to do it. It's not a problem of money. I just wanted to figure out if it's possible to switch program and when it's the best time to do that.

I have kind of the same problem. I'm an Italian student. Right after I finished my BS in Italy I applied for a PhD in the states. I recently figured out that for personal problems I can't be there for all the duration of a PhD. Now I know I was accepted for a PhD program and I want to switch in a MS. Can I switch into a MS from PhD? And when is the best timing for doing it? Would they refuse my admission if I ask them now, before my official admission, to switch? P.S. I'm only 23 so maybe I can do my PhD later in my life. Is it possible? Is it so bad to not do a PhD at my age?