FreeRider14

For those taking summer courses at BU, I was told by Helaine that the financial aid support is $4,250 (not sure if this is based on my financial app) if you're taking at least 6 credits at BU. However, this hasn't been confirmed with me yet, since I originally applied for the Fall. Has anyone else received this kind of information or fin. aid?

I applied to Dartmouth's Masters program in Engineering Sciences for Fall 2012. The Dartmouth Admissions page, for interviews, says: "Interviews are encouraged for applicants to all graduate programs, but are not required". So did anybody applying to the Masters program interview, and if so, how did it go? Was it helpful? Who did you meet with? I'm thinking Dartmouth will return with decisions for Fall 2012 by the beginning of April. It's mid-March now, so I'm not sure if it makes sense to go, but I just wanted to get some feedback.

I'm applying for a MS degree in biomedical engineering. I have a wide range of interests in the field. If you're applying for an MS, is it typical or the standard to pick a POI or lab that you are very interested in working with. Is that all a part of the process of applying? This school doesn't require interviews, but they "encourage" them. What if I don't go in for an informal interview/meeting with a POI? Is this hurting my chance of acceptance? Yes, I'm interested in a few labs, but I'm not quite sure if there's any committment involved. Meaning, I come in for an interview/meeting, and I'm given acceptance pending that I do my research in Professor XYZ's lab. What if I become interested in something else before I start? I don't want to burn any bridges after receiving an acceptance. I would rather talk to POI(s) after receiving an acceptance. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Yeah sorry, I should clarify in my original post that instead of "interview", I meant "informal meeting". That to me is always acceptable, because you're somebody who needs more answers. In my position, it would be nice to get an in-person feel for the campus, rather than just getting a sense from what you read online. However, let's say if I'm on the fence about if I really need/want to visit the campus, then should I go anyway because I will have the benefit of meeting POIs, which could help improve my chances of acceptance? My gut feeling says, "it won't hurt you", as long as everything goes well, professionally.

I'm applying to seven Masters programs (both M.S. and M.Eng.) in biomedical engineering. Only one of the schools makes a point on their website to say that they send invitations for interviews. My assumption is that the other six schools do not hold interviews for Masters. However, I'm wondering if I should request an informal interview with the other schools, in the meantime, while I'm waiting to hear back. All applications were submitted in mid-December 2011, but weren't due until late December '11/early January '12. Most schools explain that decisions will be sent from March-April. It sounds like it would be beneficial, as long as I come to the interview prepared with a full understanding of the school and program and also bring insightful questions along with me. But how beneficial will it be? Is it typical for Masters applicants in my position and/or area of degree to request an interview, and possibly as a way to help them stand out? Or, will this whole process seem awkward to the program no matter how professional I approach them? Thanks for your thoughts.