Sorawit

I don't think this thread is exclusive for international students . Many of us here have some visa-related issues that we talked about on the Facebook page, but I'm sure you are equally as welcome to join if you want. Congratulations on your admission!

That's very interesting. I feel like that would save me some $$ for my note-taking. But at the same time, I honestly feel like digital notebook + handwriting-enabled tablet/PC like Surfaces or iPad would work more seamlessly, despite the higher price. Thoughts?

Let me know if I can still be any help.

@nguyenngocluong I msg'd you. Thanks!

When will y'all start looking for housing? Is anybody looking for roommate(s)?

Well, you won't have to buy a stylus if you do get the Surface. I'm thinking the same. Although I feel like either HP Spectre X360 or Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 260 would give more bang for the buck, mostly because you don't need to buy the keyboard (although you'll have to buy the pen, but they are generally cheaper anyway). But the form factor might be slightly better to use as a laptop, obviously if you intend to spend most of your time in tablet mode it's hard to beat the Surface.

That's all I saw too. But you can check your checklist on applyweb. Your decision should be on there.

Yeah I did last Friday. They said the result should be available "early" this week, hopefully it's today.

sI won't hold out for CMU. I think both programs would be a great fit for me. I just want the time to explore both schools which I now think it's not going to happen. If CMU won't release their decision before April 15th, it's their loss, not mine.

First of all, I admit I might sound paranoid in this post. But I feel like I'm running out of time so I just want to preemptively prepare myself. I'm debating between these two programs that are both supposedly good in the subfields I'm interested in (innovation policy/telecommunication policy). The problem is, CMU still hasn't announce their decision (I told you I'm being paranoid), but I won't have time to do campus visit before I have to decide on GA Tech's offer. Honestly I like the program at GA Tech and the people, I just didn't like Atlanta much based on my two-day school visit. I know I shouldn't make my decision for the next 4-5 years of my live base on where I'll live alone, but then again, I don't know anybody at CMU, the program, or the city. And if I got in, I won't have time to do research on them (I currently live/work in Minneapolis and I don't have $500-$600 lying around to buy the last flight out to Pittsburgh to do that) before April 15th deadline for GA Tech, which I already asked for an extension from March 18th. So, any thoughts? What would you do? On the one hand I kinda wish I got rejected by CMU so I won't have to choose, but on the other, CMU is a good school and EPP is one of the best programs in the field, plus I think I'll probably need less adjustment to moving to Pittsburgh from Minneapolis (culture/weather wise).

I'm also considering Tech as well (still waiting decision from CMU). But congrats to those who have made their decisions

It all comes down to the individual, really. In my first MS year, I lived with 2 masters students and an undergrad. But the two grad roommates were the messier ones. They were quiet folks, just didn't clean after themselves. My current living situation is pretty much like what rising_star describes. My undergrad roommates are very quiet and studious, they also have meal plans at dining halls, so they don't use the kitchen as much as I do, which I'm grateful for. It's definitely possible to find respectful undergrads to live with. However, I did go through a lot search for this place. I was looking to sublease a room so it was easier to find apartment with undergrads closer to campus. At one place, my would-be roommates were honest with me enough to tell me that they would not only drink and do recreational drug most of the nights, but also there would be game parties every weekends. I was grateful that they were honest, really.

Has it changed at all? I know one year is not that long ago, but I rather not get a car if I don't have to. How's the bike culture in Atlanta?

I applied to 5 programs (see my signature), but for CMU and Stony Brook I applied to their Engineering and Public Policy and to the department of technology and society, respectively. Can't wait to hear back from CMU!

I got into public policy field because I want to bring my science background and interests into policy making process. I also love to think about practical solutions that science couldn't satisfy me. I worked as an environmental consultant/researcher for awhile but ran into some regulations that I think didn't make sense. However, what really pushed me to pursue a PhD in public policy is my love for teaching, I really hope someday I could inspire my students to be holistic problem solvers. I kinda feel like I'm being selfish for not exploring other career choice or "get out of school and get a real job" (according to my parents), but I just know this is what I want to do.

Thank you all so much for answering my question!

Thanks! So do you think when we'll have to go to the Embassy and get a new visa then? Or the school's international student services will take care of that.

I just had my master's degree in May 2015 and it's likely that I'll be going back to school for a PhD this coming fall. I am wondering if I have to renew my F-1 VISA or do anything with it. Any thoughts?

I have been using Windows 8 since day one on my HP Windows 7 machine (thus no touch screen) and am still loving it. The learning curve is definitely there but I think Win8 runs smoother and looks simpler. For a new laptop, I think if you have a budget for MBP but don't wanna go Apple route, you can definitely get something equally powerful from any other PC manufacturers. At the price you'll pay, I wouldn't worry about graphic performance if you're looking for a work/casual gaming/entertainment machine.