sevyn731

I just found out I have advanced standing in my graduate program, meaning my time left in school has been reduced from three years to two. I’d like to spend my last year abroad, but haven’t the slightest idea how to go about it :/ Students in my department are required to complete an international studio, spending at least a semester abroad, but I don’t think I want go to our institute in Prague. Don’t get me wrong I’ve always wanted to visit Prague, I’m just not in love with the idea of moving there during the dead of winter (Dec) and then living there for 6mo. Instead I’ve got my eyes on a few year long urban design programs in London, Melbourne, and Sydney (that would allow me to earn another masters while getting my masters). A good friend of mine studied in Paris last spring, and she told me I should get a jump start on making this happen as there is a ton of paperwork to get done. My friend found a third party organization that helped her find a Parisian university at which she could take classes in her major, whereas I would have to apply to to the universities I’m interested in as an International student (from what I’ve looked up so far). Does anyone from the states have any experience as an international student abroad? I could really use some help trying to figure how to do this. I’m sort of on my own since I’m essentially opting out of my school overseas campus. The date I would (like) to depart is over a year away, but this process is already beginning to feel a bit overwhelming. If anyone, whether you went abroad or have a friend etc who did have some useful advice / could answer a few questions to help get off on the right foot, I would GREATLY appreciate it!

A week ago today I received an email (in response to my inquiry regarding my application status) from the graduate director of my program of interest informing me that the committee has decided to admit me for spring '13. BUT b/c my uGPA is just literally under a 3.0 he's requesting that the main graduate admissions office accept me on a one year provisional basis (if my GPA drops below 3, I'm out). I'm perfectly fine with those conditions seeing as I am absolutely sure their program is direction I want to go in, and during our my interview he mentioned they've admitted several students in the past under these conditions. The problem is it has been a week since I've heard anything and the university will be closed for the holidays next week on up to new years, then the semester starts on Jan 7th. If I've gotten in, I need to register for classes, and get my financial aid straightened out. Luckily unlike the other schools I've been accepted to, housing isn't an issue since my hometown is about thirty minutes from campus so commuting during the first month or so won't be an problem. I'm hesitant about contacting them again to see how things are moving along considering they just finished finals last week and had graduation this past weekend. Experience from originally applying to grad school has taught me that departments are usually pretty busy after a semester ends. I'm afraid of my sense of urgency coming off as impatience. With that being said, I haven't the slightest idea what to write in an email regarding the situation. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. A you can imagine, waiting is killing me...

I'll be paying for the trip. As silly as it may sound, you could say my reason for wanting to go is motivational. I've never been to the school or Chicago, and this summer I'm the closest I'll ever be to both due to my internship. I hate that I can't attend next year, but I feel actually visiting the school will give me a goal to work toward for the next year.

I've been accepted into my second choice school and am extremely excited about it, unfortunately I can't attend next year due to lack of funding. I'm planning on deferring and using this year to apply to scholarships and work. My decision to defer was just made recently, now I have to let the school know. Since my school is in Chicago and I am currently interning in St. Louis, I want to take a trip to visit the school next week to meet with the faculty and tour the facilities. Would it be poor taste to inform the dept of my decision to defer while I'm there?

Low credit score. I had to use my credit card to pay my tuition one summer. My parents were helping me pay it off, but then one of them got laid off and couldn't help any longer. I've been trying to pay it off, but with no steady employment while I was in school it was easier said than done.

I'm definitely finding it hard to lie about getting into grad school, especially since it is a top tier program. If i want to pay off my debts I need to work, so "lie" I must.

I got in to my 2nd choice school not to long ago, but unfortunately wont be able to attend this fall b/c I can't afford my tuition. I can't get a loan due to credit card debt (approx $4k). What I would like to do is spend the next year applying for scholarships and working off my debt, but obviously I need a decent paying job/ year long internship to do so. I'm planning on sending my resume cover letter and work sample to a number of firms and agencies specializing in landscape design and planning, most of them in the city my graduate school is in. Should I note in my resume/cover letter that I will be attending grad school in a year same city or not?

I got in to my 2nd choice school not to long ago, but unfortunately wont be able to attend this fall b/c I can't afford my tuition. I can't get a loan due to credit card debt (approx $4k). What I would like to do is spend the next year applying for scholarships and working off my debt, but obviously I need a decent paying job/internship to do so. I'm planning on sending my resume cover letter and work sample to a number of firms and agencies specializing in landscape design and planning, most of them in the city my graduate school is in. Should I note in my resume/cover letter that I will be attending grad school in a year same city or not?

Two weeks ago I had a phone interview with the program director of my second choice school. It turns out the decisions are being made late because he was teaching in Boston this past semester. Overall I believe it went well considering he sent multiple emails expressing how much he enjoyed our conversation, and providing resources I should follow to help prepare for the fall if I am admitted. Although he did admit he was concerned about my gpa which is a little lower (due to a few struggles from my freshman and sophomore year) than that of student's normally admitted into the program. He found it encouraging that my academic performance is in an upswing after I sent sending a copy of my most recent transcript. He later messaged me to inform me that the other members of the adcom would have to be consulted before a final decision is made, which I can expect to hear very soon. Since this was about a week ago, should I send a followup email? Since this is my second choice school after all, I want to do whatever I can to get in without sounding desperate or begging. Should I send anything or just wait for the final say?

I've received my budget from the school I will be attending this fall and I have not been offered ANY aid besides federal loans (and I'm still close to $40k away from what I'll need). Calling financial aid wasn't much help as it turns out I'll have to resort to private/ gradPLUS loans to pick up the slack. I'm moving to Boston and from my research the cost of living is outrageous there. It really doesn't help that for the first summer in years I am unemployed (in the past I've had a decently paying federal internship in D.C, but there was no budget to hire us back this year), trying to find a decent paying job(s) is proving most difficult and I am running out of time. Worst case scenario, I'm thinking of taking out a small loan to cover moving expenses, etc until my school disperses my refund (which could take up to 6 weeks after the first day of class). I absolutely hate the idea of having to finance my graduate education with loans, even if it's just my first year until I can find an alternative source of funding. I'm in a position where I need to earn an advanced degree in my field if I want to make a decent living doing what I love. Sadly my undergraduate program cut a lot of corners as the major is being eliminated leaving me terribly unqualified for a lot of available jobs. Would anyone have any helpful advice? I can use all the help I can get.

I've received my budget from the school I will be attending this fall and I have not been offered ANY aid besides federal loans (and I'm still close to $40k away from what I'll need). Calling financial aid wasn't much help as it turns out I'll have to resort to private/ gradPLUS loans to pick up the slack. I'm moving to Boston and from my research the cost of living is outrageous there. It really doesn't help that for the first summer in years I am unemployed (in the past I've had a decently paying federal internship in D.C, but there was no budget to hire us back this year), trying to find a decent paying job(s) is proving most difficult and I am running out of time. Worst case scenario, I'm thinking of taking out a small loan to cover moving expenses, etc until my school disperses my refund (which could take up to 6 weeks after the first day of class). I absolutely hate the idea of having to finance my graduate education with loans, even if it's just my first year until I can find an alternative source of funding. I'm in a position where I need to earn an advanced degree in my field if I want to make a decent living doing what I love. Sadly my undergraduate program cut a lot of corners as the major is being eliminated leaving me terribly unqualified for a lot of available jobs. Would anyone have any helpful advice? I can use all the help I can get.

My younger brother is preparing for the fall 2013 application season and I thought it would be wise to begin by contacting a faculty member in the department he is interested in (Computer Science/Human Computer Interfacing). He's worried (sometimes depressed) that his GPA is too low (3.1+) to get into ANY of the 'big name' schools he's interested in. I feel he has great potential considering the number of innovative projects he's taken on outside of class, his knowledge and passion for his chosen field, and his work experience. Not to mention I'm sure he'll ace the GRE as he has no difficulty taking tests and we've been studying daily to take it this summer. Honestly I don't want him to settle for less and not apply to his dream school(s) at all (as long as he has a good amount of safety schools to apply to). Within the next week we'll be in Atlanta, and he's agreed to try to meet with a someone from his department of interest at Georgia Tech, but as I mentioned before, he should call or send an email requesting to meet with someone as opposed to just showing up. Right now he's struggling with what to say/ask when he does finally make first contact. Can anyone offer some advice?

Literally 2 points. And I'd appreciate any help. I'm about to stock up on as many resources as I can. Any suggestions on study recourses for the math portion?

I've decided that I am going to do the retake late next month. The director wishes me the best of luck and is excited to see the results (his words). Given how stressful and mentally/emotionally taxing this app season has been, my gut is telling me not to pass up on a opportunity like this. Hopefully I can pull this off in the next month. Wish me luck!!! And yes, my writing score is two points away from the set minimum. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Soon as my finals are over next week I'm knuckling down.

Yes, I'd rather receive a rejection sooner rather than later.

My goal is to get into a Master of Landscape Architecture [MLA] program and then pursue a Masters in Urban Design [MUD]. Most MUD programs require I hold a professional degree in Architecture, Landscape Arch, or Urban Planning in order to apply/enroll, UNC Charlotte is the exception to that trend. Since I've been rejected by one school, and haven't heard back from any of the other MLA programs I've applied to, UNC Charlotte is looking pretty good as a plan B. It's only a year long, I'd be In-state, learning something I love, I'd have time to retake the GRE if I got in, and I'd get to go to China next summer. All positives if I end up re applying to MLA programs for Fall '13. At the beginning of the fall '12 app season, I got an email from the program director stating how he was excited to see that I was applying and we have been corresponding via email ever since.I got an email from him today telling me that my GRE writing score is too low, and my math score could be a better. Because of this I will be put on the wait list unless I retake the test and submit a portfolio with more work samples in it(no problem on the second part). He's willing to extend the deadline beyond May 1st and make a case for admission for me. As awesome as this is, one does not simply retake the GRE. I'm afraid taking it within the next month won't give me enough time to study in order to get a good score. Not to mention after spending close to $1000 this app season, I honestly don't have $160 laying around to register. Hate to sound like I'm complaining, but the situation seem to be a bit of a gamble given the short prep time I'd have for a retake. It also seems I haven't completely given up on the remaining schools I've applied to. Any advice?

I'm still waiting to hear back myself. I was told by the dept I applied to a few weeks back decisions would be made by mail.

But I can say this week has been pretty stress free for me. So with the exception of two schools that have late deadlines, I figure I've been wait-listed at the remaining institutions I've applied to. I spoke with the grad coordinator in my prospective dept. at USC a few weeks ago, and was told all of my materials were being reviewed and that I would receive notification via snail mail. [After looking at the results board, seems USC is subjecting many to this form of torture]. About two weeks ago Illinois Tech's status system switched from a check list of received docs, letters, and materials to a message stating the department's adcom is reviewing my application and I would receive my decision via email from the department. Since Decision Day is this week, I've concluded that none of the dept's are going to make any decisions until they know for certain who is going to decline their offers of admission. Knowing there isn't anything I can do until next week has been kind of nice. Oh but come Tuesday...

Yup, FSU & FAMU for Architecture and Urban Planning The waiting is killing me. Feels like my soul is beginning to rot out.. my sentiments exactly!!

Luckily my 2nd Choice had a neat check list on the application letting me know what materials had been received. Once everything is accounted for, its all sent to the AdCom. I've been corresponding with the department chair at my third choice, he's been quite helpful especially when it came to my portfolio. And finally, the Grad Coordinator at my 2nd safety hasn't hesitated to let me know if there was anything else I need to submit (ugrd course descriptions, fin aide docs, etc) I'm just glad I thought to contact my 1st choice or else I would have never known about the missing fee waiver docs or transcript..

I am about to LOSE IT! A few weeks ago I called my first choice to confirm if my supplemental materials had arrived (Portfolio) only to be informed by the grad admissions coordinator that the school hadn't received my transcripts. She'd asked if I'd sent them to the general grad admissions office as opposed to directly to the school, which I had. I found this strange considering on the admissions page for my program, applicants are instructed - in big bold letters - NOT to send our transcripts directly to the school, but the general admissions office instead. Later that evening after receiving an email from the coordinator, informing the "problem" had been fixed, another one showed its ugly head. Turns out my application Fee waiver documentation had been lost, and until my app was paid for I couldn't receive any decisions if they were made. I was a bit pissed considering I sent all of that in with my application back in November. Luckily I had made copies and faxed it off the next day, too bad I had to wait a week before it had processed T~T. Fast forward to this week as I continue to struggle on waiting patiently, I was out to lunch with a friend when my phone pinged letting me know I had an email and FINALLY I had gotten a message from my "safety" school informing me that " A decision has been made!!" but I would have to check my application for the final decision. The ApplyYourself system REFUSED to open properly on my phone so I rushed home to check on my pc. Umm... I saw nothing there, so I just called the dept. only to be told that I had not been admitted. As of right now, I AM FREAKING OUT b/c the remaining schools I applied to have really high standards that I may not meet. My portfolio is good, and I have amazing recommendations and intern experience but my uGPA is average (but will improve since I am taking grad classes now to prepare for the fall), my GRE scores are "Okay" for the guinea pig class on the new scoring scale, and thinking back, my SoP could have been much better. I really just want to hear a (well formulated) decision so begin figuring out what to do next....

So far I've applied to four 3yr Master of Landscape Architecture programs (USC, Illinois Tech, City College of New York, and Boston Architectural College) and one Master of Urban Design (UNC Charlotte). My first choice is USC, but I'm not feeling too confident about getting in due to my 'okay for a first attemp' GRE score and my 2.8 uGPA. Although I keep falling for this romantic notion that my portfolio, work experience and recommendations just might get me in, but this way of thinking may lead to my downfall. What schools have you applied to so far? Was the process of putting your portfolio together stressful at all?

So far I've applied to four 3yr Master of Landscape Architecture programs (USC, Illinois Tech, City College of New York, and Boston Architectural College) and one Master of Urban Design (UNC Charlotte). My first choice is USC, but I'm not feeling too confident about getting in due to my 'okay for a first attemp' GRE score and my 2.8 uGPA. Although I keep falling for this romantic notion that my portfolio and stellar recommendations just might get me in, but this way of thinking may lead to my downfall. What schools have you applied to so far? Was the process of putting your portfolio together stressful at all?