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Just to let you know: Madison will be meeting in late January to decide about the students that applied to the program.

Hi! I wanted to get some input about my possibilities in gaining admission to top 10 PhD programs in computer science (subfield: machine learning). I'm definitely a nontraditional student as I have a rather odd academic profile. Basically, during the first 3 years of my undergrad, I had accumulated what can only be described as a terrible GPA (~2.3). I would skip classes, fail to deliver assignments, and eventually would have to ace tests just to get a pass. I was, in every sense of the word, a failure in the world of academics. During my senior year, I started becoming passionate about pursuing research and subsequently started to realize how deeply my GPA is going to screw my chances of ever getting into graduate school. As such, during senior year, I started taking things seriously and managed to get As and B+s in most of my courses. I then started to work on research-oriented projects and, through faculty recommendations, I got into a masters program at the only research university in my country (all while being fully funded as an RA/TA). During my studies, I managed to gain some decent research experience and it's safe to say that my supervisor considers me to be one of his better students (i.e. could possibly get some great recommendations). I finally finished my masters degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA and was the class topper for my graduate class and was honored by the prime minister during graduation. Despite all this, I didn't have the courage or self-confidence to apply to any PhD program (even though I desperately wanted to pursue a research career). Eventually, I was convinced by some colleagues to at least apply to some "safety" (i.e. top 100) schools if I'm indeed too scared of getting rejections, which I did. Surprisingly, I managed to get into all programs that I've applied to despite my deepest fears of getting nowhere. While I was elated, this also got me thinking about my chances of getting into top PhD programs in the US. I'm currently working on publishing two papers based on the work that I did during my masters, and I was wondering if this can (in any way) help circumvent my abysmal undergrad GPA for top-ranked programs? I'll detail below the pros and cons of my profile from my pov, and list the possible options that I have. Cons: -abysmal undergrad GPA (sub 3.0) from unranked university (although it's the top univ in my country for undergrad studies) -some okish research internships, but nothing extraordinary -currently no papers published Pros: -high grad GPA (4.0) and class valedictorian (this school is also unranked but it's the only research university in my country) -at least 2 great LoRs -decent research experience -near perfect GRE/TOEFL scores (I'm assuming this doesn't count for much, as these are largely cut-off based in high ranking institutions) -possibly 2 papers published in mid-ranked conferences before application season (although this is a BIG if - I could just as easily end up with zero publications) I feel that at this point I have the following options: 1) reject all offers and just focus on getting published (this will save me quite a bit of time and might increase my chances of successfully publishing my articles) 2) reject all offers and try to get a spot as an RA at a high-ranking institution abroad 3) accept one of the current PhD offers and try to improve academic profile and then transfer later (note that this is a bit difficult as my offers are all from EU PhD programs, so I won't have the option of waiting for two years to finish an M.Sc. and then leave) 4) be content with getting into a low-ranked PhD program and move on What do you guys think? Is my profile too hopeless that I should just consider option 4?

Someone I know got their rejection results from UBC in an actual mailed letter.

I have a problem with acne and contact dermatitis. I want to blend my own cream by mixing a Hydrocortisone cream and a Benzoyl Peroxide cream so that I can handle both at the same time. My question is, is there any chemical interaction between the two active ingredients that may weaken or nullify either or both? I don't want to waste my time (and $) if so. Thanks!

The reason why I'm applying to grad school has nothing to do with money or job prospects though. My end goal is to become an academic someday, if given the chance. To do so means a PhD first, which this MA is suppose to be a setpping stone for.

Hi, it's my first post, I hope everyone will be gentle. So I had a terrible undergrad with a 2.5GPA. I reformed my ways and came back to school after working for a year or two, yielding a last 60-credit GPA average of 3.0. GRE was above average. Published work by alma mater, but not publication per se. Applied to three schools (two out-of-state, one in-state), all masters (as I'm told I'm in no shape for a PhD), got into one but with no funding of any sort at all. I'm facing out-of-state tutition, on-campus accomodation, and such costs that would completely obliterate the $90,000 I hold in savings in 2 years. Is this the best I can do, or should I reapply to more places this year? This time around I could have the article actually published, GRE improved, and be certified proficient in a langauge skill I hope to use in future research. If I must self-fund, I would prefer masters in-state, and finally out-of-state for PhD. Grades expectation is nothing but A's going forward from since I came back. Area is city planning.

Hi, it's my first post, I hope everyone will be gentle. So I had a terrible undergrad with a 2.5GPA. I reformed my ways and came back to school after working for a year or two, yielding a last 60-credit GPA average of 3.0. GRE was above average. Published work by alma mater, but not publication per se. Applied to three schools (two out-of-state, one in-state), all masters (as I'm told I'm in no shape for a PhD), got into one but with no funding of any sort at all. I'm facing out-of-state tutition, on-campus accomodation, and such costs that would completely obliterate the $90,000 I hold in savings in 2 years. Is this the best I can do, or should I reapply to more places this year? This time around I could have the article actually published, GRE improved, and be certified proficient in a langauge skill I hope to use in future research. If I must self-fund, I would prefer masters in-state, and finally out-of-state for PhD. Grades expectation is nothing but A's going forward from since I came back. Area is city planning.