Boston University LEAP Program

[RAV_23]

I found a place for spring, but it's a temp sublet until the end of May; if anyone is subletting now and needs a place for June onward, we can work something out!

 

How did you find a place for spring? How close is it to the main campus? 

[vincent.barilla]

Hey all! I posted this to the facebook page, figured I'd put it up here too: 

 

Hey guys! Have any of you received your course planning sheet for phase 1 in biomedical? I'm hoping to take courses that apply to both BME and ME tracks this Spring, so that I can choose between the two paths after exploring them through my first semester, but at the moment I only have my ME planning sheet. It's been tough to track down this info from the advisers/admins. I'm hoping someone here can help me out. Thanks a lot, much appreciated!

 

Any help would be so welcome. Thanks!!

[DMGirl]

Hey, guys! Congrats to everyone who got in for the Spring semester. I'm so excited for you guys!

 

I just applied for Fall admission (though I intend to take classes in the summer if I get accepted). I've been following this thread for a little over a year and it has given me so much information about LEAP. I'm so grateful for this forum and I hope I will be able to meet most of you who are in LEAP in the summer. 

[Morpheos]

Hello, I am interested in getting feedback from the forum on the viability of my possible application to the BU LEAP program this Janaury for the Fall 2013 semester. See below:

 

I am a 26 year old man living in eastern Connecticut. I am a college graduate, from University of Connecticut, Economics (2009). I also was accepted into the MA in Economics program at Uconn in 2009 after completing my undergraduate but left voluntarily before the end of the first semester because I was unhappy with my performance on some exams, losing interest in the field, etc.

Since leaving college I have been employed in a variety of low to intermediate skill capacities, primarily in the manufacturing sector. I am interested in mechanical systems and problem solving and desire to enter higher skilled work in the manufacturing process / product engineering areas. I would like to major in either materials science or mechanical engineering.

During my undergraduate at Uconn I took Calculus I (I believe I got a C+ during my freshman year in 2005) and some courses in statistics and econometrics. My overall undergraduate GPA was 3.24/4.00.

I felt that my mathematics proficiency should be better developed / demonstrated before applying to an engineering program. So this fall, 2013, I completed Netmath 231 from the University of Illinois, equivalent to Calculus II. This lessons and homework in this course are based around Mathematica notebooks but the exams are traditional pen and paper tests. I received an A in the course and favourable feedback from my U of I mentors. This winter, starting within a week or two, I am planning on taking, self-paced Netmath 241 from U of I. This is equivalent to Calculus III or vector calculus.
 

I took the GRE in the summer of 2009, after graduating college, and did reasonably well scoring 720Q / 700V and near perfect in the written argument section.
 

I do not have any undergraduate debt.

 

I am potentially interested in applying to the LEAP program at BU for fall of 2014, probably in either materials science or mechanical subdisciplines. I understand the application deadline is January 15th, 2014. I am writing this email to attempt to gauge the likelihood of my application's success given the information I have shared. An area I have some concern about is getting two good letters of recommendation since I have been out of school for a number of years. I could possibly get letters from my Netmath mentors at the University of Illinois. I am not sure how strong these would be, because I only knew them from an online, self-paced course, although I did make a favourable impression.

Please feel free to provide me any feedback that you think will be useful in my decision process of whether to apply to a LEAP program before January 15th given my circumstances.

 

I wrote that email to the BU ENG grad. admissions office. They replied asking me to call them but I was also interested in hearing some feedback from other's interested in LEAP who are using the gradcafe forum.

 

Thanks...

[atomicwest]

RAV_23  I'm actually going to live in Cambridge; the place I'm subletting is about 1.5 miles away from BU so it's about a 30-40min walk. The 47 bus is close by and it's a 5-10 min ride to campus. I mass-messaged LEAPers on facebook and got a response pretty fast; did you get the email from Isabel Tereso? She was talking about someone needing another roommate in a house. Actually, this email was sent over a week ago, sorry for the late response! I've also emailed people on craigslist who were offering rooms/sublets. Let me know if youd like more info about the place; I'm either going to have to find an extra roommate or two at the end of May or look for another apt

 

Morpheos I would say that you have a good chance of getting in; the base requirement for LEAP is a B or higher in any college-level calculus class so you should already be elligible. I think students who have already completed or are in the process of completing the core math (calc 1 - differential eq) and physics (I/II) have a stronger application, so maybe try taking physics at a community college next semester? With regards to letters of rec, I'm pretty sure your mentors would be fine; it's not like LEAP requires the recommenders to be all university faculty. The application is evaluated hollistically anyway and you've shown initiative with your UoI work, which might also be something you can sprinkle into your SoP

 

DMGirl best of luck! what department did you apply for?

 

btws just curious for those going into spring, anyone figure out their class schedule yet?

[DMGirl]

I applied for Electrical Engineering: I want to concentrate in Electronics and take a few Software Engineering courses. I'm interesting in becoming an Embedded Systems Engineer so I can design both the hardware and software for electronics.

I've already taken Physics I as well as just about every math course I'll need (Calculus I, II, and III, Differential Equations, Real Analysis I and II, etc) since I was a Math and Politics double-major.

I was hoping I could take Engineering Computation, Physics II, and Electric Circuits in the summer However, the schedules for Physics II and Electric Circuits conflict, so I wouldn't be able to take them at the same time. Are the schedules for the summer courses subject to change? Is there a possibility that they will add more lecture sessions?

Also, I've heard that Physics II is a co-requisite for Electric Circuits, but I've also heard that Electric Circuits can be taken without Physics II. Which is true? Any clarification anyone can provide on this matter would be very much appreciated.

[StaNg72]

I applied for Electrical Engineering: I want to concentrate in Electronics and take a few Software Engineering courses. I'm interesting in becoming an Embedded Systems Engineer so I can design both the hardware and software for electronics.

I've already taken Physics I as well as just about every math course I'll need (Calculus I, II, and III, Differential Equations, Real Analysis I and II, etc) since I was a Math and Politics double-major.

I was hoping I could take Engineering Computation, Physics II, and Electric Circuits in the summer However, the schedules for Physics II and Electric Circuits conflict, so I wouldn't be able to take them at the same time. Are the schedules for the summer courses subject to change? Is there a possibility that they will add more lecture sessions?

Also, I've heard that Physics II is a co-requisite for Electric Circuits, but I've also heard that Electric Circuits can be taken without Physics II. Which is true? Any clarification anyone can provide on this matter would be very much appreciated.

 

Circuits can definitely be taken without Physics II, but I would highly recommend acquainting yourself with the basics of circuit theory before class begins. You don't have to, of course, you can just learn it when class does begin, but you'll definitely be glad you did. It honestly won't take very long if you sit down with Kahn Academy on YouTube or something. Physics II also goes into electromagnetism, Maxwell's equations, and a bit of optics, so if you want exposure, it's a nice class to take. Otherwise, Electric Circuits can be taken without it.

[DMGirl]

Circuits can definitely be taken without Physics II, but I would highly recommend acquainting yourself with the basics of circuit theory before class begins. You don't have to, of course, you can just learn it when class does begin, but you'll definitely be glad you did. It honestly won't take very long if you sit down with Kahn Academy on YouTube or something. Physics II also goes into electromagnetism, Maxwell's equations, and a bit of optics, so if you want exposure, it's a nice class to take. Otherwise, Electric Circuits can be taken without it.

I've been reading textbooks and watching lectures on Physics II and Electric Circuits in my spare time. If I get in, I guess I'll just take Electric Circuits in the Summer and Physics II in the Fall. Thank you for the information!

[StaNg72]

I've been reading textbooks and watching lectures on Physics II and Electric Circuits in my spare time. If I get in, I guess I'll just take Electric Circuits in the Summer and Physics II in the Fall. Thank you for the information!

 

Nice. Yeah, if you know what KVL and KCL are, and the few equations relating resistance, capacitance, inductance, current, and voltage, you're good to go.

[cdngo]

Hi everyone, 

 

I guess I'm pretty lucky to find this group the last minute. I have been trying to contact the advising desk/people with some questions about my application but haven't heard anything back, and I'm trying to meet the Jan 15th deadline. So I hope someone on here could help answer some questions for me. 

 

I'm pretty confused about the financial aid portion. I did the the FAFSA, and am working on the CSS PROFILE. Did everyone else do that too? It seems a bit excessive, no? Also, I am trying to make the Fall deadline because I am under the impression that it's the only time that I could receive any type of financial aid or chance for scholarship. Do correct me if I'm wrong. As for scholarship, is there a separate application or it is included in the FAFSA and I should just do so finger crossing?

 

Otherwise, what is the difference between Fall and Spring term beside the starting date?

 

I'm currently a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana living in a village with no electricity so it hasn't been easy finding out information about this program with the shitty internet over here, so any advice would help me a lot. I'm confident about my rec letters and my statement but in term of GRE it's nothing impressive since I studied and took it in Ghana... And my GPA isn't too great either, but the seems as if this program accepts a wide variety of smart people, so I hope I appear smart some how. Anyone RPCV in this program?

 

I'm also planning on taking some courses when I return to the states in May, the application says to state the courses you intend to take, but summer schedule aren't out yet, so what do I say to that? 

 

I'm aware that these questions too might have been answered, but I'm paying for internet by the hour and just don't have that much money to comb through 20 pages of thread.

[cdngo]

Never mind. I called the Engineer office and had some answers. 

[tramxme]

Never mind. I called the Engineer office and had some answers. 

Hey, I called them too and they said I did not need to do FAFSA or CSS profile, all applicants will be considered for FA. What did they tell you??? Have you heard anything from them yet???

[bsny]

tramxme,

 

I've been nervously checking admissions results everyday, but haven't seen anything, and haven't heard from the program. From what I've seen of previous years, it appears admissions results start going out around the beginning of March.

[amouse]

What is the regular phasing of the courses? I 'm planning to apply for Spring 2015 class. Can you do 4 classes in Spring, 4 in summer and 4 in Fall? 

Basically finishing phase I in one year? or would that be too much or too little?

 

 

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

Thanks !

[szman]

What is the regular phasing of the courses? I 'm planning to apply for Spring 2015 class. Can you do 4 classes in Spring, 4 in summer and 4 in Fall? 

Basically finishing phase I in one year? or would that be too much or too little?

 

 

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

Thanks !

A lot of courses are not offered during summer so I dont think  you can finish in 1 year if u need 12 classes.

[bsny]

What is the regular phasing of the courses? I 'm planning to apply for Spring 2015 class. Can you do 4 classes in Spring, 4 in summer and 4 in Fall? 

Basically finishing phase I in one year? or would that be too much or too little?

 

 

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

Thanks !

 

I'm planning on taking some courses this summer, but based on what I've seen, 4 would be difficult. Due to the way scheduling for summer courses is set up, it's not really feasible to take more than 3, and even then it would be a tricky course load, and your options would be very limited. From what I understand, it's common to take some of the more general courses before starting the program. For example, taking the calculus sequence at a community college in order to reduce the number of courses you need once you get to BU.

[amouse]

Thank you guys for the input. I m international and work full time so taking community collage would be difficult. I did take calc 2 a while back in the metropolitan extension school. What is the most common schdule people follow? 3 classes per semester with no summer school ?

 

Thank! 

[bsny]

Thank you guys for the input. I m international and work full time so taking community collage would be difficult. I did take calc 2 a while back in the metropolitan extension school. What is the most common schdule people follow? 3 classes per semester with no summer school ?

 

Thank! 

 

I'm not yet in the program, so I can't say for sure. However, from what I've seen of course listings, it seems pretty standard to take 3-4 courses per semester, and 1-2 over the summer.

[DMGirl]

Hey, I called them too and they said I did not need to do FAFSA or CSS profile, all applicants will be considered for FA. What did they tell you??? Have you heard anything from them yet???

Hey, tramxme. I also applied for Fall admission and am eagerly awaiting a decision. I was told that we definitely need to complete FAFSA if we want to be considered for financial aid. Also, they will determine who gets the LEAP scholarship based on the FAFSA information. To my knowledge, we don't need to complete a CSS profile.

Edited February 20, 2014 by DMGirl

[DMGirl]

Hey, tramxme. I also applied for Fall admission and am eagerly awaiting a decision. I was told that we definitely need to complete FAFSA if we want to be considered for financial aid. Also, they will determine who gets the LEAP scholarship based on the FAFSA information. To my knowledge, we don't need to complete a CSS profile.

 

Sorry for the double post: my phone was acting up. 

Edited February 20, 2014 by DMGirl

[Double-Oh-8]

Applied for Fall 2014. Looks like decisions in early March. Super nervous! 

 

Edited February 28, 2014 by Double-Oh-8

[tramxme]

Hmmm I contacted them again about FAFSA and they said "You are more than welcome to fill out the FAFSA at a later date. The form is not needed until about mid-April." And as I've heard/searched, most grad students for masters don't get financial aid, they get loans though and fafsa only helps determine the family contribution....I'm not sure how they decided about the scholarship, need-based or something else...Decision is not in yet....I'm nervous!!!!!!!!

[bsny]

Hmmm I contacted them again about FAFSA and they said "You are more than welcome to fill out the FAFSA at a later date. The form is not needed until about mid-April." And as I've heard/searched, most grad students for masters don't get financial aid, they get loans though and fafsa only helps determine the family contribution....I'm not sure how they decided about the scholarship, need-based or something else...Decision is not in yet....I'm nervous!!!!!!!!

From what I've heard, the Leap scholarship is need based first, then merit. So you have to qualify for loans through the FAFSA to qualify for the scholarship, but beyond that decisions regarding who gets it are based on merit.

 

Based on the posts from previous years, it seems that decisions start going out around this time, and continue all the way into early April. I'm in the same boat, haven't heard anything but waiting nervously.

[DMGirl]

I also have not hear anything and have been anxiously waiting for a decision. I called the Graduate Admissions Office yesterday (Thursday) around 3:40 p.m. since BU is on Spring Break next week and I was hoping to get a decision before then. I asked the representative when I could I expect a decision and he stated that he could not give me an exact date as there is no deadline. Furthermore, he told me that the review committee was still in the process of reviewing applications and that, once a decision was made, I would be notified via email.

[potatohead]

I just got an acceptance on Thursday (03/07) so they must be currently reviewing. Perhaps it depends on the department you applied to?

 

Also, don't worry, I didn't get the scholarship or any financial aid