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Posted

That's the spirit friends :). KAUST and for that matter no university defines who we are and what we are capable of. 

Posted

Told you guys that merit has little to do with KAUST admissions. They crave for diversity beyond perceivable sanity.

 

If only I came from a more obscure, exotic country. :P I know for a fact that there is already a student from my country in the course so I wouldn't add to the diversity I guess, since the cohort is already so tiny. Oh well, time to move on! And thanks ARJS for the encouragement! 

 

Rejected as expected ... so sad but Alhamd llh rab elalmen

 

I understand your feeling, Annona. I find that this quote helps:

 

"My heart is at ease knowing that what was meant for me will never miss me, and that what misses me was never meant for me."

 

Better opportunities will come for you, inshallah. :)

Posted

I love the spirit guys .. wish myself and everyone else the blessings of Allah and the success in all matters .. And to hear back from KAUST soon for those who didn't yet

Posted

I understand your feeling, Annona. I find that this quote helps:

"My heart is at ease knowing that what was meant for me will never miss me, and that what misses me was never meant for me."

Better opportunities will come for you, inshallah. :)

Posted

Hazzy ... you are absolutely right. Wish you all success and better opportunities.

Posted

It seems that all electrical engineering applicants got a response yesterday. Any earth science and engineering applicant heard anything? !

Posted

ARJS ... did they told you the decision about you ?

 

Yes and guess what'd that be... a big REJECTION... :)

Posted

If only I came from a more obscure, exotic country. :P I know for a fact that there is already a student from my country in the course so I wouldn't add to the diversity I guess, since the cohort is already so tiny. Oh well, time to move on! And thanks ARJS for the encouragement! 

 

 

I understand your feeling, Annona. I find that this quote helps:

 

"My heart is at ease knowing that what was meant for me will never miss me, and that what misses me was never meant for me."

 

Better opportunities will come for you, inshallah. :)

 

You are welcome Hazzy,

 

The quote you shared is really good...

Posted

I have applied for a PhD in computer science. Which interview (one by the professor and the other by the university) is the deciding yardstick for admit.

Posted

I have applied for a PhD in computer science. Which interview (one by the professor and the other by the university) is the deciding yardstick for admit.

 

Both... Actually, if the professor refuses a candidate after interview, the university will not invite him/her for its second interview at all. On the other hand, if a professor pushes for some candidate and he/she is invited on a university level interview where the candidate does not make an appealing case ... a rejection may be served...

 

Its obvious but hope this helps.

Posted

Both... Actually, if the professor refuses a candidate after interview, the university will not invite him/her for its second interview at all. On the other hand, if a professor pushes for some candidate and he/she is invited on a university level interview where the candidate does not make an appealing case ... a rejection may be served...

 

Its obvious but hope this helps.

Thanks for the information. I was interviewed by the professor today and he says he will recommend me for admission and said it will be followed by another interview. When should I expect to hear back for the interview and on what terms will the second interview be based on?

Posted

Thanks for the information. I was interviewed by the professor today and he says he will recommend me for admission and said it will be followed by another interview. When should I expect to hear back for the interview and on what terms will the second interview be based on?

 

Well, not to discourage you, this is exactly what my professor told me. What I believe is there is a lot of difference between recommending and advocating an applicant? The later is more active and the candidate gets more chances of getting a second interview call. My POI even said that he was really impressed by my CV specially the kind of work I have been doing. But here we go, KAUST decided not to send me an invitation.

 

What do you mean by: "what terms will the second interview be based on?" Could you be more explicit?

Posted

Thanks for the information. I was interviewed by the professor today and he says he will recommend me for admission and said it will be followed by another interview. When should I expect to hear back for the interview and on what terms will the second interview be based on?

 And yes, don't forget to write a thank you email to the professor who interviewed you today. Sooner is better!

Posted

 And yes, don't forget to write a thank you email to the professor who interviewed you today. Sooner is better!

Sure I would definitely do that. The professor on the later half of the interview spoke about life at KAUST and things I need to do, things to avoid and fun places there. He was very positive about having me there for the PhD position, noting the fact that I have applied to KAUST just yesterday based on the prof.'s recommendation. I mean what will the 2nd interview be based upon and what will the interviewer be interested in?

 

Thanks :) 

Posted

Sure I would definitely do that. The professor on the later half of the interview spoke about life at KAUST and things I need to do, things to avoid and fun places there. He was very positive about having me there for the PhD position, noting the fact that I have applied to KAUST just yesterday based on the prof.'s recommendation. I mean what will the 2nd interview be based upon and what will the interviewer be interested in?

 

Thanks :)

 

POI speaking about such matters really reflects that he is very interested in you and wants you to work with him. Good sign.

 

They will be interested in your educational background, your relevant experience and how your acquired skills may help you in your graduate studies. You should remember that your discourse should be understandable to non specialists as many of the interviewers would be from that group. Questions like why you chose KAUST? And why should KAUST choose you? Why this particular program? Your hobbies? How you see the world? etc can be expected. You should prepare at least 3-5 questions to be asked when you'd be asked to ask any questions (too many asks,  nevermind I made my point :) ). This is a must that you ask some relevant questions about the program or anything you are not clear about. By 3-5 questions I don't mean that you ask all of them. Just one and maximum two would suffice. This reflects your motivation and preparation for the program. You should have some questions pool on the back of your mind in case few of them are already responded to.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Good luck...

Posted (edited)

Good luck Despo .. Good luck everyone else .. who was your professor Despot .. I am applying to the same program (CS Ph.D) but didn't get an interview yet. I contacted Zhang and Kalnis

Edited by malsawwaf
Posted

POI speaking about such matters really reflects that he is very interested in you and wants you to work with him. Good sign.

 

They will be interested in your educational background, your relevant experience and how your acquired skills may help you in your graduate studies. You should remember that your discourse should be understandable to non specialists as many of the interviewers would be from that group. Questions like why you chose KAUST? And why should KAUST choose you? Why this particular program? Your hobbies? How you see the world? etc can be expected. You should prepare at least 3-5 questions to be asked when you'd be asked to ask any questions (too many asks,  nevermind I made my point :) ). This is a must that you ask some relevant questions about the program or anything you are not clear about. By 3-5 questions I don't mean that you ask all of them. Just one and maximum two would suffice. This reflects your motivation and preparation for the program. You should have some questions pool on the back of your mind in case few of them are already responded to.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Good luck...

Thank you very much for the guidance. I'll try to prepare for the most trivial questions as mentioned by you. 

Posted

Good luck Despo .. Good luck everyone else .. who was your professor Despot .. I am applying to the same program (CS Ph.D) but didn't get an interview yet. I contacted Zhang and Kalnis

Thanks and good luck to you as well. I have contacted prof. Wonka as I share my research interest with him.

Posted

ARJS ... second rejection for you I guess. If they reject you, who will be accepted? Big loss for them. Hope you better opportunities and bright future in or out of KAUST.

Posted

Annona, what are your plans now, if you don't mind sharing? 

 

I was accepted to another university. My initial plan was to go for it, but after discussing with a few people I'm not so sure if it's the best decision. I am thinking that maybe I should try applying to kaust again and other unis and in the meantime somehow beef up my resume. :/

Posted

Thank you very much for the guidance. I'll try to prepare for the most trivial questions as mentioned by you. 

 

You are welcome...

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