I mailed 2 admission departments at GATech, one specific to the graduate degree I'm applying for and one general, and the former states that the credential verification is mandatory prior to admission i.e while applying and we can either use the 3 services listed on their platform (which charge an exorbitantly high fee) or wait for the in-house system where you can get selected for one of the 3 services at no cost to you. I want to wait for the in-house system if required but I'm not sure what to do. The latter department states that it's not mandatory as well. So I'm even more confused about whether I should get it done or not. Please help.

Hello ..please help

I am facing some technical difficulties. I was trying to pay for sending the TOEFL scores. But my card wasn't yet endorsed with Dollars for international transactions. But now everything is fine but I cant pay. This message pops up every time I try to pay with the card . I don't understand what went wrong. I contacted with my bank and they said all card status is up to date and ok. I made other international transaction with the card too and it was fine.

https://preview.redd.it/qp1z9bv941yd1.png?width=753&format=png&auto=webp&s=21434d69190a76834e504915e54741bb5494f44f

Hi all! I’m applying early action to Columbia for an MPA-ESP. I took the GRE for a twice, most recently about a week ago. I was hoping the scores would be available by Nov 1st — the application deadline—but it’s looking like that won’t be the case. While the GRE is optional for the program I’m applying to, it is encouraged and because I have a background in policy not science, I think it’s might be necessary for my app.

I have taken it before and did ok (160 V, 150 Q). From test day I know I only improved marginally to 163V, 153Q. So should I wait til the last minute for the official results for the most recent exam to include in my app, use my first exam results, or not included my test scores at all?

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Hello all,

This is a topically relevant topic and something we are all curious about - how to cut expenses and save up during graduate school. As an international PhD student in the US, here are some tips and tricks I use to ensure that I can make ends meet while also maximizing my savings.

Notes to keep in mind:

- I do not own a car but use local commute (buses) every time.

- I live in an area with comparatively moderate COL (although rent and expenses keep rising yearly while our stipends don't or barely match up with inflation).

- I have lived with roommates for the last three years.

TIP #1

Sharing an apartment with roommates: I know living with roommates can be overbearing at times (it is for me too!) but sharing a space with other people not only brings down the cost of living for me, it also allows me a much-needed space to communicate and relax, especially after a tedious day of research. On average, I save about $400-600 a month by not renting a studio or a one-bedroom apartment for myself and living with two other people. By ensuring that I room with people who are on the same page as me in terms of policies around shared spaces and general etiquette, the living situation turns out to be a little less overwhelming (problems persist at times; when it does, we try to talk it out).

TIP #2

Budget: Personal budgeting is my single biggest friend. Apart from the rent and utilities, I budget for everything else. I generally use Walmart, and have a general sense of what I would buy for the next two weeks, which I keep adding to my Walmart cart. If my budget for the next two weeks is $100, I will add and subtract products from my cart unless I can bring my total cart value under $100. I hop on a bus, shop, and take an Uber back home. Saves me from getting unnecessary stuff that I do not need by getting into the process two or three days in advance and adding or subtracting products from my cart over two or three days until I can bring the cart value under my budget.

TIP #3

Meal Prep: Meal prepping has been one of those facets of life I had never considered in my first year of grad school, but it has been an unexpected blessing. I meal prep for 4 days (only dinners), having to only cook two times a week. If I am cooking on Sunday, I am covered till Wednesday dinner. For lunch, I generally go for low-effort meals; it saves time and money while allowing me to enjoy the luxury of freshly cooked meals. (Sandwiches are my go-to; cheap, flavorful, and take less than 15 minutes.)

TIP #4

Use bank sign-up bonuses and apps that allow for cashback when you shop: Many US banks offer sign-up bonuses when you open accounts or credit cards with them (you need a valid SSN and direct deposits made from your payroll for this!) and apps offer additional cashback when you use their portal to shop online. A quick and easy way to make some extra money on the side. This income is taxed; however, it is "free" money.

TIP #5

Going out on a budget: I enjoy an outing every now and then. At least, I used to. These days, an outing with friends is generally a potluck. We cook some of our favorite meals and gather around. Same enjoyment with a fraction of the cost. I also take advantage of free events hosted by the university to socialize with people.

TIP #6

Thrifting: Utilize thrifting for clothes - healthy for the planet and saves you a bunch of money.

TIP #7

Subscriptions: I have no recurring subscriptions. One of the most beneficial subscriptions for graduate students is Amazon Prime and Netflix. For Amazon purchases, I plan them out as I do with Walmart and get the total cart value above $35 every time I need something from Amazon. And these purchases are not impulsive either - I buy shampoo, toothpaste, and other essentials in bulk; the cost upfront is larger, but if I have to use it over the span of the next 3 months, why not get them together to save on delivery fees? For Netflix, I share the subscription with my two roommates. You can also get by without the subscription and resorting to a VPN and you know ...

TIP #8

Passive Income: I will sometimes review people's SOPs and profiles for graduate school admissions or work on Fiverr as a content writer since I have a lot of experience in both. However, time constraints have stopped me from doing this as much as I would like. (And no, I am not looking to review SOPs and profiles right now.)

TIP #9

Scholarships/Fellowships/Grants: Keep looking for those. Many universities offer short-term internal scholarships, fellowships, or assistantships to students that can even offset a part or whole of your tuition fee for the semester.

I wished somebody had provided me with these tips and tricks before I started grad school; however, I write this in the hopes of someone benefiting from these. This is a tiring third year of my PhD program and all of this is written down from my own experiences. I am curious to know if there are other ways people are saving money. TIP#4 is a very efficient way to rack up vouchers, sign-up bonuses, and cashback, making my lean wallet just a tad bit fatty every now and then (you can leave a comment here if you want to know more). Also, making sure to budget and using a dedicated app for it always helps!

I have shortlisted some universities guys can you guys provide any suggestion please. And I don't know how to seperate my universities into safe, moderate and ambitious. Any one help me out please. My scores, CGPA-7.44 Scholaro-3.2 IELTS-7 Internship - 3months (Computer Vision) Projects - 5 (Releated to AI) Lor- 2 from HOD and 2 from professor

Here are list in universities:

University of California, Davis San Diego State University California State University, Fullerton University of California, Los Angles University of California, Santa Barbara University of Southern California (Private) University of California - Berkeley Arizona State University Northern Arizona University Oregon State University University of Washington University of Michigan-Flint University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Colorado - Boulder University of Texas - Austin Texas A&M University - College Station University of Virginia University of Florida Ohio State University - Columbus Purdue University - West Lafayette University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well. I’m currently a recent mbbs graduate living in USA (DMV area) I’m reaching out after trying a lot myself and from what I’ve figured i need some references so i thought i would ask you all I’m looking for connections or guidance that could help me secure a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) or Teaching Assistant (TA) position in the United States for MPH(masters in public health) Im applying to the universities in the DMV area (DC, Maryland, virginia). The deadlines are nearing and I haven’t been able to get an appointment with any professor yet maybe because they didnt even see the email. To give a bit of background, I graduated with a GPA of 3.84/4.0 with distinctions in mbbs and i am committed to dedicating my skills and hard work to meaningful research. While I am actively applying to programs, I would greatly appreciate any personal advice, introductions to professors, or even leads on openings for GRA or TA roles that would allow me to gain practical experience and contribute to ongoing research.

If anyone has insights or connections in the U.S. academic sphere, especially in the fields of biomedical research or healthcare(any doctors), I would be incredibly grateful for any assistance you could offer. I will share my resume if anyone has any leads. Thank you very much for your time and consideration! Please be kind im already very stressed as I recently moved here and things have been hard enough already, i could really use some help. P.s im doing volunteer work atm

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well. I’m currently a recent mbbs graduate living in USA (DMV area) I’m reaching out after trying a lot myself and from what I’ve figured i need some references so i thought i would ask you all. I’m looking for connections or guidance that could help me secure a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) or Teaching Assistant (TA) position in the United States for MPH(masters in public health) Im applying to the universities in the DMV area (DC, Maryland, virginia). The deadlines are nearing and I haven’t been able to get an appointment with any professor yet maybe because they didnt even see the email. To give a bit of background, I graduated with a GPA of 3.84/4.0 with distinctions in mbbs and i am committed to dedicating my skills and hard work to meaningful research. While I am actively applying to programs, I would greatly appreciate any personal advice, introductions to professors, or even leads on openings for GRA or TA roles that would allow me to gain practical experience and contribute to ongoing research.

If anyone has insights or connections in the U.S. academic sphere, especially in the fields of biomedical research or healthcare(any doctors), I would be incredibly grateful for any assistance you could offer. Thank you very much for your time and consideration! Please be kind im already very stressed as I recently moved here and im doing volunteer work rn and things have been hard enough already, i could really use some help.

I'm currently an undergrad at Carleton University CS (Canada). 4th year, 3.9/4.0ish gpa, in the process of finding an advisor for my honors thesis (that would be about 8 months of research experience) also thinking applying for a research assistantship for next summer. I'm on my 16 month software dev internship atm. Are these stats good enough for getting into any of the top programs (UofT, Stanford, Berkeley, CMU, UIUC etc.)? I've heard that a publication during undergrad is essential so should I even try to apply to any program or is it a waste of my time?

Hi all, I'm in the process of applying to grad schools for next fall, and one of my graduate applications has an "Activities" section, where, in their words, I'm supposed to put "how I spent or plan to spend my time before entering this program while not enrolled in college". I'm currently a senior in undergrad, and I honestly don't have any plans for the threeish months I'll be off before I hopefully start grad school. The kick is, I have to put something in this section before I can continue the application. Does anybody have any advice for what to put? I genuinely have no clue what to do.

I need some advice, I'm trying to get into a psyd but I think it might be best to do the MA. Still I have what admin is looking for which is 2 years of research experience as an assistant (still working independently with my prof), worked on my manuscript/collected data, 8 months clinical experience, and 4 years of tutoring. I have gotten a 3 semester research scholarship during my last year of undergrad. I graduated last spring. I only worry because I don't if I'll do well on the GRE, but we'll see. I'm applying now to be a psychiatric technician. What do you guys think, go for just the MA or both?

I have an undergrad degree in computer science (international) and two masters, one in computer science and the other in biological sciences (both in USA). I worked in an immunology lab at a university to get some experience before I apply for my phd. I wish to pursue a PhD in a biology related field (cellular, developmental, immunology is what I am thinking). I would like some recommendations on good universities that I can apply to. I have made a list but just wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions. Thank you!!

all of the anxiety has crept up on me the last week or two. two weeks till the first round is in. I was much more confident last year but am more competitive now. I freaking hate this so much and just need to say it. ugh I just want to be paid scraps to do research, learn, and get a license instead of going into masssssssssssssive debt!!!

I'm gonna go for this cycle and maybe that'll be it. throw a few more masters in. any one else going for psych? its a doozy.

stats: 2nd year applicant, 3.7 gpa, no traditional student, clinical psych, 7 years professional experience, 3 years research, currently post-bacc ra/ta

A potential PI wants to interview. How do I prep? What questions do they ask? Any tips ?

I finished undergrad with a GPA just under 2.7 (2.684 if i remember correctly). I'm currently in industry working a R&D role, and did a year of undergrad research.

I know getting admissions with such a low GPA will be hard, but also that research experience and LoRs can really carry an application. I'm not trying to aim for the best of the best programs because I doubt I'll ever have a chance; My question is pretty much how much time should I spend in industry before I have a decent chance at getting into a decent program (organic/total synthesis). As I really do enjoy research and want to have eventually end up doing drug discovery, which I've heard is hard to get into without a PhD.

I'm in a bad spot, and I take the blame for it. I graduated with a 2.8 GPA in undergrad, but with a whole lot of research experience in my field. I've been working in the industry in the 5 or so years since graduating. I busted my ass to find a fully funded master's position, and I jumped at the opportunity. However, I was dealing with an abusive partner and an advisor that was...not a good fit, let's say. I'm embarrassed to say that I could barely make it through that semester, and I opted for a leave of absence. My grades...all A's and one big fat D because I could not make myself write the final paper in that class. I suffered a lot. Ultimately, I withdrew from the program because there were some major red flags that occurred during my time away. And yes, I fully regret it. Better to work through toxicity and have a higher degree than to feel the way that I do now.

I'm prepared for some mean or just blunt comments about my preparedness for this path, and I think that makes sense given my track record. However, I am only passionate about research and I will continue to claw my way back.

I am seeking advice on next steps, because I have to choose one or the other: Should I focus on gaining more research experience for future applications, or would it be better at this point to take some extra classes and prove my academic capability by receiving A's? Due to the nature of my field and my current options, I can only choose one of these options at the moment, and not both.

Cambridge Postgraduate programs - when did you apply & find out your admissions decision? (International students)

B.S in biology (gpa: 3.6),

M.S. cell molecular biology (gpa: 4.0)

• both degrees from a small school most people haven’t heard of

1.5 years of full time research assistant experience in neurodevelopment lab (current position)

Lots of technical lab experience: primary neuron cell culture, stereotaxic intracranial injections (mice), confocal microscopy, etc

2 years graduate, 3 years undergraduate research experience in neurodevelopment lab

1 peer-reviewed second author lit review, HOPEFULLY first author manuscript submitted to bioRxiv by Dec 1 (obviously won’t be peer reviewed yet)

• this is definitely my weakest spot, I come from very small labs so it’ll be a year or so until I have more pubs

2 great letters from PIs that I’ve worked for and have very good relationships with, 3rd letter from thesis committee member

Are my chances as good as I’m hoping for? The research I’m trying to do for my PhD is pretty specific, and the most interesting projects I’ve found in this field are being done at top universities, so that’s why a lot of the 10 or so schools I’m applying to will be extremely competitive programs. Any tips are welcome too!🫶🏻

Hello everyone,

I'm a 26-year-old planning to apply to top U.S. universities for a master’s in Computer Science, ideally a general MS in CS program without a specific specialization. Here’s a bit of background about me: I graduated from one of the top engineering universities in Bangalore with a CGPA of 8.2/10 in Computer Science and Engineering. Initially, I intended to pursue a master’s abroad right after my bachelor's, but COVID and personal circumstances shifted my path.

In my final year, I started working at an early-stage startup, beginning as an intern and then moving into a full-time role. The balance was manageable since my course load was reduced due to COVID. After graduation, I chose to stay with the startup instead of taking other job offers, as I valued the freedom to experiment and take ownership. I remained there for around 3.5 years before joining another early-stage U.S. startup, where I’ve been for about six months now. The company is doing well, and we recently secured funding, but I feel my learning has plateaued, especially as my current role leans heavily on SaaS solutions rather than building from the ground up.

Additionally, I’ve been developing my own project outside of work, which I’m building from scratch without relying on SaaS or overheads. This has further emphasized the depth of knowledge I still need and sparked a renewed interest in pursuing a master’s degree in the U.S.

I’m keen on studying in the U.S. despite the current job market challenges and am open to moving back after graduation if necessary. Funding won’t be a big issue (still a very important factor), and I’ve put together a list of schools that don’t require the GRE, as my timeline doesn’t allow for preparation.

Here’s my current list of schools:

Dream:

1. Stanford
2. UC Berkeley
3. Harvard

Target:

1. UT Austin
2. UCLA
3. USC

Safety:

1. Purdue

Does this list seem realistic based on my background? I’d love feedback, especially if there are any universities I might have overlooked or other countries with compelling programs. Additionally, if anyone has insights into typical expenses for these programs or the current job market for international graduates, I’d greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance for any advice and perspectives!

I'm a recent graduate of kinda-shitty state school applying for my PhD this Fall. I graduated in 3 years with a 4.0, did some lab work in my field, created a short research study on a small grant, but didn't have much opportunity at my school to thrive. Does anyone know what my chances are of getting into grad schools without an MA? (My field is linguistics/cog sci)

Hello!

This might have been answered here (to some capacity at least), but I would like to know if and how I should include personal projects in my applications. Specifically, I want to pursue a PhD in computational engineering with a focus on aerospace applications. During my undergraduate studies I've developed relevant software (specifically an MPI-parallel FEM solver yada yada). Although I never used this software anywhere besides partially in my Diploma thesis, I think that it could significantly boost my profile. Am I correct in this?

Any opinion or piece of advice is welcome!

More specifically, how in-depth should I discuss their research and why I feel they are a good fit for me? I read some tips and I know that they need to be in-depth enough so that it's telling the email is addressing them specifically and not another boiler-plate email. On the other hand, I saw that the emails also need to be brief (no more than a couple paragraphs), so I feel that the extent to which I can discuss their research in-depth and show that my reading up on them weren't cursory would be somewhat limited. (Or, would even just discussing the specifics of their research, even if it's at a somewhat surface level that could be obtained from just skimming their papers and/or reading their abstracts, be enough in this instance? As there are always opportunities to discuss their research more in-depth if they are interested in interviewing or conversing further via email.)

Also, I know some PI's specifically say on their websites what they want included in the email, but if they don't, would my CV and a copy of my SOP (while also editing out the parts that discuss other PI's, since the SOP on the application for the general program requires listing at least 3 faculty) suffice? Should I also attach my transcripts to the email?

I'm a current college senior, though graduating undergrad in 3 years. I am so deeply passionate about storytelling, writing, building a community of creatives, and sharing this with others as much as I can. My academic advisor attended the Iowa Writer's Workshop and he is now a 2 time NYT best-seller. He is consistently encouraging me to apply to an MFA program, so I have decided to apply to four:

Northern Michigan University

University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Michigan

University of Iowa (I know this one is an extreme long shot)

I know all of these programs are highly competitive, but it feels like everyone I discuss them with only knows that -- they are competitive. Does anybody have info about these specific programs? Suggestions? I am seeking any information or support in this process. Nobody in my family is super creative, so it feels like I am going at it alone. I know I am young and this is a long shot, but as my advisor says "people do it every day." So, I will give it a shot.

Any questions, comments, concerns, support, help, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance :)

I am applying to an MBA program and university does not require a SOP. They only mentioned to add a 250 words letter of intent. Should I still add my SOP as part of additional documents? I feel like there is an overlap of some information on my SOP and LOI but I feel like 250 words are really less to explain everything.

I have a few questions:

1. Regarding my publications: none of the 3 papers come up if you search it, it is in the proceedings of the conference, and can be found in the specific link provided by the host. I presented 2 of em abroad in a very reputed university, so am i putting them in the right place? is the title publication the right term for this section?

2. The minor project is a part of my course it is okay to put it in right? Along with the tasks I'm completing at my current internship?

3. Abbreviating my course, my course name is quite long so is it okay to abbreviate it like ece instead of electronics and comm engineering, cse for comp sci and engineering etc?

4. I put the technologies as a placeholder as i do not know under what section i can put matlab etc, i couldnt find the right term..

Thank you so much

Hi all,

I'm thinking of applying to english masters in the next year or two, and I intend to focus my thesis on things such as public address in social and political movements in Canada and political communication.

I was wondering if anyone has any guidance on what I should be doing to ensure I am a competitive applicant. I'm really gunning for funding, so I want to make sure I'm as well-prepared as possible when it comes time to apply. My undergrad is in english lit, but the research project I did in my final year is focused on a totally different area of english than what I'd like to pursue in grad school.

Should I reach out to professors with similar research interests and ask if I can work with them in any capacity? Should I attempt to work with literary journals? Just wondering if anyone had any advice on how exactly I should gain experience in this field.

Thanks to all!

I’m a 30-year-old woman from India with over eight years of policy experience. I began the process of applying for a master’s degree in programs like the MPP in the UK, Europe, and the US while I was in a long-term, serious relationship. My boyfriend had suggested that, given his family’s conservative views, I should eventually consider moving abroad. However, three days before our engagement (the roka ceremony), his family canceled it. We attempted a court marriage afterward, but frequent conflicts led to him ultimately ending things, saying he wouldn’t marry me.

Now, I feel lost and without direction. Pursuing my master’s feels uncertain; I’m questioning whether it’s the right move, and I worry about being away for two years while time feels like it’s slipping by, especially when it comes to finding a partner. How should I approach planning my next steps?

Hey guys, just a quick question. I am currently in Canada, and I’ve never withdrew from a class so this will be my first potential one. I am planning on doing the course again, but as for now, my GPA is already bad enough. I was wondering how bad one W grade would be? And what’s the limit before it becomes a concern for grad schools? Thanks! My GPA is 3.5/4.0 (I understand how bad that is)….

Also with me saying my GPA, what are the chances I get into any graduate school with that GPA? Looking into applying for political science or Policy (Canada).