olorunnisola001:
With a Cgpa of 3.89 out of 5
Studied Mechanical Engineering
GRE score: 330
Do I still really need IELTS or TOFEL?
Which school can I apply to, for scholarships?
Anticipating your response. Thanks

user4321:


Hi guys,
So In rewrote the GRE Today. Yes a Lot of people said I had a great Score, But I just wasn't comfortable with my score, so I paid another 70,000NGN to BY Mafit ( Awesome guys). So in order not to flop the Quant, I decided to take some proactive measure.
I registered for the Manhattan 6 Practice Test Bundle costing $50, (19,000NGN). I did quite poorly on 3 of the 6 tests. Also I started practicing all the Hard questions over at greprepclub.com forum, to pace myself, and get accustomed to hard questions.
All through, I continued revising my vocabulary, and revising all my verbal strategies, so I don't slack in my rewrite. Also based on the advice on quora, I also wen through the ETS GRE Math review, to learn all the funny tips and trick of high school level math present in the quant.
Test Day
I woke up by 5:04 AM, and proceeded to fry egg, and toast 6 bread slices, for break fast. I went over all my strategies once more, and boarded a bus to Law school B/Stop. Then I trekked down to dragnet prometric. I made small talk with a lady I met there.
AWA
I went through the AWA quickly and confidently, writing about 900 words for each essay. The keyboard I got was better than the last time, so i had ample time to proofread.
VERBAL
I prayed for a first verbal section fervently, because I realized that would mean no experimental Quant section ( which I feel bleeped me up last time). So I was really happy when I got a verbal section first. I went through it in 15 Mins (I don't waste time on verbal). And I rightly predicted, I got three verbal sections. I really didn't care which one was experimental. It felt just about okay.
QUANT
The real reason I was rewriting. I went about the quant more carefully, I detailed my solutions very neatly. I paced very calmly, and resisted the urge to go back and forth shopping for easy answers. I knew getting all the questions right would mean a tougher second sections, so I got my cool, and went ahead calmly.
===============================================================================
RESULT
QUANTITATIVE- 169
VERBAL - 162
TOTAL - 331

SCHOOLS
STANFORD UNIVERSITY -PHD
UT AUSTIN - PHD
RICE - PHD
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS - PHD

GPA
4.74/5
WES (UNOFFICIAL) 3.82/4.0

cc- quoran scholastica16 time2win

NB: What really helped me in no particular order
1. Encouragement from my friends to rewrite
2. Manhatted GRE 6 test Pack ($50) - (It really mimics the real GRE)
3. greprepclub.com/forum/
4. Quora

also I hope to beat my 4.5 AWA

Edit: I also wrote while on my full time job as a software engineer

crispviv:
Hey Guys,

I need your help. I got an offer for a PHD chemical engineering but am confused on which to choose. I need your help fam.

Tulane University : PHD CHEM ENG. 28K STIPEND PLUS HEALTH INSURANCE (HALF)

LSU: PHD CHEM ENGR 25K STIPEND. NO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Pardon the errors .

jegz50:
Good Day House,

I have followed this page from 1st post, to have an in-depth info about schools and funding opportunities.

I humbly present my profile for school suggestions and any tip to secure funding for fall '19.
I have actually completed applications to PhD Chemistry in the schools mentioned below. Hoping to apply to any more recommended schools on here.

*My little advice to anyone preparing for the Gre and Toefl is to ensure you start well ahead of admission deadlines.. Take the exams early enough so you can have enough time to prepare all application materials.

Undergrad: 3.45/4 (Unofficial WES evaluation)- Industrial Chemistry
GRE: 312 (VERY terrible exam experience)
TOEFL: 103
Publications: 1 (Currently under review with two journals)
Research Experience : About 2 years working in the Oil and Gas
Conferences: A handful
Schools applied: VCU, FSU, MSU, LSU, Univ of Utah, Tulane Univ and University of Alabama.

Contacts have been made with some POIs in about five of these schools...Mostly positive and was asked to apply.

What is your take house ....CC @Scholastica16, @Time2Smile, @kayceerilyn, @Sheeda995, @Ndawe, @Temmitats

SplendidGod:
Guys please here is my profile
Undergraduate (microbiology) CGPA 4.4/5 WES (3.58/4)

Masters (Virology) PhD grade. Don't have the exact CGPA as I'm still processing the transcript.

Publication : 1
Another is currently been peer reviewed. But these are bacterial related. Still working on my virology msc thesis manuscript.

Work experience : 3 years during my msc with other researchers

I intend applying for a PhD in virology.

GRE /TOEFL will be written in October. Don't know how to register yet.

Any hope for funding with these stats? What schools should I be looking at with good virology programs?

Target schools now are;
University of Rochester
Case Western University
I need the ones with sure funding. I don't mind the school ranking.

Work has been intense. I try to make out 2hours daily to prep for gre. Are there smart ways to prep?

Again, Must I write professors before applying?

Thanks guys!
Cc. Danjaninja
Ponpon
Quoran
Scholastica
SirRiddy

Ifedith:

Akorede or the guy that has been delayed since friday.

akatovic1:
I don show again oo, just before I say make I go watch Bayern vs Real Madrid na im I see wan obonge mail..........
sorry Queen's English
I am back again so let me share an update: just as I was preparing to watch Bayern vs Real Madrid , I checked my mail and saw the letter of award of Research Assistant with full funding and stipend for a direct PhD at the Department of Mechanical, Aeronautic and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.I will be working under an assistant professor who inteviewed (sha na just discussion) me via skype. Thank you Jesus and everyone on this forum, your encouragement is well appreciated.
Details may come up soon.

Quoran:
So I think it is the right time to share my complete testimony

I have been following this thread since 2015 though as a guest. I had a lot of misconceptions about getting PhD admissions. I thought you must get a supervisor before you apply. I also did not know that it was possible to get funding for one's research as an international student. It is all about getting the right information and taking time to research on different schools. I also learned that the key is to start really early and mail professors. I sent mails to more than 100 Professors!( I kid you not!). Finally I took the bull by the horn and applied to many schools.

This is my profile:
1)Mechanical Engineering B.Eng 3.3/4 (Top Nigerian University)
2)Masters degree Top UK Mechanical Engineering (3.6/4 Unofficial WES evaluation. Two Professors from different schools told me during the skype interview that my CGPA was 3.58 and 3.7 respectively. What that means is that different schools have their own ways of evaluation but the different is not so significant.)
3)No publications but I showed evidence of work in progress.
4)GRE scores -First Attempt 303, Maths 153 ,Verbal 150 , AW -3.5.
GRE scores -Second Attempt 327, Maths 166,Verbal 161,A.W -4.0.

5)My work experience is mostly research based .I do not know if that helped in anyway.

Schools I applied to:
Texas A and M, College station- Accepted with Funding
Stanford University- Rejected nicely
University of California, Berkeley- Waitlisted since 1920
Michigan Tech- accepted with research assistantship
University of Alabama - Accepted
RPI- Accepted with Teaching assistantship.
Oregon State- Accepted in both Mechanical and Industrial Engineering programs.
George Washington- Pending;No decision yet.
University of Virginia- Pending;No decision yet.I suspect my application is on the waitlist.
Washington State University- Accepted; Teaching Assistantship is assured after the 1st semester.

Most schools have a deadline of April 15th to accept offers. I have opted for TAMU, College Station.


My GPA is not spectacular but from what I understand, my Masters degree thesis is a strong area of research that attract alot of funding. The reputation of my masters degree supervisor helped me alot. He is a well known expert in my field.He has over 200 publications and some patents.He wrote superb letters of recommendation for me also. Then, I put in my best in the skype interviews I had. I also spent time drafting my statement of purpose. Then God did the rest- Crowned my effort with success.

Tips and advice

1)Use Quora and Linkedin well. On Quora,I met alot of Professors there. They answer questions on what goes on among the graduate committee. I found students on Quora and Linkedin who told me about admission and funding. I follow a Nigerian guy on Quora who is an expert in graduate admissions. He helped me a great deal. He also told me of this forum. I initially thought he was the same scholastica16 here lol.

2)From my own observation, apply early. Some Professors pick their students early and try to extract some form of commitment especially if they will fund you.

3)If a school has rolling admissions, the probability that you will be funded is low. Beware of schools that offer free applications.

4)Different schools have their own ways of admitting students. Some will not admit you if they do not have funds. Some wont admit you when there is no supervisor. Just find out.
5)Contacting Professors on time helps. One told me that he will look for my application when they start screening. When I mailed him later, He told me that my application is good but that there were stronger applicants in the pool
6)When you mail a Professor, do not write an episode. They will most likely not read it. Be brief. I have tested this many times.
7)Try as much as possible to use official email addresses or even your school email. It helps kind off. Professors receive loads of emails.
Network and search different school forums. You can attend webinars and you will get classic information. Use gradcafe also.
9) For PhD, read and at least know the basics and various research areas. Also try and be flexible.

I hope this helps someone. You are free to ask me questions here. Unfortunately, I have limited access to my nairaland email. Unto the next level- Visa pursuance.

Special thanks to everyone who has posted here from time immemorial. I read all the pages of this thread. Scholastica16, you are a blessing.
DreManuel, thanks for the GRE materials.

Dream.Believe.Achieve.

(Pardon my errors).

reDazey:
My Second Experience
I will start by congratulating everyone who has an admission. It is truly an arduous journey. More congratulations to those with funding and all the best to those still awaiting funding. I must add that it is not over till you hear from all your schools. Last year, I can recall a close friend who got an admit with full funding in May. Hope still dey!

I want to encourage someone here today with my story. Never give up on yourself and your dreams. When you plan to retry, find out the actions that failed you and learn to change your strategy for success. Finally, keep trying if you believe so much in a vision till you achieve it.

This is the period where most of us sit and wait with bated breath, hoping and praying that our admission with some sort of financial funding drops into our mailbox. I pray everyone gets their heart desires.

Last year, I was in a similar position. I felt dejected, some of us can relate to this emotion. Lots of admissions with no funding. I applied to combinations of (MSc and Ph.D.) in Statistics/Maths. Got some rejections and some acceptances( without funding). It was a terrible blow because I felt I had a good profile. (GPA 3.6/4(WES), GRE 318, TOEFL 109). However, I learned some important lessons. It is not always about one aspect of your profile. LORs and SOPs are very important.

Having been out of school for a while and working in an IT-intensive organization; I overlooked my IT skills which were going to be advantageous. I got some advice from several persons, I selected the ones I felt will work for me and dropped the rest. So for Fall 2018, I restrategized, applied to CS programs. Also, I realized I did not take some risk on my former school list (Sirriddy and Scholastica16 encouraged me to aim higher).

So this year, I reapplied to 5 Ph.D. programs
1. The University of Massachusetts, Amherst (pending)
2. The University of Utah (rejected)
3. Kansas State University(accepted with full funding)
4. The University of Alabama (accepted, no funding. I did not bother to ask for any.)
5. College of William and Mary(accepted with full funding, being considered for fellowship)

Also, to "avoid stories that touch", I applied to Georgia Southern (MSc Mathematics and I was accepted with a funded GTA position)

I thank God for the courage to try one more time and I pray that everyone finds a reason to believe in themselves and keep pushing.

Special thanks to the extraordinary persons that supported me throughout this journey; Sirriddy(you are just too much), divabiola, jaybiz007, Scholastica16, MsNas, dramaka). Thank you guys for being more than friends.

Scholastica16:


I dey man. How far unto that level?

Don't mind the guy. I no even follow them to discuss MBA. Chimed in when I saw "no Harvard BS MBA graduate can ever be poor". And I knew that was just exuberance talking so I wanted to bring another perspective to the statement.

A lot of people on that thread just want to immigrate. If they were that serious about getting into the US legitimately, most will be here trying to get information needed to ace the needed tests to get funding.

TheGrandChemist:
I am actually over the moon right now.

Admission decision for one of the schools I applied to just arrived

School: Brigham Young university, Provo, Utah (Actually one of my top choices. Highly rated than the others I applied to with the best funding as well).

Status: Accepted

Program: PhD, Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Funding: In the affirmative, YES (GA)

However, I am still awaiting decisions from the other schools I applied to:

Louisiana state university, Ohio university, Georgia state university, University of Wyoming, University of Idaho, Oregon State University.


Profile:

Undergraduate course of study: Industrial chemistry

GPA: 3.38/4.00

GRE: 300

TOEFL: 99

No publication or research experience whatsoever. Although, I have about three years work experience.

For those of us still expectant of admission decisions, hold your horses and be positive.

And lest I forget, Mr ponpon thanks for the encouragement. I never imagined I would apply to seven schools if not for your encouragement.

Cheers

Jumybecks:
Just in.......
School: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Status: Accepted
Program: PhD Cell and Molecular Biology
Funding: Yes (GA)

I have been on this admission of a thing since 2015. Wrote GRE in 2016 but did not apply to any school due to finance. I sat for another GRE in Nov 2017 and I applied to four schools: U of Arkansas, University of Delaware, New Mexico State University, and MTU. Got a regret mail for U of Delaware already but nothing yet from NMSU and MTU. It's really been God and the encouragement I tap from people on this forum.

Profile:
UG course: Microbiology
GPA: 3.7/4.0
GRE: 307
Toefl: 105
Publication: 1 (but it was after I had already completed all my applications so it did not count really)

May those expecting admit and funding get it by His grace.... AMEN!!!

frostsc:
You have a very strong and valid point. Though from what I see this school is not on the same pedestal as Ivy league schools or even semi Ivy league schools. Of course we can't compare a school like this to a school like Rochester Institute of Technology, despite the fact that the latter is also an institute of Technology.

My submission basically is that if one will eat frog, he should eat the one that has eggs. It's just my personal opinion though. It could be a fail safe school actually. So one can apply to it. It's regionally accredited and has a reasonable rank. I just like schools that once anyone hears the name they can relate to it and it can open doors when I'm done because their alumni are scattered in meaningful places.

frostsc:
I have come across Rensselaer before. Considered applying to the school but applied the brakes cos of this scenario.

What's the essence of travelling all the way from Ghana to Nigeria to attend Moshood Abiola Polytechnic when I can easily apply to University of Lagos?

I'm sorry if you attended MAPoly. Was just an illustration.

smallsuper:
Power prep plus II link

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xhrunt2Zoaqa_GUb3k6PiL8Fog9hqEVL?usp=sharing

ponpon:
100/100!

RexCheeng:


Congratulations Masterforce!! You are really a master force to be reckoned with. I'm sure your US admissions will pan out too.
#Fall2018
#YesWeCan

Quoran:
They just wanted to know my research interests and experience. They basically went through my CV and they asked questions on it. They also want to know your future plans, what you aim to achieve from your research. If it is a studentship, the questions will be more specific as it relates to the specific project. Nothing deep as such, just to make sure you're an ideal candidate.The aim of most of these interviews is to find if you're a good fit for their research group/lab/work. I hope this helps you. All the best.

briliantsak:
I got into University of Florida (direct PhD) few days ago, still awaiting fellowship result in couple of weeks. I discussed with a supervisor before applying for admission, she asked me to select her as my advisor... which I actually did during application. Buh when I got the admission letter, they've changed my advisor to another person...who happens to be a senior colleague to the former advisor and he's even the PhD program coordinator for the program. I contacted him and we discuss about funding... he asked me to get back to him in couple of weeks for the fellowship result.

Hoping and praying sha...
Thanks Scholastica16, Ponpon, annexplus, and others


Thou I v fully funded direct PhD in HK already, buh US is kinda better.

ponpon:
Yes sir, Thibodaux

MasterforceII:
Anyone here applied for EE Masters at Uni of Illiinois, Urbana Champaign? Already seeing admits on gradcafe and I'm getting frantic.
Also who on here can't stop checking gradcafe every 30mins?
Lol. Really need to calm down. Our admits are enroute.
#Fall2018 #YesWeCan

ponpon:
congrats bro!!!!!! Welcome to the south, you'll eat craw fish tire!!!! Bigger ones coming, but if you'll like lsu it's pretty decent too

reDazey:

Great scores . Quants 170. I believe you will get the best of your schools. Congratulations on your admit @LSU.