₦airaland Forum

Yildiz:
Actually I see your point. If you consider Chinese Government Scholarship getting a supervisor is the surest way of getting it. My initial plan was to go that but on searching more I realized that there are opportunities in the US. I will try to improve my scores, I will contact professors and I will pray.
Pls do you know any thing about Michigan University, they offer full funding for all accepted Engineering PhD students

I am even referring to US schools in entirety. For e.g, apart from MIT and one or 2 other biggies that don't care about your money, if you told say U Michigan Ann Arbor that you have $100k PTDF scholarship they could admit you even if you had less than 3.7/4 or 314. I know what I am saying.

Michigan University is too broad. Are you referring to Michigan State Uni or Uni of Michigan Ann Arbor? If both, yes, they stated like almost every other school that they fund all accepted PhD applicants.

My experience with the former makes me think they mean "all accepted PhD applicants but still contingent on availability of such funds or else we would have to use a scale of preference".

I have no experience with the latter but they are a top school with huge endowments so I believe they could. But getting a 330 would not give you that much of an advantage as some Chinese and Indians will apply there as one of their school choices along with MIT and Stanford - and most will have the same > or = 330 GRE scores with 4.0 GPAs and crazy internships etc.

If you are considering them, email Profs. You already have a good profile. The Prof will let you know if your 314 will hamper you or need to be improved upon.

Chynwe:
I intend seeking for PhD admission in mathematics or data sciences in canada,US or Australia.I had a cgpa of 4.5/5.0 in my masters.I would like to know if it is possible to get a fully funded PhD admission without toefl or GRE.Thanks

Yes it is but you would not like to put the schools that may offer you such on your CV.

You are a mathematician by all means. Take the PowerPrep II part 1. See where you stand in your Q (but take the whole test in one go). If you are not impressed with the score, take the Manhattan 5lb book and practice weak areas. Take the 2nd part of the Power Prep II and gauge yourself. Then register and take the GRE.

I have a feeling you could easily get a 160+ in the Q so I wonder why you are trying to avoid it. Again, I hate to stress it but, YOU ARE A MATHEMATICIAN.

Notice I am ignoring the V, AWA or even TOEFL to some degree for you. It is because it does not count as much. Learning from other people's experience is the best teacher.

Yildiz:
Thanks alot. I will aim for 330 then

While having a 330 or + is impressive, it guaranteees you nothing;

On this thread, 3 people hit that mark with other aspects of their applications being equally stellar yet I would go out on a limb and say they "settled" for what was given to them.

On the other hand, someone with a 307/309 got accepted into Berkeley. Another with 315, into UCLA. In fact, 2 other great guys on here got into fully-funded MSc programs with a 314!

I am not shading anyone. The message I bring is, even as you aim to re-write, why don't you start doing your own personal research on the school you want and then reaching out to POIs?

In my honest opinion, getting a solid advisor on your side is one sure way of getting admitted and funded into any program. At least, it is definitely better than getting a 330.

Proving you can fund yourself (for Master's applicants and to some degree PhDs too) can go a long way. Don't be surprised to see for e.g that someone with a 319; average GPA and TOEFL; 0 publications got into UT Austin because she had an external scholarship (True story!!) Yet the BGS of her faculty with 4.86/5, 325 GRE, 113 TOEFL was bounced by the same school.

Another thing is the nature of one's previous degrees and schools (countries they trust or schools they easily recognize as well as the program you are applying for). And as far as I am concerned, you have that on lock.

Lastly, you already have a master's degree which would convince any Prof that you are really interested in the PhD (as against using it as a means to getting a master's and dumping the program right after). So you should have no reservations about contacting profs.

The reality is, any Prof. that is willing to accept you would do so regardless of the GRE score. So do not overstate the importance of the GRE as all applications are different.

PS: Check msinus.com for a list of schools and GRE scores that have been admitted there. It would give you a range to work with. Startclass.com has some ideas as well as usnews.com

(Look into Georgia Tech seriously - I believe you could get in).

And BTW, the 25 in speaking too is a legend. I had a speaking of 26 in the TOEFL, with a total score of 112 and 80% of my schools bounced me.

drhopeful:
You are very much welcome. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help . I wish you all the best! Hopefully, you will get into a top program with the PTDF Scholarship.

No words.

Ndawe:
Oh wow, so good to read from you; I have been silently waiting for your update and even though the outcome wasn't anything you'd hoped for, yours is waiting for its grand delivery to you.

I can't thank you enough for this.

But I would try: Thank you ~

...and AMEN.

obene12:
@Scholastica16 thank you so much on your indept analysis, you just gave another push. Yesterday's topic on tribal selection by supervisor is something I feel is another major reason most mails don't get replied. I did a study on supervisor's to look into research student they work with and I found a similar pattern to issues raised. Do you advice looking into same pattern for easier funding? Sir I was given a cool reply to send my transcript and CV almost three weeks now which I couldn't do till now because I had difficulties getting my CV out from this Nigerian schools, I had to even pay to extra cash to smuggle it out. Can you go through my CV and what possible action can be taken to avoid same reason on strong research profile. Thank you so much everyone adding value

Your observations are not misplaced. Give your plan a try.

As for what action can be taken to avoid the lack of research excuse, I don't think you can do much now except "packaging" your experiences or resumé better. You could also take more independent research or try to attach yourself to some Profs over here just to gain more research rank.

emmalexbaba:
pls when can u advice me to write the Gre exams.

When you are sufficiently prepared and your practice tests are showing the scores you hope to achieve on the main day.

Dexty10:
Hello guys.
I intend to take the GRE in August ending. How best should I register? On the Ets Gre site or with the likes of M.Y Mafit?
And is one month enough to prepare for the exam?

Use B.Y MAFIT. They are cheaper. You pay N50k with them and $205 (77k) if you do it on your own.

1 month depends on how quick you are at learning or how much time you have to practice. For best results, use at least 2 and a half months to read and practice.

jaybiz007:
Thanks for the prompt response my Oga. My 'pm' they misbehave.

Seen.

obene12:
Now at this point do I go back to my undergraduate supervisor to explain things to him so I can get my work published after several years. We never saw eye to eye, all data presentation where done by me without his supervision. Help needed pls

Hmmm. I feel you.

Yes, your Prof's interpretation is not wrong but she did not grasp the entirety of the Canadian Profs response to you.

1. He would take you on if you are aiming for an MPhil or a PhD but feels iffy about it because of the deficit in your research resume. As a result, he does not feel convinced about selling you to his Dept for funding.

2. If you could secure an external scholarship yourself, he would take you on as an advisor for your MSc and after working with you, he could then feel certain about recommending you for the MPhil/PhD funding.

Solution 1: Send him an unpublished copy of your work outlining the challenges you had in getting it published. Explain to him about how wanting Nigerian Tertiary education is with respect to research and how you are an exception.

You might tell him your plans to get that work published but I don't know if time is on your side. That is why I am imploring you to re-sell yourself to him. Understand, he does not want to back someone up who would end up disappointing him. So dig deep and find ways to convince him.

Solution 2: is not easy as well. Securing external scholarship is not as easy as snapping one's fingers. You have to let him know that PRESSID (no longer exists), NDDC (does not sponsor to Canada), PTDF (not available till next year), NITDA (is for IT/ICT related disciplines) etc etc.

I mean, let him know that there are not many or any scholarships around that you would have applied for. Will MasterCard foundation work in this school? Just show him your passion, commitment and handicap (funding wise).

May the forces be with you!

jaybiz007:
Glad to have you back scholastica16. I eventually got into a fully-funded MSc. program program at Auburn university. I hope your contingency plans come through in this admission cycle. It will be a huge plus to the black race to have you in a good PhD program in the US.

I would be glad if you could link me up with your pal that got into Auburn's PhD program.

Mr Topiipii, long time no email. Colorado no get joy at all.

Baba, I am so happy for you!

You are one of the very rare success cases MSc wise. Thanks for the compliment.

I would do as you requested now now. Expect feedback from me.

Topiipii:
I am not sure about that part, I am even yet to mail the prof as I got the mail late at night and I was about to leave for home then.

Vanderbilt is a super top school, they're way better than Colorado State at robotics and control systems in fact, but almost impossible to attend (>65k/year) without funding unless Davido gives me a share of his 30 billion.

I wish you success with PTDF, when are the results due?

Oya na, reply the email sharp sharp let us hear what he has to say. No time for emotions when it comes to these things o. Vanderbilt all the way except they don't give funding

The results for PTDF will surely be released in August. When in August, I have no idea. Part of why I am sure I got it is because a staff of the vendor they used to conduct the exams called me on the 20th even though he tried to be coded. I reasoned they had no reason to call me if they were planning on not offering me the thing

Let me not get too excited. But it sure would make up for the past few months.

Which reminds me, people need to keep reporting their GRE experiences here as the exams and nature of questions might be evolving. Study tips, exam strategies, dos and don'ts etc are equally welcome.

We know GRE dates are filled up till August 29th, which means people are actively writing this exams but not as many people come here to report scores for the benefit of others. It is unfair.

So our silent readers, shake body.

emmalexbaba:
Pls I need your advice , I want to apply for a masters in unilag which will start by Jan , 2018 and end probably by Jan, 2019, and I also want to apply for GRE next year, I really want to know if it will be easy to study for my masters and also study for my GRE, pls I need ur advice guys, because I want to use the Gre for PhD application in US

It depends on you. GRE does not require plenty reading, just practice and more of it.

If you can take out time say 1hr per week from now till next year just getting into terms with what the GRE entails, then using most of next year to practice once a week, I think you can make it work.

Topiipii:
I chose Colorado State instead, did not request an I-20 from Vanderbilt since the fees would be too high without any form of assistantship. I got a mail from the Vanderbilt grad coord after my post that I have been assigned an advisor, but I am not too sure about him since his research areas are mostly different from mine. I considered him when I was applying but settled for two others profs one is now at Oregon State and no longer accepts grad students at Vanderbilt as a result even if she still teaches classes for the mean time, while the other seems to be retired or inactive now.

I did PTDF twice, the second one I did was really galling, I just decided to put my focus elsewhere.

Man congrats. Seems you are really particular about robotics and the likes (saw your transcript). I am saying this because doesn't being assigned an advisor mean that funding don show?

You are willing to bone it for Colorado State even without funding? You are already my mentor

Vanderbilt is a top school oh, I know you are fully aware. I sha trust any decisions you make.

This was my 3rd attempt at PTDF. I guess 3 times is the charm.

folakemmmi:
Thank you, I am just worried my GRE isn't enough and most of these Faculties that I have mailed are not replying. Is it advisable to just apply without having to contact profs before applying? Did your friend had any initial contacts with Faculties? I got admission for Msc in 2015 at University of Maryland College park with my 307 GRE but no funding, so I had to go to the UK for my Msc, hence I am skeptical about applying again to UMC.

My dear, the not replying part is prevalent. Don't take it personally. Keep trying viz-a-viz contacting grad coords and asking them their policies about contacting faculty.

While it is not necessary to contact POIs before getting admitted into many US programs, it is usually expedient to. That is why I recommend it. Be that as it may, many others have gotten accepted into great programs without hearing from or contacting any advisors. Many of such people are even on this thread!

My friend had zero contacts with anyone in Auburn until he was accepted. He only got in touch (more like was reached out to) by a member of the Civil Engineering dept that wanted to work with him. As for UIUC (MSc), Purdue (PhD but nothing till now), North Carolina (MSc) - he did not get through to any POIs as none replied him.

Well, you should have no fear about UMCP since getting funding for MSc na real war. It is a different kettle of fish when it comes to PhDs as they are almost obliged/mandated to fund you.

The very fact that you already have an MSc from the U.K. with a great GPA should be your trump card. One reason this is, is because the fear that you were only using the direct PhD route as a means to get an MSc and vamoose right after is gone seeing that, well, you already have an MSc. So don't be skeptical.

As per writing a new GRE, that is also recommended if you have the time to. It would open you to more schools which is never bad at all.

athorello:
I need recommendation on schools with solid geophysics research program. Thanks!

You might want to read OjaP's posts. He must have answered questions like this ad nauseam.

drhopeful:
Yay!!!!! Scholastica16 is back!!!! I am so sorry for all the rejects. Congrats on the admission. I am just wondering how they expect you to fund a PhD from your pocket. Anyway, like others have said, please do not quit. I totally understand how you feel having been in your shoes in 2015. Two years later, things turned around after I changed country of focus. If you can get an MSc, that would be great. The PhD admission with funding would then be easier to get. All the best dear. We are all rooting for you!

I am always encouraged by your posts and I actively seek them out whenever I am on this platform. Thank you very very much.

I really don't know why Michigan left me stuck in limbo as I always assumed funding came automatically with getting accepted. I know better now.

Me quit? Those are 2 words you'd never hear. I only wish I made just 1 MSc application so I would use the PTDF scholarship for it. But any which way, things would get clearer when the list drops officially.

I just know one way or the other, I would find myself in the US partaking in a solid PhD program.

Time2Smile:
Welcome back pal. I really missed you. What is the world on Michigan State funding? They can't expect you to do PhD with your personal fund.

I also noticed the trend of those with MSc, especially coming from developing countries being at an advantage. And let not even get started on Indians, Chinese and Iranians favoring their countrymen.
Would be willing to give you my email address if you will like to keep in touch outside of Nairaland.

I missed you guys alot too.

I tire for Michigan State. But this type of waitlist for funding is not unheard of.

I would be more than honored to keep in touch outside of Nairaland.

folakemmmi:
Hello, I am looking to apply for Phd in Civil Engineering for fall 2018, I will like to know the school your friend got the fully funded Phd offer. My Msc gpa is 4.0/4.0, undergrad cgpa: 3.41/4, Toelf:95, GRE: 307 but I am planning to re-write the GRE in August though. Any suggestions about schools will be appreciated

Hi,
Your profile is on point.

My friend got fully-funded by Auburn University in Alabama. He was also admitted by Purdue, UIUC and North Carolina. You may want to check them out yourself. Purdue and NC dragged foot on funding and UIUC was for MSc (but they would definitely fund you if you are admitted for PhD).

Don't let your GRE weigh on you. I am guessing your MSc was in the UK or similar? It helps a great deal. Also, your undergrad GPA is not bad at all. Coupled with the perfect Msc GPA, you have a really solid profile that can make up for the average GRE score.

I think you should also check Washington State Uni and Uni of Maryland College Park. They both bounced him but he applied for direct PhD so that could be the reason.

Topiipii:
Glad to see you back!
I have disturbed all grad coordinators and even mailed some profs without reply. The grad cords at Vanderbilt and Wyoming told me they have no funding available, but I am still hoping that at least one of my TA applications at Colorado State and Tntech is successful.
I went to the embassy yesterday, visa was approved after a short interview.

I am still hoping for the best for you though.

P.S I noticed that there are about ten students accepted for MS at Vanderbilt this fall from a mail recently sent by the grad coord, everyone there is either Indian or Chinese. I spoke to a former classmate who is a PhD student there and he said they take more Chinese and few Blacks/Indians because the ratio of profs follow the admission pattern, in fact they just had their second black prof.

So happy to hear from you bro. Happy your visa is in the bag as well.

I know they are having serious reservations about funding us head-on and stellar GRE or TOEFL scores don't seem to be enough till they get first hand experience.

Well, I have no doubt that when they see what you are made of in the first semester, the rest of your time there will be on a full-ride. That is, if you don't even get the scholarship on arriving there.

Congrats bro and all the best at Vanderbilt (?), I have a hunch that they provided your I-20.

Thanks again for the well-wishes. I am a hopeless Optimist, so yea, I am still expectant.

As for the highlighted portion, exactly what I have been observing. We don overcome already.

Why did you not try your hands on PTDF?

bagger293:
I checked Switzerland, there are a few scholarship opportunities...but none of the universites which offer full scholarships have the course I'd like to study. For US, I don't like studying in there..

Well, that is part of why a lot of us are here. Because they provide basically all that other countries can at a more consistent rate.

Why not USA if I may ask?

temi4fash:
Hello Bro,

Can you explain how to use grad cafe??

Most profile i see there looks old??

I dont seem to see recent profiles in there.

Can you assist with putting through.

Thanks

Search for 'Grad Cafe results' on your Google searchbox. You would see a link almost named same. Clicking it will open you to reported results from the day you are checking which can be adjusted by changing the search terms such as; viewing only reports of a day ago, 2 days ago, a week or month ago.

Alternatively, in the grad cafe search box in the page above, search for specific schools and courses whilst adjusting the time frame to get more recent reports. For e.g, if you type 'Engineering Carolina', the results will show all reported admissions from any school related to Carolina. You can adjust the time frame to reflect "all time", "past week" etc as the case may be.

The "all time" time frame usually has alot of pages which helps one study trends across years. There are other more intricate ways of plying through threads and discussions but, you may have to figure that out on your own

happyday:
Hmm, it's well. Let's count on Michigan for now then. Getting into LSU's ChemE is becoming hard of late. Same for other Houston schools, outside UT Austin. A common factor I've seen though is that, even with little or no research experience, most int'l admits had really superb undergrad GPA OR compensated with very high GRE scores. Either one or the other.

Having a Nigerian faculty in these depts would definitely make things easier. Even if they aren't currently accepting students, they'd know of other profs with funding. But there's none here, AFAIK. Hence why we need people like you to[i] not[/i] give up, so we can have our people there.

I can live with the fact that those who got accepted had significantly better research experience, rapport with POIs, better standardized tests scores etc. But it is a very hard pill to swallow when the Iranian posting his acceptance cannot even string coherent sentences together.

Anyways, make I leave am as e dey. Thanks brother.

mfarad:
Glad you're back man! Reading your post capped my day.
Nice plan You've got there. Still, while I believe your UK detour is a good move (efficient use of the 1 year wait), I still hope you get the funding package from MSU.

As for me, I've switched majors. I'm now interested in Industrial Engineering (operations research). I'm also considering an MSc in Nigeria to bolster my getting admitted/funded...
Once again, welcome!

Your plan too is very good. I just wish Nigerian schools can consider 1-year Masters programs as against the 2 years that it currently is.

Have a great day.

OjaP:
Smart choice with Chemical Engineering. Have you checked Washington State Uni.? They have a strong Chemical Engineering program and funding. You can still get in with a BSc. I think timing and availability of funds matter a lot. Don't give up....keep pushing. Winners never quit.

Thank you very much.

I would keep them on my shortlist just incase.

You are very correct about timing and availability of funds. I have no options, I would heed the sound advice and not quit.

bagger293:
Thank you very much brother...I have checked the universities in Finland but I haven't seen any scholarship opportunity which covers everything including living cost.The universities being tution free, one has to cater for his living and other costs, I've checked TU Delft too

That is the problem: apart from the US and to some degree Canada, it is very difficult to find a completely fully-funded post graduate program anywhere else let alone Europe.

It is not impossible, but it is difficult. Have you looked at Switzerland?

bagger293:
Good day bruv...having gone through this thread..I developed interest to write GRE and TOEFL...first of all..here is my profile ..
Graduate of Electrical Engineering (CGPA 4.22/5), I'm planning to write TOEFL and GRE, please which universities in Europe grant full time scholarships for Msc? Also, is it possible to secure a fully funded Phd in the US? If yes, which universities may I earn that opportunity?..Thank you very much in advance

Again, your GPA is good.

I don't know much about schools in Europe but I know most German MSc programs are tuition free. You might consider them.

Take note however, you would need to front €8000 for room and board for a year.

I know Finland has the same Tuition free regimen as well as Norway (?). Brother Amofum might enlighten you more on France and you might check the Netherlands Visa thread to research TUDelft as well.

As for your 2nd question, yes, it is possible to secure a fully-funded Direct PhD admission off the bat. It takes grace and serendipity.

For possible schools, you may need to do your own research but one tip that would help you is to check admission results on grad cafe in the last 4 or 5 months.

You want to be a researcher, so take your time to study reported schools and profiles. You can then send emails to grad coordinators to inquire more, or jump the gun and email potential advisors straight.

Someone on NL got fully-funded by Montana Tech/University of Montana for a PhD in EEE. You might start from there.

Good luck!

Cephas0009:
Got rejected by both UH and KSU... Obviously Fall17 is out of reach

Going back to the drawing board

It is well.

So you would send as many potential advisors emails this time around. That is something I would consider if I am to retry.

If you can just get 1 person to respond, it will be easy like a Sunday morning.

Cephas0009:
It's glad to have you back Scholastica16... All will definitely end in praise

Amen. Thanks man.

How is your end?

Jamaticulus:
Please...as regards to your last statement. Are there consequences for not doing so?

The thing is, you may want to opt for the ETS package where they get to make your profile available to schools who could try to recruit you directly.

Also, sometimes B.Y MAFIT are known to mess people's passwords up which could be frustrating for you if you want to make any actions on your profile by yourself.

So it is more like a safety measure against untoward and unforeseen circumstances.

Jamaticulus:
Here's my profile:
Undergraduate GPA: (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, from Nigeria uni, ) 4.75/5 (WES- Make person help me with that)
TOEFL: Planning to write
GRE: Looking to write by October.. haven't registered yet....looking to ace 320 or more

Publication: One in an international journal, two others are under review
Conference Proceedings: 1 with a presentation at same conference.

Target Schools:
University of Maryland, Texas state University, University of Illinois, Northwestern University and Drexel University

(No categorisation, since safe schools are no longer safe)
Still searching for others (applying to few schools due to financial constraints, after all it's only one admit one needs )

Make una elders help me review this oh. You can also recommend schools to me

I wanna apply straight to PhD with full funding.

Your profile is (VERY) good. I would only advice you wrote the GRE earlier than Oct (say September) just so you can put forward your applications in Oct or latest, the month after.

Early applications are given priority for admission and funding in many schools. Your WES will be above 3.7/4 by my rough estimation.

Also, your school choices are not bad but try to study admission results on grad cafe to see reports of people issued Direct PhDs with funding, date the admission was offered and in some ways profiles.

It will help in directing you to schools that would readily fund you and how early you would hear from them. For e.g, if I knew this tidbit when I was putting forward my applications, I would have known to expect a school like Mississippi State Uni to respond in July for engineering PhD applicants. They did exactly this 2016 and 2015....I am sure even 2012. The point is, they would not change their trend for you or anyone. Same goes WRT funding.

To that end, Auburn responded in April and funded almost all the reports on grad cafe. Their profiles were not better than what you have above. In fact, my friend that got into the Civil Engineering PhD fully funded had 4.55/5 GPA, 320 GRE 4 AWA and 99 TOEFL which you could easily mirror or eclipse.

So you may want to check when the schools you have above responded to applicants and how readily they funded them. You may also want to know if contacting POIs is more important than scoring 320+ in your GRE.