happyday:


@ tuffpuff, this! Thanks ridsan4real

Happyday, I appreciate your input. Cheers!

ridsan4real:

hey tuffpuff. sorry about your denial. I believe it will surely end well. You can reapply against fall 2018 if u have a decent profile. According to SirRiddy, make contact with the professor before application and apply EARLY! Early application is also very important! if you have d financial capacity, apply to 2 schools above your profile, 2 schools within your profile and 2 schools below your profile and slot in your application around Sept/Oct....and I believe it will surely end well. If you have d opportunity of rewriting GRE...you can proceed....this is my one cent opinion tho.I believe you can do it!

Thank you very much ridsan4real.

Good morning friends,

Update from K-State: They are unable to offer me Assistantship thus not recommended for admission. I tried all possible positions to sleep last night but rarely did. That I was waitlisted for GTA gave me an exponential hope. I'm perplexed whether to retake the GRE & TOEFL and aim for higher/competitive scores, or send current scores to other safe schools for Fall 2018.....my head is muddled with different thoughts. Though I contacted a Prof. in Canada who gave me a go-ahead to apply, I don't know the measure of solace to take in it.
Please your suggestions would be highly appreciated.
For all awaiting feedback, I pray for positive results. God bless you.

drhopeful:
I might sound crazy but after 2 sleepless nights of thorough contemplation, I think I will have to resign the Penn State appointment. Yes, I have spent about 300k to send transcripts, ship I-20 and paid reservation on an apartment lease but it's really about what I want out of the PhD program. The stipend Virginia is offering is actually a little less than Penn but it's a GRA that is guaranteed till I finish my program so long as I maintain 3.0GPA, and the research fellowship covers all tuition fees and health insurance. On top of that, my POI guarantees funding for travel for conferences, and pushes his students to deliver poster presentations and publish papers every year. He seems to invest a lot of time in his students and I really like that. And in that department, there are 3 other Profs in the same research area. That encourages sharing of information and the students can always assist and encourage each other.

On the Other hand, Penn State offers a GTA for the first year and you are supposed to explore research areas within your first year and hopefully match a Prof that can offer you GRA. If that fails, then you are stuck with GTA till you find GRA or maybe till the end of your program. In my case, there is only 1 Prof in my research area. So the big question is ...what if she does not have funding? And I remember her telling me last 2 years when I was just exploring that she had no funding and that if I were to apply and be accepted, my only hope would be the departmental GTA which is what is happening now. I tried to contact her again during this application process but she never responded. So I don't know if situations have changed.

My main objective of studying for a PhD is build research skills and I want to start developing that from day 1. That will even facilitate an early completion of the program. I don't want to be stuck 'building communication skills' and at the end of the first year, I can't even set up a simple experiment and no headway on how to start my research. The other good thing about Virginia is that in my 3rd/4th year, I will be required to serve partly as a TA to build communication skills. That way, it's like getting the best of both worlds.

Whilst Carnegie Mellon rejected me, I was never going to go there because they are not strong in my research area. In fact, they don't even offer it. I know I might sound silly but I just wanted to test it because Nastydamus was going to apply there and he had my same GRE scores, LOL. The last school is UPitt, no news from that end at all and frankly, I can't be bothered.

No, I am not waiting for Ohio. I spent my money and time to apply and I want to know what they eventually decide. It's also a fully funded program through strictly GRAs.

In the end, Penn State is higher ranked than UVA but I don't think the difference is so significant. I don't want to join a program that I am not really happy with just because of a 'little bit more name' . And I really hope that I am making the right decision. It's the immensity of my contribution to knowledge that will give me Green Card (if Trump go gree) and a rewarding career in research.

Sorry for my long speech this hot Sunday afternoon!

Drhopeful: I'd begin by saying a mighty congratulations to you on your offers, especially the one from UVA. As I read your post stating the offer from UVA, I was like...'haaaa Drhopeful must jump at this'! But going down and discovering you had obtained I-20 and processed SEVIS payment with respect to Pennstate, I couldn't but exclaim 'Oh no'!!...lol.
I frankly respect your decision. PhD is research intensive. I feel there's nothing as juicy as having an opportunity to travel for conferences and make presentations in the course of doing a PhD. Not only will it enhance building of research skills, it helps build a professional network as well. Infact I've been thinking, when I eventually get a GTA and I develop a good rapport with a Professor in my field, I wouldn't mind switching to an GRA. I feel it gives a student enough time to concentrate on research rather than doing a research and teaching, grading, etc simultaneously.
Moreso, your professor could recommend you to research institutes to do some research work, some of which could eventually pave way for job opportunities in the future. When you amass these skills and become highly productive in the research industry, God can make Trump himself hand you a green card...
Thumps up (both hands and legs thumps!.. ) to you for your decision. You'll recover all you spent processing PennState in manifolds. May God give you more excellence spirit as you lunch out. By the way, please change your moniker to Profhopeful as I envisage that in the nearest future..

PS: Abeg make una no mind my cut & join grammer o....if to say na maths now, the formula for connect the variables logically and coherently..

aanexplus:


Sorry about that.

Thank you. All will be well...

OGreene:
How many more left?

I have one left. You see why you need to pray more for me right?

Scholastica16:


It has been very competitive this year especially for STEM courses. They are receiving far more applications than they would have a few years back and it has skewed the whole admission shebang.

I can totally relate with whatever you are going through - may be even more. I know Kansas State admitted you in wait so I am hoping the funding situation is resolved and you get it.

It is not easy to look past it as every single thing you do will remind you of the rejection to the point that you'd begin to question yourself. Do you sometimes wonder how you could have improved your application any better so that the decisions won't have hurt? Do you wonder if it was better you made 20 applications and not 8 or 4?

If these things mirror exactly what you are going through, then you are not alone. One thing I am sure of is things will iron themselves out one way or the other. I am probably just consoling myself but it helps me sleep at night.

Anyways #TeamFall2017

Thank you Scholar. Just exactly what goes on in my mind! Wishing I applied to X,Y,Z....wishing I did better in test scores....and so on. It is well

nastydamus:


Don't let it get to you man, you'll get offers from other schools (here's hoping you still have some applications under review).

Thanks man. I have one school left, and waitlisted for GTA.

reDazey:

tuffpuff, sorry for the decisions. I know you still have some schools left. Keep expecting a positive outcome. Also, we both applied for the same course in K-State and we were waitlisted for funding. All I can say right now, everything will turn out fine.

I pray dear....K-State is the only one left o. I hope it turns out beautifully.

drhopeful:
I am so sorry. Chin up! All will be well.

Thank you drhopeful.

Update!
Got a second decision and second rejection!
This time from University of Rochester
I sent them an email, requesting to know the part(s) of my application that wasn't competitive enough to secure me an offer. Their reply was that the decision does not necessarily reflect a significant shortcoming in my application. They had over 100 applications for only 5 slots!

It is well is all I can say right now. But its hurting at the same time

Toakins:
Congrats Dr hopeful and iCool.
I am a silent and religious follower of this thread. I recently got a reject mail from Kansas state. The email stated that I was qualified but no grant funding.. no professor has funds... blah blah. They said they were sorry that not all qualified candidates are usually accepted because of their low acceptance rate.
I had previously contacted the grad coordinator before who said funds were available. I don't even understand but it is well.
I pray we all get into the best programs with full funding.

Please which program did you apply to? I sent you a prompt.

Scholastica16:


University of New Mexico. Saw 2 attachments and thought one was my acceptance and the other my "funding" letter so I hurriedly opened it. You can imagine my shock when I saw "I regret" somewhere. I could have reported it but I came online and saw you celebrating PennState, so I went back to silently moan.

I guess it is -2/8 now for me.

It is well with you Scholar. Those schools have lost a genius! I'm positive you'll have robust offers from your remaining applications.

drhopeful:
And it's Penn State breaking the ice!!!!! Acceptance with full funding for first year. Subsequent funding dependent on 3.0gpa blah blah and availability of funding..... Now I am relieved!!!! Thank you guys for all the encouragement!!!

Great one! Congratulations drhopeful!!

iCool:
Decision 3/5

University of Houston, An ACCEPTANCE.


Accepted in the 3 decisions received so far - I am humbled...


Got a $1k scholarship and in-state tuition.

wow! icool, this is really cool! Congratulations!!!

jaybiz007:

Congrats in advance bro.
If what they said is true, then why did they accept me quite early without any indication of funding? I even emphasized that I do not have funds in my application. K-state is just a let down or maybe I'm just overreacting.

My brother...perhaps different programs have quite different procedures of processing admissions and funding. It is possible your program makes admission decisions and give out offers, then funding follows. Pls just stay calm, I believe you will get funding. Having emphasized that you do not have funds and still got accepted early, to me that is a sign that you have a propitious chance of getting funding. I'd say you should keep your hopes high.

sirRiddy:
tuffpuff
Good initiative you took emailing your admission guys.
I hope one of the people who have offers reject them so you can
be accepted. Good luck and expect good news from your end soon.
By the way, which program did you apply to?
PS: If you are still awaiting decisions by next month, especially when your school
does rolling admission, it would be wise to email them asking about the state
of your application. Some schools will not even send a reject email due to the
sheer volume of applications they get while others are just outright unprofessional.

Thank you sirRiddy, I applied to Statistics Program (PhD)

Good morning friends
I heartily felicitate all who have been admitted. For those waiting for decisions (on admission/funding), please stay optimistic. God who started it will finish it perfectly and favorably.
I got an email from my Graduate Coordinator yesterday(K-State), with an update on the status of my application. She wrote that I am one among others currently on hold for possible TA offer, and that if am being given, the department would recommend my application for admission to Graduate School. Also, as I didn’t show available personal funds in the Affidavit of Financial support form, my application has not yet been recommended for admission to the Graduate School.
She concluded by letting me know that an application cannot be recommended for admission to graduate school unless there is an offer for Assistantship and/or show of personal funds in the Affidavit of financial support form.
I’m hopeful and trusting God.

SirRiddy, Scholastica16, Time2Smile, Hirschfelder, Seeker88,…etc, you’re all inspiring. God bless you for your good works on this thread. You’ll not go unrewarded!

PS: I emailed her to kindly update me on the status of my application.

Good morning friends...
For those interested in PhD Statistics, pls check this out:

http://scholarship-positions.com/phd-scholarship-statistics-university-wollongong-australia/2017/02/01/
The deadline is 1st March, 2017

There is also Australian Academy of Science Doctoral Fellowship at 37,000 Euros per year (tax inclusive) for all disciplines
http://scholarship-positions.com/austrian-academy-of-sciences-doctoral-fellowship-programme/2016/02/02/
Deadline is September 15th, 2017

Pls I'd like the house to clarify me on this:
The education consulting firm that registered me for GRE indicated "Small Business Operations" as Intended Graduate Major rather than the Mathematics and Statistics I gave them when I furnished them with my info for registration. Could this have any bearing on my applications?
I had ignored it all along but its recently occurring to me as an aberration.
Thank you

Scholastica16:
Will respond to my mentions in a wee bit.

Just saw your post and thought to chime in.



Emory has a history of not accepting international students. If I had known you were applying there I would have told you point blank not to waste your time. I guess the application fee waiver was an incentive.

If it would act as a form of consolation for you, most applicants on grad cafe forum for Emory University are reporting rejections and the consensus is that Emory generally has a reputation for preferring American citizens never mind the low acceptance rate. In other words, it is not your AWA or SOPs and so on that limited you.

Thank you very much scholar. Yea, you guessed right...I had the application fee waived.

Time2Smile:

No, no, no, no I don't agree with the bolded. You have to do away with that mindset, where is your faith and resolve? Why did you apply to 3 schools,is it not to spread the risk? You got a reject which means you still have 2 schools which would probably give you admission. Please you have to be a lot more positive and optimistic. I read your test transcript and you seem to hint that some forces are against you. I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. Let me put it this way "You would meet God where you put him" . If you believe you would get admission after putting in the necessary work, then you would, but if your attitude is defeatist, then ..........................

Thank you very much Time2Smile. I made the post out of despondency most probably because its my first experience. But later, I became remorseful about my words, reflecting on how God has been there for me. Seeing your post, I have also thought of great achievers who at some points fail along the success ladder. I hereby retract every pessimism I had expressed. I deeply appreciate your kind input. MORALE, HIGH!!! Lol...

Good morning Friends,
I checked my email this morning and was greeted with a rejection from Emory University.
I scored more than the minimum TOEFL and GRE requirements.
I'm wondering if its my 3.5 AWA score or SOP or LORs.
To be candid, I didn't choose schools wisely, never considered that it was a private school with acceptance rate of about 25%. I saw all these after my applications. Unfortunately, of the remaining two schools, one is also private. Looks like am missing Fall'17 already.
Wish I was on this great thread even prior to taking my tests and subsequently making my applications. Its hurting!
I'll ever remain thankful to all members of the thread. I've learnt a lot from you all. I shall keep the house abreast of the rest.
#GodBeWithYou#

Scholastica16:
Thanks to everyone who kept asking and showing concern. My TOEFL was released today.

(R 29 L 29 S 26 W 28) composite: 112

Nothing earth-shattering. The highlight of my score is my speaking of 26 (which I didn't expect as I had informed the house earlier that I barely ever finished explaining myself when the time elapsed. One other time I meant to say 'dilemma' (someone was stuck between choices) and I ended up saying 'debacle'. Quickly changed it to predicament which is a good synonym for dilemma. I felt it would come-out imprecise to whoever was scoring me sha but it is whatever. Lowlight will be the writing joor. I expected a full 30 as I constantly compared myself to the Indians and Russians online that got 115-118 with perfect Writing scores.

I want to accuse ETS of malfeasance and demographic bias in scoring but I don't have empirical evidence.

I know this is a GRE thread but if anyone is preparing for TOEFL especially the speaking aspect do not panic if you are talking and you see the seconds ticking away. The evidence shows that one's overall score is not affected by this. Do not also panic if you finish talking way before the time. I don't think it hurts one's overall score as well. Try to pronounce your words slowly (many don't know this but Nigerians are accused of talking too fast).

Cheers.

Wowwwww!!! Congratulations Scholar! Great Scores! Get ready for better testimonies because God is planting your feet on higher grounds. Wish you greater heights dear.

godG:


Try UW-Madison.

Thank you godG.
I checked but their Fall 2017 deadline was December 1st 2016. I'm still grateful, am happy to have known about the school. God bless you real good.

@Time2Smile:
A big congratulations to you!!!
What a score!!!
What a triumphant entry into the new year!!!
May you keep having uninterrupted smiles!!! You shall have better smiles...smiles that widen from ear to ear.....lol! Congrats dear.

@Hushee:
Thank you very much. I'm greatly inspired.

@ Scholastica16: It is well with you. I pray your scores are released in earnest.

Scholastica16:


Let me reiterate that 8 months ago I may have egged you on to rewrite but considering what I know now I think it is unnecessary if you are considering fall admission.

For one, your Undergrad and graduate GPAs are very competitive. How valuable this is, goes without saying.

Second, you have very strong research experience which is the aim of graduate work (even over intelligence or high standardized test scores).

Third, your standardized test scores are actually competitive. Don't get sucked in by bloggers and their clamour for 320+ scores. If you feel insecure about it then find a creative way to infuse it into your SOP and explain why. Your GPA(s) already evince that you are a consistently high performer and I doubt test scores (that are way above average BTW can tarnish that). Same goes for your TOEFL @ a composite score of 100. Except the top top Ivies I doubt any other schools had a cut off as high as even 93. Hope your speaking score is above 22 or thereabouts. It helps.

Scholar, I lack apt words to express my hearty gratitude to you for your insightful response. You have allayed my fears and am more optimistic than ever. My speaking score is 24. Thank you very much.

Dear Beloved Friends,
I greet you all, wishing you a prosperous new year! Its my first time on this forum. I could see your selfless contributions to each other's progress. God will not leave you unrewarded! I wish I joined this thread before taking my standardized tests and selecting schools. However, I still draw maximum courage from you all especially SirRiddy, Danja, Toppiipii, Pennystate, Drhopefully, Scholarstical, to mention but a few.
Although am not attempting to justify myself for the low GRE scores, I suffered a stomach upset on the day of the test. Intermittently, I held my stomach while taking the test. For about 10 minutes I couldn't make a reasonable introduction to my AWA Issue topic. I was almost crying on my seat, saying to myself "upon all the reading?" Eventually, it was 310 (Verbal=152; Quant.=158) and AWA=3.5. I took the TOEFL 10 days later and the devil's younger brother still followed me with a runny stomach that morning. After the reading and listening parts, I asked one of the proctors if I could cancel and be rescheduled but he said no. I prayed and finished up. But I cried after the test because it just reminded me of how I finished up my degree exams from a sick bed. 11 days later I surprisingly saw a score of 100.
Although I've applied to 3 schools (KSU, Emory and Rochester), am still thinking whether to rewrite. Am worried that these may not get me funding. Please I need your suggestions. I'm seeking admission and funding into PhD Statistics. My academic profile is B.Sc 4.54/5 and M.Sc 4.87/5 with 3 research publications, though I don't know the American equivalent on 4-point scale.
I'd like to start preparing again in earnest if am to retake the test(s). Please help a brother. Am so grateful and privileged to join you guys. Thanks and God be with you.