kaluram

I haven't been here for a while, so this is really late, but anyway, I got a full fellowship from Berkeley with stipend.

Well even though they ask you the question about when you plan to move out, the contract terms are stated along with the rates and they specifically mention a year contract, unless it states for an academic year only. I think we're still liable to pay for it even in the summer. You may move out if you wish, but still have to pay for it. Can anybody else verify this ? On another note, does anybody know what's the exact tuition for a quarter for engineering students ? I found some information on the website, but it was quite confusing. I even called them up and they refer you back to the website without giving you an answer.

One thing that I don't understand is why do they make you sign a year contract(for most housing options). All the schools I've known of have separate summer contracts only if you wish to take classes. A majority of the students generally don't live in school during the summer. Thoughts on this ? The obvious thing I can think of is just making money, rather than keeping the apartments empty.

Seems like most of housing options at Stanford are for a full year contract, and I definetely don't intend to attend school in the summer. Crothers seem to be the cheapest, but doesn't seem to have a private kitchen. I'm am a preferred vegetarian and hence like cooking. Any idea which housing is good for a reasonable rate ? What all housing options are your guys on a quarter system(non-law students) choosing ?

Yevgor: I know this was going to be debated hence I was refraining about mentioning choosing Stanford over Berkeley. I've visited both campuses, talked to profs from both schools and I definetely like both the projects and profs at Stanford much better, not just the industrial connection and location. It's a personal thing. Here's the way I look at it at Stanford: if I am eventually going to pursue a Phd, I'm going to definetely get funding, at worst it's a matter of 4-5 quarters. Plus 40-50K is what they advertise, realistically it's $7k tuition per quarter + living expenses. Even if you don't get aid right away, working part time is always an option. Plus I've talked to Profs who are willing to help when I get on campus.

I couldn't agree more. Demand your money back !!

Nice one.

Any idea about the housing guys like I asked in my previous post ? It seems a majority of you are opting for on campus housing.

Hey guys, I just accepted Stanford. Now the next few things to do is look for housing, roomates etc. BTW I'm in the MS/PhD EE program. For those of you who already done your research, is it cheaper to live on campus or share an apartment off campus. How do the rates compare? I currently don't have any aid, so I'm planning to go with the bare minimum. Anybody got any idea around here, what to go with? I'd assume cooking obviously will be cheaper, so living offcampus will be help in that sense. Does the graduate housing have kitchens ? Also, another dilemma, I'm facing is how to go about going from a H1-B to a F-1 visa. I'm put some questions here in the link below. If anybody knows the answers, it'll be much appreciated. http://www.www.urch.com/forums/admissions-results/47198-h1-b-f-1-visa-transfer.html

Folks, I'm currently on a H1-B, but will be attending graduate school(Stanford) in the Fall. Before that I was on a F-1 visa until Oct 2005(started working on an OPT in Jan2005 and then got a H1-B). I've read about problems that people have showing temporary intent when switching from a H1-B to a F-1. What's the easiest way to tackle this problem ? How easy is it to file for a F-1 visa in Canada or Mexico rather than your home country ? Also, I heard that it's easiest to do a change of status with USCIS, but the problem doing it here is the time it takes to get the change of status done can vary between 4-6 months and I do not want to be out of a job if my status change gets approved in a month or so. Please advice. Some more questions, if anybody has been in this situation or knows the answers. 1. How long does it realistically take to convert from H1-B to F1 status, and hence if I need to start school on September 22nd, when should I apply? 2. Can I start school once I apply for change of status or do I have to wait to get my F1 apporoval notice? 3. Once I apply for change of status, can I continue working on my current H1-B visa? If yes, till what time? 4. Is there any premium processing for F1 visa, or not? Thanks in advance.

I see, so you're planning on accepting elsewhere if you don't get aid from Stanford. Did I get it right ?

This might be on a person to person basis. Have you already received an extension ? If not, how can you be sure that they'll grant you the extension. Your email will only be read on Monday, Apr 24th. The offer formally expires today, April 23rd. Also, how are you planning on accepting the offer; by emailing the admissions office or via the net as they have mentioned in the student guide ?

I don't know anybody that has received an offer yet. The reason I know that they have sent out all the aid offers is because I've been corresponding with the department and a few days ago they told me that the last set of offers are going to go out that day.

Has anybody here heard anything yet? They have sent out all there aid offers by now.

I haven't officialy rejected Berkeley yet. To answer thedog's question, I'm an international student in the US. BTW, Berkeley admitted approximately 75 EE students worldwide with around 35-40 from the US.