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.

I just got the same reply. They sent out a few aid offers yesterday. There are just a few more to be sent out. There is still hope.

youngcool a few days ago asked the same question in this forum titled "April 15 policy enquiry" Here's what I suggested him: I'd say get in writing from UT Austin that they'll offer you aid(if urgent get a copy faxed from the department), and then send a polite email to UFL saying you'd like to withdraw your acceptance because something that you were waiting for just fell through the last minute just as you send out the acceptance email to UFL. They might be a bit mad, but who cares. But absolutely make sure that you have the aid offer in writing from UT before you do so. How can you really trust a Prof who declined you first, now is giving you an aid offer again. Just be safe !

Nope, I'm going with Stanford.

Based on what I've heard from friends who've tried it in previous years, no. This is because they have people on a waiting list that they would like to extend the offers to in case others decline.

Age: 22 M/F: M Location when applying: USA Major(s) in undergrad: CompE Undergraduate institution: Top 10 Engineering School Major(s) applying for: EE Area of specialization: Embedded Systems Degree(s) earned: Bachelor's Degree(s) applying for: MS/PhD Undergrad GPA (try to adjust to 4.0 system): 3.97 Class Rank (if applicable): GRE Verbal: 440 GRE Math: 790 GRE Writing: 4.5 How many months did you study for GRE general: 1 month GRE Subject (if applicable): How many months did you study for GRE subject: Researched as undergrad in University (y/n & years): None in EE, Physics Undergrad Research on and off 3 yrs working in a Research Lab Researched as undergrad in Industry (y/n & years): 1 summer, plus 1 yr work experience Published (y/n & # of articles): N Other: Advice to those applying to grad school: Definetely apply for a PhD and give plenty of time to your SOP. Read about some of the research work that your targeted professors are working on to the university you're applying and adjust your SOP to reflect the same. Accepted Schools (aid: y/n and how much and what form; date notified and method of notification): Berkeley: Fellowship offer, Last week of Feb, By Email Stanford: Waiting for aid, Notified March 13th by Email Rejected Schools (date notified and method of notification): MIT - 3rd week of Feb by Mail UIUC - End of March by Email, No suprise - they use GRE as an absolute cutoff is what I've heard Waitlisted Schools: Chosen School: Stanford

I think that was another reason for the rejection. The top 10 schools in general cut off students under 3.75.

Pick up the phone and call them on Monday.

Nothing here, anybody else ? Today is the last day for people with financial aid to reply back. If we're lucky and somebody declines the aid offer today, we might be offered the same next week. I'm still very hopeful :) Look for my other post titled "In at Stanford, Berkeley", I have my profile in there.

While there is no corelation between the verbal score and the success of a PhD application(I agree), that's not how the admission committee looks at your application. They use some sort of minimum bar to scrutinize the application to make their life easier and your verbal score completely sticks out as an odd stick in your application.

I know sometimes one feels it's totally unfair, but I can clearly see what was your reason of rejection from all the universities, your Verbal score: it's way too low. Take the GRE again and do well and I bet you'll get in next year.