tashkenty

To all Testmagic moderators and members, Hello, guys and gals. I would just like to appeal prayers from you. I am applying for a research assistantship at the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, and I am still awaiting that the research project of my advisor will be funded. I am slowly losing hope, but I am still hoping for the best. I just feel nervous and weaker each day. I really hope I will be given the chance to pursue a Masters Degree in Enviromental Health and work on the school's researches. Recently, I have been offered a fellowship. It is a cash award, but it will only enough to cover for my first semester tuition. I still have to find a way to cover for my living expenses and tuition for the successive semesters. I am presently heartbroken for my visa was denied last July 5th:( , but a full assistantship offered by the school will greatly enhance my chances in obtaining a visa. I am just running out of time, and its so hard to convince the US consuls...:( If I will not be offered a full assistantship, I might just have to kiss my dreams goodbye:( But I will never lose hope. I will still remain dedicated and devoted in ensuring the safety and health of our country's workers through my researches, info dissemination and technical assistance. I would like to express my sincerest thanks to all the moderators and members of Testmagic. You were all very helpful to me. Thank you so much for the emotional support that you have given me... Sincerely, Tashkent

Auburnph, You will know the testing site for GRE Chemistry as soon as u register for the exam online. Just choose the testing site that you feel confident to take the exam. In your case, if you come from Quezon City, it will be most practical to take the exam at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Vinzons Hall. Good luck.

Hello. You may take the TOEFL if required by the university you're applying to. What school do u plan to attend?

For Inorg and Phy Chem, try the Atkins books. For Org Chem, try Carey & Underwood. For Anal Chem, practice on Skoog and other books having laboratory problems on spectrophotometry. Good luck, Tashkenty

Hello, TMians. Allow me to share with you my horrible and traumatic experience with a US consul officer last July 5th, the day I got interviewed for my US student visa. My interview was slated at 7:20 am. I was there right on time, but it was raining so hard. I have to fall in line together with the other applicants hoping to get a US nonimmigrant visa. We were like wet ducklings soaked in the rain.:mad: I waited for 6 HOURS before I got face to face with the arrogant US consular officer. Take note: 6 LONG, HORRENDOUS, PAINSTAKING AND BACKBREAKING HOURS, WITHOUT FOOD NOR WATER.:mad: The US Embassy here in the Philippines does not allow food or drinks inside their office. And take note: there are LIMITED SEATS available. And everyone has to pay USD100 for the application, with no amenities provided.:mad: There are about 100 applicants in the office every hour, and there are only about 60 alloted seats. The poor 40 applicants have to wait for their turn, without food or water. After the confusing pre-screening and waiting for my number to be called, I was finally interviewed by 1:30 PM, without even taking my lunch. To my dismay, the consular officer (a FAT and ARROGANT female) gave me condescending questions, which eventually led to the denial of my US student visa. I have strictly followed the documents that need to be presented, such as 1) passport, 2) I-20, 3) proof of financial support for one year, 4) SEVIS fee payment receipt. For the proof of financial support, I have presented the affidavit of support of my aunt and her bank statement. Despite the documents that I have presented, I was still denied of a US student visa. I feel extremely disappointed. I really got depressed at the moment the RUDE consular officer denied my US visa that I left the embassy immediately. I did not even bother ask the officer about her reason for my denial, nor did I request her to put her reason for denial in writing. I was so insulted when the consular officer said her last line: "If you are to reapply again, you are most likely to be denied.":mad: Here is the content of the white-tagged letter which the consular officer handed me after the interview: "This office regrets to inform you that it is unable to issue you a nonimmigrant visa because you have been found ineligible under Section 214(b) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended." "Under United States immigration law, consuls must presume that all nonimmigrant visa applicants are intending immigrants, and the burden to overcome this presumption is on the applicant. Based on the information presented at the time of the interview, the consul was not convinced that your social, family, economic or professional ties were compelling enough to ensure your stay in the United States would be temporary." "You may reapply if you have additional information to present or if you have a significant change in your circumstances. Should you choose to reapply, you must bring all relevant materials with you to the interview." I am really confused, upset and angry. I have already presented a Certification of Study Leave from my office proving that my stay in the United States would only be until the duration of my study. What additional documents do I need to present to the consular officer to strengthen my US student visa application? Shall I wait for a scholarship or an assistantship offer from the UMN School of Public Health to further prove my financial capability? Dear TMians, I really hope you can help me on my terrible predicament. I have worked so hard to get into the MS Environmental Health program of UMN. I have also spent a lot of time, money and effort in processing my US student visa application. Denial of my US student visa should not deter me to pursue my graduate studies. Hoping to hear comments from you guys, thanks. Regards, Tashkenty

Hello, TMians. I just want to congratulate everyone who made it into their dream schools and desired courses. I really envy all of you... Of the eight schools that I have applied to (Haven't heard from Berkeley, but I am not expecting anything from them...), I only made it into one (UMN for MS Enviromental Health). The problem is that the school cannot offer any form of financial aid or assistantship. I know that I cannot afford studying in their university, so I am most unlikely to accept it...:( The rejection of the six schools I applied for PhD Chemistry and MS Occupational & Environmental Hygiene (CMU, MSU, UCSD, TSRI, UBC and SUNY Syracuse) was really painful to me.:( I am so demoralized for their reasons of rejection. MSU said that I have a weak transcript and low GRE chemistry score. TSRI said that "my application does not compete favorably enough with the other candidates." UBC said that "only top ranked applicants are offered admission to the program." And the list goes on... No matter how painful and unbearable the rejections were, maybe I'll just try to take some time in accepting them. Maybe they were not just meant to be. I really tried my best, God knows how hard I tried studying for those standardized exams and exerting tremendous time, money and efforts in the application process. I really gave it all, but maybe my best just wasn't good enough. I'll just try to move on, although it maybe very hard...:( This maybe a curtain call for me. Again, I'd like to congratulate everyone who made it into their dream schools and respective programs. All of you inspire me. :blush: I will try my best to hide the tears from my eyes and prevent them from falling... Thank you TMians for the opportunity. Taking a bow, Tashkenty

I'm also trying to apply for assistantships in other departments, like in Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, but I'm not sure about this for they limit their assistantship offers to the students who major in their department... Will really appreciate replies from you TMians. Thanks...

Hello everyone! Did anyone here apply for SUNY Upstate Medical University? I've been waiting for their decision for a long time. As of April 21, they have still not decided on the fate of my PhD application. I have submitted my apps last September 2004, it's already been 8 months, and until now they're still in the process of building a waitlist. Is this normal for a university? I thought most admission offers are given by April 15 of every year. I hope to hear from my dear TMIans who applied in this university, especially those who are planning to major in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Thank you. Sincerely, Tashkent

Hello, TMians. I'm just feeling very sad and frustrated.:( I am trying so hard to find scholarship/fellowship opportunities available for international students to finance my MS studies at UMN, but it seems like this is a wild goose chase. I have surfed through hundreds of websites, but most of them are directed towards US citizens or permanent residents. I just wish these orgs will give poor but deserving international students a chance to compete. I also tried the Fulbright awards here in the Philippines, but I did not manage to qualify. I don't know how it is possible for me to make it in an American university, but not manage to get a scholarship in my own country... I think I have exhausted all the assistantships/specialist positions available at the School of Public of Health and other departments of UMN. I have also tried inquiring to professors from the Public Health Dept and also in other departments (Chemistry, Bio Sci, Envi Sci, God knows how many...), but none of them gave encouraging replies. I got one positive reply for an assistantship (as an International Health Advocate, which offer 25% tuition waiver), but I have to be interviewed personally in their campus. How can I do that? I have not applied for a US visa yet. To my disappointment, they said that they will only consider students presently enrolled in the university :( Why is it so hard to find an assistantship at UMN, esp. at the Public Health Dept.? :( Other departments or universities are generous in offering tuition waivers and stipends to graduate students. It feels like I'm passing through the eye of a needle or going through a ring of fire, and I will pass only if I got through unscathed. I really feel envious over my co-TMians who receive generous offers from their respective universities, but it is not nice to be jealous over other people's achievements... I really wish God and the university will give me a chance to study at UMN. I really like Industrial Hygiene, and I believe it has a great social relevance. It just breaks my heart when I see laborers and workers who are continuously exposed to hazardous chemicals and other work environment hazards without even taking into account their safety and health concerns.:( This is my way to help them: to gain as much knowledge as I can, and to echo my learnings so I can ensure their safety and health in the workplace. I just wish the university will hear me out in my dire need of a scholarship or an assistantship to pursue my grad studies... Oh, well, For the meantime, I'll drown myself in frustration and disappointment to Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly with His Song," James Ingram's "Just Once," Brian Mcknight's "One Last Cry," The Carpenters' "Solitaire," and other melancholic songs. I just wish I'll have more energy and determination to continue searching. I just don't know how many million times will I get rejected...:( Thank you, my TMians, and I wish u all the best... Just expressing my sentiments, Tashkenty

Hello! Its SUNY Upstate Medical University, located in Syracuse:) I'm hanging by the rope here, without financial aid from UMN, this maybe my last chance to study in the US... Please Lord, give me a chance to study there...

Hello, TMians! I received an e-mail from the admissions officer of SUNY Syracuse stating: "We have not made a decision on your PhD application as of today. We are in the process of building a waitlist. We will inform you as soon as possible." Is this a good or bad sign? I am just worried that their decision is running a bit late, since most graduate schools release their offers on or before April 15. I've also read another thread here saying that "Offers beyond April 15 are usually rare." This post adds more to my worries... I would appreciate your insights on this, my dear TMians. I'm still hopin for the best... Sincerely, Tashkenty

Nice story. I am impressed with your determination. You're an excellent writer too:-) Don't be disgusted with your profile. I have a crummy GPA too and I managed to make it to UMN. Keep on looking for programs in Meteorology at the West Coast. Have u tried Berkeley? Does Oregon State University offer a Meteorology program? Don't be discouraged and maintain your persistence. I'm sure you'll get into a nifty grad program in Meteorology soon... All the best, Tashkenty:)

Am still waiting for the result of my PhD Biochemistry & Molecular Biology in SUNY Syracuse. Any TMians who applied here? Please God, let it be an admit so I can regain my destroyed confidence...

Congratulations maze! Why did u take the TSE? Are u a nurse or physical therapist applying in the US? TSE is really a nervewracking exam. You must really have confidence and focus in taking it. I'm glad u survived. Again, congratulations and best wishes... Sincerely, Tashkenty

Hello, moonlight! I am a licensed chemist in my country. I also have a strong background in the biological sciences, since I'm a Biochemistry major. I also opted for the environmental sciences since I have been an Industrial Hygienist for 3 years. Being an Industrial Hygienist enabled me to get exposed to various environmental policies & legislations, and the chemistry of air and water pollutants. Thank you very much for your suggestion in customizing my letter sent to the profs. I'm really exerting tremendous efforts by looking into the prof's researches and harmonizing them with my interests, educational background and experience. I am just slowly losing hope at times because I keep trying and trying, but I receive no positive replies. I just wish God will give me more energy, courage, strength and determination to go on... Again, thank you and I look forward to hear from u again soon. Regards, Tashkenty