auburnph

A low score in TOEFL should not hurt your chances in admission. While this is a relief, it will result for you to enroll in their English programs and must enroll in their classes to make up for the low TOEFL score. Check the office of international admissions of the university of your choice regarding this.

I did get financial assistance from the university. The I-20 did not show the amount. I showed additional fund support from my parents.

Why gloom? You are bright and knows your major stuff. I am a student right now and believe me, people here do not use silly verbal words in GRE but of course, you should know how to add/subtract numbers and at least know what is % off when you shop.

You're fine. I mean, your course is chemical engineering and what is that, they're all math. You'll do fine. When you study grad school advanced chem eng, will you encounter the words in verbal again? Unless your major is Literature, Comm Arts - then yes. I have friends who accepted with these majors but their quant is low, around 300. Impressive GPA, credentials and TOEFL's/TSE but just one lousy 300.

safe. 3.0

quite redundant... i think 3.0 will suffice

score is 2.5

both essays - 2.5

Imho - 3.0

first essay - 4.0 second essay - 3.5

It will work out. Have faith. You ask them, they said no. So, be confident. You'll make it.

Thank you ascetic. The process of applying here is all the same like everyone else's (I think). During the interview proper, if the consul returned your passport after talking, you are denied because they can't process your passport because they're returning the passport back to you plus a blue paper of I don't know what does it says. However, if the consul gave you a yellow slip of paper and the passport was not returned to you, then you made it. They keep your passport for visa processing, and so the yellow slip is just a courier slip the courier service requires for so they cand eliveer your visa right at your doorstep. I have been approved for visa. The consul gave me a yellow paper in which I gave it to the courier services for the delivery of my passport after 4 working days of visa processing. I am from the Philippines. I applied at Manila US Embassy. I am now looking forward to have my graduate studies in the Univ. of Kansas majoring in Chemistry PhD. I forgot the details of the interview, it was short though. The talk was mostly about who will finance my studies there. In the long run, I had a great time talking with the consul. We were laughing after all.

Finally, after long hours of waiting... I made it to the cut. I was granted visa. U.S., here I come. Thanks everyone who helped me with my queries. All of you were great help for my success.

batboy where did you take the test?

Hello. I took my exam in Concordia in the Philippines. The rooms there are private and you have your own room with headphone and microphone built in. There is also a reflection prayer posted if you need some calming effect. The people in charge are also heart-warming: they really ask you to relax and to do well. The place is not a social-rich ambiance. But the private and cozy room, and the people that treat you highly (they even gave us an orientation which includes a relaxation-meditation session, which is good, for ten minutes), that place was a real deal. I remember that I was given few minutes to start answering the booklet while the proctor began dialing the TSE hotline. By the time the recorder on the phone spoke about instructions what was written in the booklet, I am answering questions 6-8. I gave my TSE there for the first time and my last time by a score of 50. I highly recommend the place.

apply rescoring. where did u take the exam? mine is in concordia.

nice work mr. incredible. are you the phantom menace? well, thanks again. what can you say about the case i presented? for the record, it seems that presenting financial evidences is a matter of numbers game where the higher the better. just present the consul affidavits of support and you're all set. for tino and grapes, well according to the case study that I wrote, if the US relative transfer funds to the parents, isn't it quite dangerous that the parents are just merely covering up their real financial evidence just for the sake of showing that they are indeed capable of financing the student?

Thanks Tino. Can you answer this? Case Study: A certain student graduated after all the hardwork he had done. His parents had low pay jobs and then student worked as a part time while still studying. He graduated with honors in the university. It's like with all the hardships, and financial matters, the student graduated. After a while, his parents told him that they have a relative in the U.S. who wants him to do graduate studies there. Of course, the parents having low-pay jobs can't afford it but the relatives can. The stduent tried to apply for scholarship but he was not selected among the candidates. To study in U.S. is a wow for him so he prepared the necessary documents and all that. He had all the academic grades-credentials, and achievement from the university. The one that will pay his studies will be his US relatives since his parents can't afford so. Now comes the student visa interview. Dilemma: The man will be surely denied because he can't show any financial support from his parents since they were in low-paying job, which is surely insufficeint but only from his relatives. The country cannot offer him scholarship because he was nor selected among those who applied. If parents cannot afford education nor the country can provide support, but only the outsiders (e.g., US relatives) then this denotes that he can be a potential immigrant. If so, then the man can kiss the dream of American graduate studies goodbye.

Hello. Thanks for the answers. I have other inquiries: 1. When you present financial evidences, the total must be greater than what was written in the I20? 2. If so, my I-20 indicates that I have to pay 18K for one year. I have to show funds exceeding (18K x 4 years) or simply greater than 18K for one year study? I am a graduate student pursuing a doctoral degree. I've been offered TA. 3. Isn't it that funds should be presented as good as for one year of study to make sure that you can study for at least one year? 4. Upon adding mine and parents financial documents, can I present my US relative's document adding the three of us altogether? 5. In presenting evidences of ties, Will family pictures work including the picture of my relative in it, their birth cerificates and other info indicating that they and we are in such family ties? 6. Do you include original elementary (kindegrarten) and high school credentials in presenting documents? Responses will be highly appreciated. oops. double replies. computer got jammed. my apology.

Hello. Thanks for the answers. I have other inquiries: 1. When you present financial evidences, the total must be greater than what was written in the I20? 2. If so, my I-20 indicates that I have to pay 18K for one year. I have to show funds exceeding (18K x 4 years) or simply greater than 18K for one year study? I am a graduate student pursuing a doctoral degree. I've been offered TA. 3. Isn't it that funds should be presented as good as for one year of study to make sure that you can study for at least one year? 4. Upon adding mine and parents financial documents, can I present my US relative's document adding the three of us altogether? 5. In presenting evidences of ties, Will family pictures work including the picture of my relative in it, their birth cerificates and other info indicating that they and we are in such family ties? 6. Do you include original elementary (kindegrarten) and high school credentials in presenting documents? Responses will be highly appreciated.

Hello. I'll be having my first and hopefully last interview for my graduate studies in the US this July. Skipping aside the papers requries such asll the DS thing, picture and passport, and receipts, I wonder: 1. When I show the proof of sufficient funds, well my aunt, who is a US citizen and a very very close to me (for the record, my mom and her are pure sisters and my aunt solely puts her expenses to us when she visits us during holidays) will cover my entire studies, is this a threat that presenting her financial evidences is a sure denial? 2. If so, then my finances should come to the people here in my country? Well, if this is so, then can I just ask several wealthy guys here to just present their bank statements summing up to what is expecting to be the funds needed for my study. Just piling them up so it can surpassed the required amount printed in the I-20? 3. Can you give me the links about F1 interview Q&A (I'm too lazy to browse page 10 or 17 of this page)? 4. Is the name of the person who will finance my studies is indicated in the I-20? 5. My passport will expire by May 2007, so can I still present it and use it? 6. Am I cute or what? 7. I heard some people here who intervied here in my country make fantastic drama in the inerview: tears and despair of why do they need the visa, and standing ovation acting that are so convincing that enabled the consul to grant them approval. Will these work in interview? 8. I am quite excited to have conversation with the consul, but at the same time, the thought of presenting the finances if telling them that funding by my American aunt is a NOOOOO..., well, quite depressing.

Hello. I am planning to apply for a F-1 visa this June. Recently, my former professor in my undergraduate univ informed me that my research was chosen to be part of the symposium/seminar to be held in the US this July 12-14, in which I have to present my presentation then. Of course, this is good news since my research will be make known abroad. The dilemma right now, is will the student visa covers this symposium thing or should I apply for a tourist visa just to attend the symposium, then apply for F-1 visa?

Age: 22 M/F: M Location when applying: Philippines Major(s) in undergrad: Chemistry Undergraduate institution: University in Manila Major(s) applying for: Organic Chemistry Area of specialization: Organic Synthesis and Natural Products Degree(s) earned: BS Degree(s) applying for: PhD Undergrad GPA (try to adjust to 4.0 system): can't adjust... 0.4 Class Rank (if applicable): no idea... GRE Verbal: 540 GRE Math: 660 GRE Writing: 3.5 How many months did you study for GRE general: 1 month GRE Subject (if applicable): ...:D How many months did you study for GRE subject: 1 month TOEFL: 277 Researched as undergrad in University (y/n & years): Y, 2 years Researched as undergrad in Industry (y/n & years): N, 0 years Published (y/n & # of articles): Y, 3 Other: TA Advice to those applying to grad school: SOP is a must. Recommendations make well also. Of course, there's nothing you can do about your grades and performances in school but doing well in GRE, TOEFL, TSE, and other standardized tests will put you in an outstanding position. Accepted Schools (aid: y/n and how much and what form; date notified and method of notification): KU($19K TA) Rejected Schools (date notified and method of notification): TAMU - by e-mail and mail Waitlisted Schools: N/A Chosen School: KU

Thanks for the answers. Another set of questions... 6. As a graduate student, is it better to live on or off campus? 7. When you arrive in the univ, after presenting all the papers and other documents prior enrolment, where will you stay? 8. in connection to question 7, do I have to plan right now where will I live after the moment I step from plane in the new country and univ. or just as websites indicate, look for a place to stay? It's like, I've just came from the plane and I have no place to stay. 9. How do you plan your finances (e.g., spending for school work, enrolment matters, renew passport, shopping (as if I have time), etc.) if you come to school just bringing your documents? Do you bring those large sums of money from the financial papers you have since you have no bank to settle with,the moment you arrive? 10. Just as both of you mentioned that there will be no problem if I travel around the US anywhere at anytime I like (of course, inform the International Office), the problem will be if I plan to go out of US. right? 11. If my F1 remains valid and the I-20 I have is back-signed, then there is no need to go to the cosul in my country to reapply for permit to travel in US to continue studies. If so, then I can go back and forth from my country to US as long as these two are valid. No more repeating and arrogant talks to consuls, then?

Hello. I would like to ask so many... since I am new to this travelling thing. 1. I-20 is all I need before to get moving. If so, then who prepares the SEVIS thing? 2. Can I travel around the US (only in breaks and vacations, only) if I have a F1 visa or do I rot only in the school until I graduate? 3. Are consuls speak English fluently or absurd like some closed-lips American people I hear in media blabbering as if chewing something right in their lips?" 4. Is this correct: In applying visa, two proof of payments are required/ must be shown to the consul: the application form, and the SEVIS 5. My diploma is quite big, and obviously I can't photocopy it. Do I have to bring that big darn thing? I am looking forward to answer these first five of more than a gazillion queries. Your answers will be appreciated.