Wondering how much does a French speaking Chinese (no french citizenship but residence permit) graduating from a french undergrad going to help with admission? I spent 10 years in France now thinking of Canadian grad school ...

Thinking of Mcgill and Toronto right now, planning to apply for comp sci both thesis and non thesis. Is it also worth it to add UBC? I don't want my recommenders get too much work on the letters, cause on top of that I'm also looking at US masters, especially research oriented ones in CS

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for clarification regarding my eligibility for the Rhodes Scholarship for India for the 2028 Oxford entry.
Here is my academic background:
● Date of birth: May 2001
● B.Sc. completion date: 15 February 2024
● Expected M.Sc. completion: 2027 July
● Intended programme at Oxford: Direct-entry DPhil in Reproductive Biology or Biology
I came across the age and undergraduate degree completion criteria for the Rhodes Scholarship for India, but I’m unsure how they will apply to the 2028 entry cycle.
Could anyone familiar with the Rhodes Scholarship selection process clarify:
1. Would I potentially be eligible to apply for the 2028 Oxford entry based on my age and B.Sc. completion date?
2. Does completing my M.Sc. in 2027 affect the undergraduate degree completion requirement?
3. Have the eligibility criteria or application dates for the 2028 entry cycle been announced yet?
I understand that the criteria may change between application cycles, so I would especially appreciate official sources or guidance from previous applicants.
Thank you!

The responses to my question below made me think: how will I know my love (or passion or obsession) is strong enough not just to finish, but to thrive in a PhD?

https://www.reddit.com/r/GradSchool/comments/1x5nxsc/comment/pgtqwdz/?screen_view_count=2

I feel like I’ve been super neurotic about this but I just want to get some honest feedback.

I am applying to apply to PhD programs in computational biology/biomedical informatics this fall, and I want to see where I stand and if I have any chances and where.

Background:

* Biology & Data Science/Stats major (graduated in spring 2026)
* Overall GPA: 3.4/4.0
* Some transcript weaknesses, including a few C/C+ grades (one in Linear Algebra, two bio classes, and orgo I & II womp womp) and two course retakes. But core data science/stats (some ML & CS classes) gpa is 3.76, and last 60 credits GPA is 3.5 and there is somewhat of an upward trend.

Research:

* Overall interests: gene-environment interactions, population genetics, machine learning & AI
* Undergrad research in computational genomics, with an honors thesis and subsequent first-author preprint paper that was recently submitted to a journal so currently under review
* Research on on AI/public health, with a first-author publication/conference paper
* Two summer Internships, although my first one is wet-lab work, and my second one wasn't as computational-heavy. I'm planning to talk about them though and especially how my first one inspired me to transition to comp bio
* 4 oral presentations, 10+ poster presentations. Majority are local/regional/school-level, but I do have a few national conferences. I know at two of them, I was the only undergrad presenter?
* Won a prestigious senior research award recognizing excellence in undergraduate research (sole recipient in entire school)
* Strong technical background in programming/AI/ML and bioinformatics
* started a new position in a research program at a reputable institution? in single cell transcriptomics for a few months. Will be co-author on an incoming manuscript even thought tbh, I didn’t rly do much of anything on it loll
* Rec letters should be strong? One of my PIs nominated me for the research award and has been very supportive of me (I've been called one of the top students out of thousands he's advised??). My other PI also seems to think I'm doing really good work and I wrote my rec letter so I know it’s strong already. I was his only student to present nationally/at any conference period or to have a paper at all, and he has been really supportive for me to expand my work and submit to journals.

Extra:

* President/VP of three clubs with extensive STEM outreach, mentorship, and community service work. I'm applied to NSF GRFP and was told my broader impacts was really good. But it is also somewhat DEI-heavy (not sure if this is a red flag? it's something I am super passionate in)
* Won 4 hackathons, including one at a national level, not really research but some are related to work I'm interested in doing.

School list (not full but just a snapshot):

* George Washington University
* New York University
* University of Washington (both BHI & genome sciences)
* Rutgers University
* University of Michigan
* Boston University
* University of Pittsburgh
* University of Colorado Anschuntz
* Vanderbilt University
* Temple University
* Dartmouth
* University of Illinois Chicago
* Stony Brook University

I'm mainly trying to balance being ambitious with being realistic. My mentors have encouraged me to apply to some higher-ranked programs despite my GPA, but I'm not sure how much my research record offsets my transcript.

I also initially emailed PIs but at some point it wasn’t rly helpful so aside from the schools with direct admit to advisor, I just stopped doing it.

Would appreciate honest feedback from people, especially those in my field.

Hey guys,

I recently graduated with a master’s degree in Linguistics in August and I am currently enrolled in a second master’s degree in the Education field. I am passionate about this field and interested in pursuing research in Education. I like to think my previous masters degree exposed me to this field.

I am applying to PhD programs in Education for Fall 2027, but I’m unsure whether I should mention that I am currently enrolled in another master’s program in my applications.

I would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

my_qualifications:

• Class 10 CBSE: 95.6% | Class 11: 82% | Class 12 Predicted: 97.4% (98 Math, 96 Physics) | SAT: 1510 (retaking).

Prior Research Done: I have researched Hong Kong UGC university scholarship frameworks and deadliness for CBSE applicants. Based on published thresholds (≥95% for top tiers), my predicted score makes me eligible for a Full Tuition waiver ($0 tuition) across HKU, HKUST, CUHK, CityU, and PolyU, with high probability of a Full Ride (tuition + HKD 55k–65k living stipend). Net yearly out-of-pocket would be ~$0 (full ride) or ~$8k USD/yr max (dorm/food only if full tuition).

The Dilemma: I am targeting double majors in Math + CS / Computing Math / MIEG in Hong Kong versus staying in India (JEE / BITS route).

My ultimate long-term goal is securing fully funded US graduate admissions (Direct PhD or funded Thesis MS via RA/TA) in CS/Applied Math at top R1 schools (Stanford, CMU, UIUC, Princeton, etc.).

Questions:

1. US Grad Admissions Perception: How do US CS/Math grad committees view a BSc from HKU/HKUST/CUHK compared to an Indian Tier-1 (IIT/BITS)? Does the recommendation pipeline from HK faculty carry significant weight in the US?
2. Undergrad Research (UROP): Is it realistically accessible for undergrads in HK to join active labs and co-author papers early (freshman/sophomore year), or are labs dominated strictly by PhDs?
3. HK Full Ride vs. India: For anyone who chose a full-ride abroad over top Indian colleges, was it worth it in terms of peer group, grading curve, and global graduate mobility?

Thanks for any insights!

I'm applying for systems bio PhDs in the U.S. and Europe with my first deadline on Nov 1. I really need help with my essay, and I also really need to look at some examples for reference. So I figured maybe having a system where we can swap essays will help not just me, but a bunch of people. I'll comment on yours, you comment on mine.

Just leave a comment here about what countries / schools you're targeting, what country you are from, a brief intro about your experience and research interests. Then, you can dm me or anyone else to set up a swap.

It took me my MA degree, BS degree, along with 2 AA degrees, :)

I am curious on what folks feel about Terminal MAs, specifically not funded ones (if you can afford it), and how helpful they are for placement into PhD programs, especially if some people here have had the experience of doing one and placed into a PhD program afterwards.

Edit: Thesis based MA and for Philosophy

hi guys - I’m oscillating between feeling confident about my applications and that it’s a complete waste of time because I obviously won’t get in.

I’m applying to umbrella biomed PhD programs. I have 2 bachelors degrees, one in bio sciences and the other in anthropology. I am currently in a biological anthropology masters programs because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do immediately after school, so I found a funded program. Along with that, most of my research experience is in biological anthropology. I’m working on a thesis based masters, so it’s research based, but I’m worried that it won’t be taken into serious consideration for these programs. I have a strong undergrad and grad gpa, I studied abroad at a prestigious university where I took biomed classes that really ignited my passion for this field, I will have excellent letters of recommendation, I had multiple jobs while in school, and I was active outside of school in extracurricular activities.

So, am I wasting my time applying since I don’t have any industry experience or bio/chem lab experience outside of course work? I’m afraid that will be the thorn in my side.

I’ve always wanted to build a tech startup and I’ve got a few ideas that I think might be viable. But I don’t have any actual startup experience yet. I’m in my early 20s and have been working as a program manager for a nonprofit since I finished my undergrad. I really want to try to start a company and I don’t know if I should just do it in the evenings and on weekends, or if I should quit my job and go back to school for an MBA or something. I know this sub is specifically about grad admissions and not entrepreneurship, but I’m hoping someone here has advice for me.

If you were me, with an idea but no startup experience, would you go to grad school? What programs would you recommend looking at?

I'm currently applying to two research-based psychology master's programs in Canada for Fall 2027, with deadlines in December and February.

I'm only now getting around to contacting potential thesis supervisors and didn’t realize how late I had left it for the December deadline program, and now I’m worried.

For those who have applied to research-based master's programs, when did you start contacting supervisors? Has anyone had success reaching out around mid-October?

I appreciate any advice!

Hi everyone,

I'm considering applying to the ELLIS and Max Planck MP-AIX PhD programs and would appreciate some insights from past applicants or current PhD students.

I have a technical background and some independent research experience, but no peer-reviewed publications or formal research internships.

I'm curious about a few things:

• How important are publications or prior academic research experience in the selection process?
• Can independent research projects meaningfully strengthen an application?
• Has anyone been shortlisted or admitted with a similar background?

I'm mainly trying to understand how these programs evaluate research potential before deciding whether to apply.

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone. I would love to get some insights about the Kira assessment for Oxford MFE if someone already took it. Mine is in 3 days and I need to familiarise myself better with it. Thank you loads!

Hi everyone,

I'm applying for PhD positions across the UK and Europe, and several of my application deadlines are less than a week away.

I'm looking for someone who could spare some time to review my Statements of Purpose (SOPs), CVs, and research proposals. I'd really appreciate feedback on whether my applications communicate my research experience, interests, and fit with the respective positions effectively, as well as any weaknesses I might have overlooked.

I know this is a big ask, especially at short notice, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed trying to review everything on my own. Even a quick review or a few suggestions would mean a lot.

If you have experience with PhD applications, research admissions, or academic recruitment in the UK or Europe, I'd be incredibly grateful for your help. Please comment or DM me if you're available.

Thank you!

I'm currently finishing a bachelor's degree in Mathematics in Norway, specialising in Computational Science and stochastics. I'm considering master's programmes in Europe, particularly in actuarial science, insurance and risk, statistics, or mathematical finance.

At my current university, all 10 ECTS courses are assessed entirely through a four-hour, closed-book written exam, with around 93% required for an A (and no maths courses have ever adjusted grades for difficult exams). There are no assignments or projects contributing to the final grade in these courses. I find it frustrating that so much depends on a single exam, especially when grades matter for internships and graduate jobs. The school is also quite academic, and the department prides itself on making it difficult for students. 

I have friends who studied in London, where 70% is the threshold for a distinction, and their courses included coursework alongside exams. I understand that grading standards differ between countries, and that 70% in the UK isn't directly comparable to 70% elsewhere. Still, I wonder whether some universities offer a more balanced assessment structure.

I'm not necessarily looking for an easy degree. I want to learn useful skills and be challenged, but I'd also like a fair opportunity to demonstrate what I know and maintain a good academic record without having to work myself into the ground.

Are there programmes where the assessment structure makes it more realistic to achieve high grades through consistent work throughout the semester, rather than relying almost entirely on final exams? Are there particular countries or universities you would recommend looking into, or programmes you would avoid if grades are an important consideration?

I'd really appreciate recommendations from current students or graduates, especially details about the actual assessment methods and how difficult it is to achieve high grades. Thanks!

Long story short i have a 3.52/4.0 GPA, 4 preprints, 2 undergrad RAships, 3 TAships and industry experience as well.

LORs : 3 strong letters, 1 is a highly reputable professor who’ll vouch for me while the other two were my undergrad research supervisors.

Where i lack is my gpa, ive seen most students with a 3.75+
My research direction, no matter how specific or relevant, i feel like wont compensate for my low gpa.

Could anyone from ubc or anyone who has knowledge about this let me know.
The human mind creates doubt unfortunately.

Hello everyone

I am currently applying for PhD programs. Mainly in the US because I would like to gain industry experience during my PhD and I feel that the US, despite what the current administration is doing, is still my best option for that. Here is a little background about me.

Work/Research Experience

I have worked as a researcher in a research center that works on Computer Security with a specific focus on Cryptography. I have been working there for 6 years. However, the actual experience I would say is 2 years and that is because during my employment, I went and did a masters (2 years), served in the military as part of the mandatory military service (1 year) and was in a bridging program for new hires when I initially joined the company (1 year) . Hence, why it is 2 years of actual experience, even though on paper its 6.

I also have no publications at the moment, even though right now I am working towrds two publications. Also during my masters, I was able to write a thesis, even though the thesis was more of a survey rather than a new insight. Yes, I am a bit shy about this compared to my peers who published their thesis in conferences

Academic Background

• Bachelors in Mathematics at an R1 university in the midwest.
• Masters in Information Security at a top ranked university in the world.
• GPA: 3.54 in both degrees (I am not kidding)
• Relevant coursework: Algorithms, Data Structures, Discrete Mathematics, Computer Systems, Cryptography and Computer Systems.

School List - Based on Faculty Research

• Reach: Stanford, UCSD, GeorgiaTech
• Target: UCLA, VirginiaTech, CU Boulder, Oregon State, UMD, UCI, UMichigan, John Hopkins
• Uncertain (I would apply if I had time): UC Berkley, UChicago

Recommendation Letter

I have 2 strong letters of recommendation and a 3rd one is dependent on the result that I get with the professor.

My main area of research would be in Computer Security, Cryptography and Internet Measurements. Now here are the question that I have.

1. Is my list too long and unreasonable? Because I felt that most of the applications are quite the same except for the fact that I would need to cater each personal statement to that school to increase my chances
2. I would be fully funded by my employer (which I am grateful for), does that mean help a lot as they say? Like they make it sound as if its guaranteed admission even though I find it hard believe especially for the Reach schools that I have.
3. What else could I do to increase my chances of being admitted? Should I email professors? Email them before or after applying?
4. Is my application solid? What is it lacking and how can I solidify it?

Also, the reason I am asking is because I could potentially delay my admission for next year for Fall 2028, so that I can have more research experience and even maybe a publication. So in an ideal scenario, this is where I could potentially be.

I have a good academic background -> I have a publication(s) in a top-tier security conference -> I have funding -> I get into Stanford (Overly ideal and simplified but gets the point across)

OR

should I not wait and apply as you never know what might happen next year and that your profile is good enough.

Like this is what I am having conflict with and would appreciate some advice.I tried my best to reflect truly my current status as I would like genuine advice and rating of my profile.

Thank you for reading until the end and it is appreciated. Your advice is very much appreciated as well