GRAD ECHO

In my experience (restricted to applying to Computer Science graduate programs, particularly within the top 100 universities), I found that most PhD programs have the GRE as either optional or not required. For MS programs, while a few still required the GRE when I applied for Fall 2023, the majority had it listed as optional.

As for whether it’s worth the effort to take the GRE, it can be beneficial to have a strong GRE score, especially if you need to compensate for a lower GPA. However, the decision ultimately depends on the specific requirements and expectations of the programs you’re targeting.

Hello everyone,

I'm currently preparing to apply for an F1 visa for graduate studies in the US, and I'm seeking some advice. I've heard conflicting information about the financial documentation required for the visa application. Can anyone provide clarity on what exactly needs to be included in the financial documentation for an F1 visa application? Additionally, should the funds be in an account solely under my name, or is it acceptable if they're in an account owned by a family member or friend?

Thank you for your assistance!

Hello everyone!

As an incoming international PhD student, my funding package includes fellowship support. Alongside tuition coverage, the fellowship provides a monthly stipend and a one-time fellowship award.

I have the following questions:

Post-Tax Stipend: I understand that the stipend amount mentioned is pre-tax. To effectively plan my finances, I need to determine the net amount after deductions for taxes. What is the typical tax percentage or amount deducted from a PhD student's stipend? Is this dependent on the state?

Filing taxes: Is the tax deducted automatically from the stipend? Do I need to file taxes at the end of the financial year?

Taxation on Award: Will the fellowship award also be subject to taxation?

Any advice on managing finances as a PhD student would also be appreciated. Thank you very much!

Did you know that you can access Grad Echo just like a mobile app on your phone or tablet? That's right, no need to download anything from the app store!

Here's how you can do it:

For Chrome Users:

• Open Grad Echo in your Chrome browser.
• Tap the three dots menu in the top right corner.
• Select "Add to Home Screen."
• Follow the prompts to add Grad Echo to your home screen. Voila! You now have Grad Echo at your fingertips just like a native app.

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For Safari Users:

• Navigate to Grad Echo in your Safari browser.
• Tap the share icon at the bottom of the screen.
• Select "Add to Home Screen"
• Confirm by tapping "Add." You're all set to enjoy Grad Echo as if it's a mobile app!

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For Brave Users:

• Visit Grad Echo using your Brave browser.
• Tap the menu button (three vertical dots in the bottom right).
• Click "Install App".
• Follow the prompts and allow the shortcut to be added. Now you have Grad Echo readily available on your device's home screen.

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For Mi Browser Users:

• Visit Grad Echo using your Mi browser.
• Mi browser will prompt you to add a shortcut for the website.
• Click "Ok".
• Allow the shortcut to be added. Now you have Grad Echo readily available on your device's home screen.

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I personally mentioned the specific professors I would love to work with and showcased how their research work matches or provides a future direction for my past work. That neatly establishes a tight fit between me and the program. With PHD applications it is absolutely essential to mention PIs you want to work with and then reach them out personally through emails to develop personal points of connection and gain their support in the admissions committee.

I believe you should prepare for standard behavioral questions as well apart from everything else. Interviews vary depending on the personality and preference of the interviewer a lot. Some may set up a rapport from the getgo and help you take control of the interview to assess what is important to you. Others may talk more about the program and share what they have to offer in return. In both cases you should be clear about what you “bring” to the program and what they “offer” you. Having standard answers for behavioral questions will also help you in not only showcasing you reflect on your actions but also emphasize your ability to think on your feet. Not to mention additional confidence. Wishing you the best of luck for your interviews!

I second Hamid. I used Gregmat 2 month plan, but you will be sufficiently prepared even with the 1 month plan. I think vocabulary for Verbal does need some time to get used to, so maybe revise that a lot. Greg even gives you math equations to solve in Verbal so his approach is very logical, but vocab is something you have to memorize in any case. The subscription is only 5 USD for a month and you can also share it with multiple people.

I see rankings as mostly related to prestige an institution has built over the years. You will find that some schools always remain in the top 10 or 20, but move up and down. These schools are likely to continue to maintain a high standard. Perhaps look out for schools that have recently risen or gone down too much in rankings and then see why that may be. I think that is the information that any rankings actually provide. Other than that just find a school that fits you and is reasonably well known for employment outcomes and you should be good.

Am I the only one who cannot find RA/TAship related funding info on program sites? There are many programs which do not explicitly mention this… How can I check if they offer this type of funding and the chances for securing them etc. Another query I had is regarding loan options. I heard somewhere that it makes your visa application weaker. Is that true?

I'm planning ahead for applying to MS programs in Computer Science in the USA for Fall 2025. I'm aiming to get a head start on the process. I'm at the stage of making a list of universities to apply to and could use some guidance on what factors are important to consider in this selection process. If anyone is willing to share their experiences or any resources that helped them navigate through this journey, it would be incredibly helpful to me.

What's the timeline for PhD in Computer Science admission results for the current application cycle? I'm trying to get a sense of when most universities typically send out their acceptance notifications and any advice on managing the waiting period would be greatly appreciated.

@Mukhtiar-Ahmad The availability and types of financial aid for graduate students can vary significantly by university and program. In my experience, PhD applicants often receive full funding through scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships, though the mix may change annually. Assistantships come in two types: Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs), which involve research often related to the student's dissertation, and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs), which involve teaching duties.

Master's students typically do not receive funding upon admission but may secure scholarships or assistantships later by reaching out to their department or faculty members.

Again, these opportunities depend greatly on the specific university, program, and departmental resources. More detailed advice requires information on the targeted university, program, or field of study.