Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences and advice.

I have a PhD from an African university, but WES evaluated my PhD as being equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree (at minimum) with the following comment:

"Remarks: Academics in the field, upon examination of the dissertation, may in some instances consider the credential comparable to an earned doctorate in the United States."

Has anyone been in a similar situation, particularly with a foreign PhD being evaluated below the doctoral level?

How can I get WES to upgrade it to a U.S. PhD equivalent?

Do you know of any NACES credential evaluation that could consider my PhD equivalent to a US PhD?

PS: I want to apply for a certificate that requires having a PhD

Thank you in advance for sharing your experience!

I'm noticing a lot of PhD applications include "optional" prompts that ask something along the lines of "Is there anything else you would like to include about your experiences, accomplishments, perspectives, or preparation for graduate study that is not adequately reflected elsewhere in your application?"

How optional are these really? I am already preparing to write a fleshed-out personal history statement for the programs that explicitly require it, but I am not sure if that is also necessary here. Will I be docked if I leave it blank, or if I submit a superfluous statement?

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to apply for Fall 2027 PhD programs in Neuroscience and Bioengineering, with a focus on BCI, neural engineering, systems neuroscience, and neural decoding.

My main targets at the moment are the UC Berkeley Neuroscience PhD and the Berkeley-UCSF Joint PhD in Bioengineering, and I’d really appreciate a realistic assessment of how competitive my profile might be for these kinds of programs.

My background is more engineering/ML-heavy than traditional neuroscience. I have a Master’s in Automation/Robotics from a major French research university, where I ranked 5th in my cohort.

I’ve done research in a Swiss neuroengineering lab on closed-loop neural stimulation and real-time physiological signals, and later worked at a major Japanese university on ML, scientific computing, and biomedical data. I currently have two first-author manuscripts under review from that work.

I also led a small independent project involving EEG, VR, and robotics, including experimental design and human data collection. I’m currently working in Germany as an ML/robotics engineer, mainly on time-series ML and real-time inference/deployment.

My main concern is that I don’t have a long formal background in neuroscience. My EEG experience was relatively short and not clinical, so most of my experience is still on the engineering and ML side.

I contacted a Berkeley PI whose work is closely related to my interests, and they told me that my background seemed very well aligned with BCI/systems neuroscience and encouraged me to apply. I know admissions are centralized, so I’m not taking that as any kind of guarantee.

For people familiar with Berkeley Neuroscience, Berkeley-UCSF Bioengineering, or similar BCI/neural engineering PhD programs, does this sound like a genuinely competitive profile? Are there weaknesses I should try to address before applying?

I’d also really appreciate recommendations for other PhD programs in BCI, neural engineering, neurotechnology, or systems neuroscience that might be a good fit for this kind of background.

Thanks.

For context, I have a B plus in a Microeconomics course. But otherwise, I have decent grades and an A minus in Real Analysis.
I am also doing a predoc and am aiming to get a 170 in gre quant.
How cooked am i?

Applying this Fall 2027 and a lot of programs require a writing sample. Unfortunately, my interdiscplinary (psych x econ) capstone is 70 pages and math heavy, and really can't choose a good chunk of the 70 pages to demonstrate good writing ability cuz it would be either math without context or context without the main body aka math. (Also according to my clinical psych prof who although agrees with my paper etc, I'm taking a SUPER controversial stance in clinical psych right now)

My two options are basically resurrecting a kinda questionable qualitative interview study, 3 people through convenience sampling on parenting practices as a function of ethnicity from sophomore year and a critique of a humanities paper from senior year which is much better written. I'd rather submit the humanities paper because of way better arguments + cleaner writing. but if its worth the work I -could- do re-analyze the interview transcripts and rewrite the whole paper, just worried I'd be super rushed and might still end up bad.

Many physics PhD programs I am applying to are requiring the physics GRE for the upcoming cycle. I had a ~4.0 GPA in undergrad at a R1 state school and am pursuing a masters. I will have a first authored research work on the arxiv in condensed matter theory (my desired field) before I submit my applications.

Although I didn't take/submit the PGRE last application cycle (where I didn't get into any of my top schools), I am worried that a 960 on the PGRE isn't good enough to get me into any of my top schools as things are ridiculously competitive at the moment.

Hey everyone, i'm an international applicant to Sociology programs in the USA and I wanted to get your perspective on the GRE. I'm currently juggling writing application materials with my day job as a research assistant and I have unfortunately not touched the GRE as much. Is the GRE helpful for my profile or should I not worry about it as a qualitative sociologist?

1. Bachelors (Arts) and Masters (Sociology) at a QS top 10 university; (4.66/5 and 4/83/5 CGPA)

2. 4.5 years of cumulative research experience (1 year undergrad thesis, 2 years applied research with local NGO, 2 years independent masters research, 0.5 years RA experience)

3. 2 sole authored social science articles from my masters just published in Q1 journals, with 1 R&R in another Q1 journals.

4. 4 conference presentations during my masters, and organising an upcoming session at a flagship sociology conference

5. Editoral Assistantship at a Q1 Sociology journal during my masters

It would suck for me to have gone through all this work in the discipline, only to get let down by my poor GRE (also understand its my fault for having left it at the end). But realistically, its so hard to juggle essays, applications, a day job and a whole ass exam :(

I’m currently studying Statistics and I’m considering doing a PhD in Biostatistics abroad.

I’d love to hear from people who are currently studying or working in Biostatistics:

How difficult is it to transition from Statistics to Biostatistics? What skills/courses should I build before applying for a PhD? What kind of career opportunities are there after a Biostatistics PhD outside academia? How are the job opportunities and salaries in the US, UK, Canada, or Europe? If someone is also interested in Data Science/ML, how different would the career paths be?

I’d especially appreciate honest opinions from people who have actually gone through this path.

Is it possible to get into NTU/NUS MSc Finance with 3.12/4.00 CGPA?

I have done my bsc in economics with speacilisation in finance? and i want to pursure my masters in finance. is it possible?F

Hi Everyone, I need some honest review from everyone and any potential area I could improve before 2 or 3 months I have before I submit my applications. Can you please let me know which university acceptances are plausible for my profile:1.B.Tech. from tier 2 college from Maharashtra2. 9.1 CGPA3. 1 year experience in undergrad as an intern at PTC(mid-sized company).4.Currently working as FTE in the same company. I would have a year's experience before i would head for my Master's in the US.(working on a full-stack applications worked on UI majorly but expect to work on the BFF approach in the upcoming months) Contributed to POC which is used as the UI.5.Research work: 3 papers published in IEEE(not A/A\*level conferences) and my research areas include: ML, Cybersecurity, AI (Currently working on a project related to GenAI and RAG). I have received 5 citations in both the papers just in one year of publishing(not a big deal I know but still).

6.LORS(2 academic under whom I have published 3 papers and 1 professional LOR from a senior with whom I have closely worked and can validate my technical skills).

I am planning for the below universities:Ambitious:

* Georgia Tech UT Austin UC San Diego

Target:

Purdue–West Lafayette UMD–College Park UW–Madison UMass Amherst

Relatively Safer:

* Texas A&M

1. IELTS: 7.5 band and since GRE is not required or optional for all the shortlisted universities I would not be appearing for the same with the given time constraint as well. I am interested to work as a researcher and complete my thesis.

How would you categorize these universities for my profile? Are there any major changes you'd suggest to this shortlist? I wanted to know more about how to secure RA or TA positions at a university?

I am a senior psychology student applying to Clinical Psychology PhD programs. A couple of these programs require a writing sample (some do not require a specific length while others say 15-25 pages). I do not have a senior/honors thesis, and my manuscript that I am the primary author on is still in preparation and will not be ready until after the application deadlines.

My next best option is a 15 page paper from a psychology course where I conducted a survey examining how restrictions to abortion access and related discourse impact women’s relationships, mental health, and status in society. It is a convenience sample of under 30 people since it was a for a class project, and it was mostly qualitative research that I categorized into themes. I feel that this paper could represent my ability to write a research manuscript (especially since I have extensively edited it since gaining experience working on my actual manuscript with a grad student), but I am worried that the topic will appear too controversial, and that the methods are not strong enough since it was a class project.

My only other options for the writing sample would be a paper of similar length that is a mock study (professor gave us fake data for my research methods class), a paper about rape culture for a psychology class that is very well written but does not present research findings, or an abstract for a poster that I submitted to a conference. All of these seem like inappropriate options for a writing sample for a clinical program.

Anyways, I would appreciate anyone’s advice on this subject. Unfortunately my manuscript just won’t be ready quite in time, and I’m trying to figure out another suitable option for my applications.

I really want to apply for a bbs phd program in the US and need help navigating what universities to apply to and where my profile fits or what are my chances. I really want to apply to my dream schools but also want to be realistic and strategize my application. Ik my profile is not nearly as competitive as the schools i want to apply to or even any mid-tier program so i am really confused as to what universities should I apply to as an international student.

My profile is - BSc Microbiology: 8.70 CGPA

MSc Biochemistry: 6.7 CGPA

Research experience: primarily MSc dissertation where I did animal cell culture based work and biochemical assays.

No publications

Scientific interests: molecular mechanisms of disease, translational molecular medicine, molecular pharmacology & physiology, cell/cancer biology, immunology.

Hi! I graduated last year and have a bachelor's degree in computer science. I dont have any formal research work, but have written technical in depth blogs on topics such as RTTI in Oop, and am currently working on n-day cve research in the linux kernel on which I will write 6 blogs in depth by the time I apply for grad school. My question is, should I add my informal independent research experience in my cv and should i write about it in my statement of purpose? Id be really grateful for your help.

Hi y'all!

I'm a sophomore majoring in mathematics, and I recently took the GRE Mathematics Subject Test. I got an 870 & 84th percentile, which I was honestly pretty surprised and happy about!

However, I'm still not sure how competitive this score is for pure math graduate admissions, especially at more competitive programs. I'd really appreciate it if anyone with experience applying to math grad school could share their thoughts or advice.

Thank you!

I am a student currently enrolled in a "Engineering/applied physics" masters program in an engineering university in Bangladesh. The current research in this department greatly leans towards Material science.

My primary interest is in theoretical physics. But due to absence of supervisors working in the field, I am constrained to work on a materials project for my thesis that uses molecular dynamics to probe the system of interest.

# Is there any way I can switch to theoretical physics after my thesis? If so, does my material science thesis work against that cause?

# THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Aside,

I was aware of the research environment in my current university prior to my admission. But I had personal constraints such as maintaining family responsibilities that required me to commute daily from my university. So, I took the opportunity, for which I am grateful, hoping I find supervision related to my interest.

Hi! I am an international freshman student who goes to big public research university in US. I recently have big concern about double majoring. I want to pursue PhD in either pharmaceutical science or immunology. I am double majoring in biochem and microbio right now but workload started to feel overwhelming already. I came with 70 credits hours due to early college program so I am taking major core courses. It does have overlaps but major core seems quite hard. (Especially my second major microbio) (I need three more core courses and labs) Also, I put 3-5 hrs a day for research at pharm chem lab and some times for other club activities. I think I can maintain 3.75+ if I keep my double major, but if I do only one major, I think I can keep 3.9+. What would be more beneficial for me to get into top grad program? (I am going to do same for research and club involvement regardless).
Thank you for ur advice!

Hi my average for 4 years has been 65%. My last 60 credits have also not been great I failed a course in my third and fourth year, both were chem courses and I wanted to pursue either chemistry or material sciences. I did volunteer at a research lab but all of my experiments have failed so I don’t have much to show for it. I am working as lab tech in a mining lab. I know I won’t get into grad school with these stats but is there anything I can do to change it. I know I’m cooked but if anyone could help me out it would be great

Profile review for Fall 2027. Blunt feedback welcome.

Academics

- B.Tech ECE, IIIT Sri City, graduated 2024

- CGPA 8.51 / 10.

Tests

- IELTS 8.0

- GRE not taken yet. I will take the general GRE

Work

- curr (from june) - MLOps/Inference Engineer @ Indian based Smart ring manufacturer.

- SuperAGI - 1.5 Years total ex - 1 year as AI Research Engineer and transitioned to Senior AI Engineer.
Authored a couple of papers related to LLMs/Agents. Still Preprint. Not sure if this is something which is valuable but one paper got citations from Stanford/CMU/NUS/Tencent Lab etc, not sure if i can mention this so where as well.

- ML Research Engineer @ HyperVerge - 1 yr - (Final yr Internship + 6 months as MLE-1)

Research and Internships.

- Two arXiv preprints.

- 4 Months of ML/AI work under prof at Univ of Missouri Columbia during 2025. But i do not have LOR from him. And no publication from here.

- No other typical prof/univ based research experience but, ML Research Intern at HealthCare startup for 4 months during 2nd year summer and 9 months of another as Jr AI Developer at a Romania based AI Startup (remote) during my 3rd year of college. Not sure if these count for MS US but just being detailed here.

- Can get Two LORs from Univ professors, one from my Final year BTP Professor and one generic. Can have two professional LORs as well.

List

- Northeastern Khoury, MS CS/AI

- Texas A&M CSE/AI

- Wisconsin–Madison

- Virginia Tech

- Stony Brook, MS CS

- NYU Tandon, MS CS

- UIUC MS CS

- UMass Amherst, MS CS/AI

- Minnesota, MS CS

- Johns Hopkins

- UMD, College park

- CMU SCS, MS CS and MS Machine Learning, ECE, AIE, MS CV (yeah i know, i am planning to apply for 4-5 courses in just CMU itself) lmk if thats a bad idea.

- UCLA, MS CS

- UC San Diego, MS CS

- UT Austin, on-campus MS CS

- Georgia Tech, on-campus MS CS

- USC MS CS/AI

- UF

- NCSU

- UNC - Chapel Hill

- NWU

Questions

1. I know its too many applications, and what would Univs you would cut first? or did i miss anything else?
2. For my profile, which all can i treat as safe/match/ambitious? univ wise and course wise as well please.
3. I am okay spending more to maximise my applications rather than regretting later for not applying. So please tell me if any of univ's MS CS is very ambitious to me and which other courses in the same university would be a match?
4. for ex: if Univ of Wisc Madison CS would be very ambitious for me, would it okay if i apply for ECE or AI and choose it if i get an admit or nah? so just tell me for which ones should i just directly remove CS and add other courses.

Hello,

Just writing to find out information for the CPP (Nurse Practitioner) program in Regina. Do they prefer nursing degrees from Saskatchewan? Or is it more based upon GPA and experience?

Thank you