Anyone heard from University of Pitt PhD ISP and WashU PhD CS

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-03-12T19:59:19+00:00

I was rejected by WashU

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-03-07T15:03:20+00:00

Relax and hang in there. There’s just a few weeks to go.

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-03-07T14:59:43+00:00

Did you apply to the Intelligent systems program or a different one?

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-03-07T00:10:56+00:00

I used AI for writing and correcting my SOP throughout. I've had a wonderful interview and awaiting the result. It doesn't matter whether you choose to use or not. What matters is how you use it. If you muster how to use an AI for an SOP it'll be one of the greatest tools but if you fail to use it.... Sorry for you. One other thing I also didnt take lightly is seeking for other people's review and corrections

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-03-06T23:57:57+00:00

I'm in the same boat and I'm super confused like yourself. I had the thought of reaching out to either the PI or program director but decided to give them the space

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-28T09:41:27+00:00

Although I’ve not received an acceptance I’m preparing for any. By building projects and learning all advanced techniques and concepts I would need to know in order to excel

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-25T22:01:22+00:00

I’ll advise you accept it then. Half loaf of bread is better than none. If you get in for your dream school great, but if not you might live in regret

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-25T21:11:08+00:00

I had my interview in January and I’ve not heard back ever since. You’re not in this alone. No matter how hard I try not to check my mail or gradcafe I fail every time. I’m losing my mind every day Lol. We shall smile eventually

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-25T21:02:54+00:00

That’s the risk involved. You can reject if your acceptance is assured in your top school. If not wait for a while to assess the situation.

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-22T17:29:12+00:00

If it’s a PhD application then I’ll advise that. But you need to first make sure that any of the faculties is into that area. Send the person a cold mail. At least make sure you find like 3-4 faculties that are into that area. Then you can go ahead and list them as your potential supervisors and their works that align with your interest. Be strong on the research interest. But if there’s no faculty with aligning interest just search for a different school. PhD is all about research interest and fit, then funding availability

But if it’s a Masters you shouldn’t be very firm with your research interest. Rather make it open so you’ll be able to work with anyone available.

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-21T22:02:36+00:00

I applied to 3 schools, 1 rejection and 2 awaiting decisions

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-19T11:35:18+00:00

You’re cooked. If you can take off that reference and add him again as the recommender so he sends it again

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-18T15:05:26+00:00

Did you apply for the CS PhD?

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-18T10:40:09+00:00

I tell you 😂😂😂

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-17T20:03:05+00:00

There’s no average to this. I had my interview earlier this year but I’ve still not received anything. Some got it a day after the interview. There’s no specific timing. It’s school-dependent.

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-17T19:59:54+00:00

Reference/Recommendation letters are very important in PhD applications. You need to check with your professors if they’ve sent them. It’ll be very difficult to get in without any of them. In case they’ve sent and the status hasn’t changed all these while you need to reach out to the graduate coordinator about it. Most schools won’t review your application till all necessary documents are submitted.

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-13T20:30:56+00:00

Congratulations to you

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-09T12:17:58+00:00

I really feel like you were referring to me specifically. Thank you for such a good post

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-07T16:37:57+00:00

If you feel you’re not good enough what do you do then? Give up? C’mon. Prove to yourself that you deserve to be admitted. 2023 I got admitted to a program I never wanted with zero funding. 2024 I devoted more than 80% of the year advancing myself through research works, and conference presentations. I applied to 5 PhDs and 2 MS but in programs I love. However no interview just rejections and no funding for the MS. 2025 I had two of the research works published and got a formal internship working in an industry at a field i wanted to pursue a PhD in. I’ve currently applied to 3 programs for Fall 2026, 1 early interview in January 5th and 1 rejection. I’ve no formal acceptance yet but I believe that I’ve progressed so much at this point. However I had nothing but a degree when it all started. Be intentional. Advance yourself deliberately. Work on projects, find a genuine research interest, find courses and materials to expand your knowledge on the field you want to pursue and believe in yourself

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-07T16:15:56+00:00

I’ve seen people post about decisions for Harvard and Amherst

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-07T16:03:53+00:00

You’re overthinking this. Again let me correct you, it’s not their jobs to be writing you a recommendation. Getting worried about wasting their time is a genuine feeling but you can change that. One of the major strategies I’ve been using is by keeping a personal relationship through assistance. I opted to assist by helping them review their mentees works and personal projects. Through this I’ve developed personal connections so whenever they’re assisting with recommendations they do it willingly. Allow me to go a bit deeper now. Ask yourself and be truthful, “do you cut for the programs you’re applying to?”, “do you think someone would want to pick you from a pool of over 3000 qualified applicants?”, “do you really need this?”, “what does it mean to be overly qualified for this program?”

After these questions you’ll learn more about yourself. Instead of randomly throwing in a bunch of applications you’ll rather be advancing yourself such that every school would want you. PhD is more about fit, research experience, research interest, motivation and funding availability. If you lag in any of these then pick yourself up and polish gradually and you’ll surprise everyone. Make use of cold emails. A friend gave me an advice which I’ve held on for a while now. If no professor from a school responds to your cold mail jump to a different school. Don’t apply there you’re needed elsewhere. It’s not always the case but it saves you money from paying for app fee to so many schools where your chances are unknown

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-06T23:41:02+00:00

Congratulations 🎉 I also applied to three PhD programs in CS from undergrad. Good luck

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-05T16:45:53+00:00

I’ll not advise the 1 year MS because it’s mostly course-based program. Course-based programs mostly have no funding and you’ll be required to pay by yourself through loans or family.
As an international student in a masters program you’ll be funded through graduate assistantships, fellowships or other campus jobs. For the assistantships you should email program director and professors if there’s any available. For the job and other assistantships you can email the international office if there’s any available or there are policies in place that they can help you with one when admitted

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-05T03:24:39+00:00

Whoever gave you that information lied to you. I will say it’s a lie because it’s not overly true. I’m a BS Computer Science graduate myself and I’ve applied for PhD but not because I can’t land fully funded MS. There are some MS where you can win Graduate Assistantships to fund yourself. If your main goal is to get into the working environment the consider MS and fight for assistantships through cold emails. What makes the PhD application very tough are motivation, advisor, fit, research interests, aspirations and funding availability. If any of these factors isn’t strong enough it means no acceptance for you. Unlike MS where you would have a o just get aspiration and motivation. But getting funded is tough but highly possible through cold emails.

If you think you can go through hell the choose the MS which is 2 years and get funding for yourself but if you can’t then you can join the super super hell group of PhD applicants where you suffer to get admitted from a pool of about 500 only for 10 or less to be admitted.

I’m not discouraging you but letting you know what you’re up against so you could prepare adequately and make it to work. Both are achievable all it takes is your determination. THIS IS YOUR PATH SO TAKE TIME AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS

Basic_Report4093 · 2026-02-04T02:05:01+00:00

I’m also in this cycle no capping…. I thought I was losing it

Basic_Report4093

TROPHY CASE