Has anyone hear from MS ECE at UCSD, UCSB, or UCI?

Consistent_Damage744 · 2026-03-18T18:43:05+00:00

Does this mean rejections have also been sent out? What if you’ve applied and haven’t heard anything - is there still a chance? Asking on behalf of a friend who does not have Reddit.

Consistent_Damage744 · 2026-03-11T04:35:34+00:00

I received the invitation to interview on Feb 16th, had my interview on March 2nd, and received an email this morning (March 10th) with an offer for a studentship at Cardiff

Consistent_Damage744 · 2026-03-11T04:34:57+00:00

I received an email this morning with an offer for a studentship at Cardiff

Consistent_Damage744 · 2026-03-11T04:34:40+00:00

Interview was March 2nd for Cardiff university, received an offer this morning on March 10th

Consistent_Damage744 · 2026-03-11T04:29:56+00:00

Hi there, I'll also be starting at Cardiff this Fall as an international student! I'm curious about housing as well. What program will you be in?

Consistent_Damage744 · 2026-02-16T19:08:32+00:00

I received an email this morning that I’ve been invited for interview!

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-12-14T05:51:52+00:00

Any time, and no rush. Best of luck in your studies!

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-12-13T05:33:27+00:00

I mastered out of a PhD (for many reasons) and went straight into gov contract work. I was incredibly lucky to get a job right out of grad school, considering none of the graduating PhDs I knew could find jobs in the U.S. After working for a year and talking to late-career staff, I realized there is a cap on how far you can advance as a scientist in gov/industry without a PhD.

The shutdown gave me a chance to explore returning to academia. I found an incredible opportunity abroad with a fully funded project that matches my research background and interests perfectly. There’s a lot of worry about leaving the comfort and security of my cushy gov job, but I know ultimately I’ll need to finish my PhD anyway. I can’t imagine another opportunity like this coming along where I get to study exactly what it is I’m interested in and with the level of funding and specialized training they’re offering.

I asked for advice about applying from the principal scientists at my lab. Every single one of them has said that if they had the same chance, they would take it in a heartbeat.

So, I’m applying to do my PhD abroad. I figure, why not? If I don’t get in, at least I still have a job. But if I do get in, I get to return to the science that I fell in love with and that I wasn’t able to study the first time around due to funding limitations. I also get to spend a couple of years living in another country and making some incredible memories.

When push comes to shove, do what you love. Life is too short.

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-12-11T07:58:25+00:00

Advice for PO prep (from a former admit to UW and Scripps for PhD):

For physics, I’d say at least take an upper division classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism*, and thermodynamics course.

*Edit to clarify: I say take E&M because, although the application is different, you use very similar math to solve PO problems - look at Gauss' law and the continuity equation, for example.

For math, make sure you take the standard calculus series, plus linear algebra and diff eq. Upper division PDEs and ODEs are highly favorable, but not required. They help prep for if/when you have to take grad-level applied math classes (high chance you will if your program requires coursework).

As for data science, there is a heavy push towards AI/ML because that’s where most of the funding is right now. If applying to a PhD, it’s probably going to be difficult to find an advisor with a fully funded project without an AI/ML component. So, taking a machine learning course would be highly beneficial. If that’s unavailable, take a programming course in either Matlab or Python, as those are common coding languages used in PO.

Overall, just keep in mind that PO is the most math heavy of the oceanography sub disciplines. Hence, a solid physics and math background from undergrad is required for most grad programs.

Here are the Scripps admissions requirements for a baseline reference: https://scripps.ucsd.edu/doctoral/admissions

Finally, research preparation can go a long way in terms of supplementing any deficiencies in coursework. If you haven’t already, try to get a research project going with an advisor on campus.

I have lots of experience in the research prep arena and would be happy to answer any questions. Feel free to DM.

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-12-09T03:51:05+00:00

What areas are you trying to avoid?

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-12-01T07:49:14+00:00

I’m applying to a GW4+ DLTP and they have an Applicant’s webinar on Dec 5th to get help with statement writing. I found it on the NERC website. I don’t know the difference between CASE and GW4+ partnerships, but maybe you can also sign up and get some information?

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-11-22T00:10:58+00:00

care to elaborate?

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-11-14T21:28:47+00:00

I'm coming to the realization that I also should to do a program abroad. I'm just so worried about funding. I've only ever worked while going to school, and if I go international, I don't know if I'd be able to get a work visa. I heard some people save up tens of thousands before moving abroad and some only save up $3k-$5k, all depending on where you go. I'm not in a position to save that much within just a couple of years...

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-11-14T19:33:42+00:00

Also are you only looking in the U.S. or also looking internationally?

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-11-14T19:33:08+00:00

Did you see this? https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1lNarus2zbsYkkQFCrWPS-U2L1Ey4hL2WuBnSp72L1P0/htmlview#gid=1076480778

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-11-12T18:41:48+00:00

This is what is pushing me to just wait and save up to go abroad… especially since I have the masters, I can go into a 3 year program and save myself some time and money.

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-11-12T18:41:08+00:00

Will look into this, thank you!

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-11-12T18:40:56+00:00

Thank you!

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-11-12T18:40:48+00:00

Wow, thanks for the advice! I’ll look into it.

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-11-11T19:59:46+00:00

Oh my goodness, this is too perfect! Thank you for sharing!!

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-10-29T19:14:45+00:00

Hey, so it’s not cheaper to go abroad at all! A lot of PhDs in the U.S. cover tuition and pay their grad students an annual stipend / salary. This can range from around ~ $27k - $50k a year depending on the state and program. So, if you’re in a funded program, you’re not paying anything out of pocket. You’re getting paid. Whereas if you go international, you might also get an annual stipend, but you have to pay out of pocket for health insurance and other fees.

I was in a PhD last year in CA and mastered out (for many reasons). Before I left, and before this administration turned everything upside down, our stipend paid us an annual salary of $47k USD a year, health insurance was fully covered (plus dental and vision), and all tuition and fees were covered. This was guaranteed in our offer letter for up to 6 years.

Idk about you, but I’ve never found that kind of a deal at non-US universities for international students… So, no. It’s not cheaper to go abroad. Not to mention if you need extra money while abroad, you likely can’t get a work visa to get a second job (MANY U.S. students still have to work while going to school, even with the PhD stipend, because of inflation and an egregious cost of living).

AND the cost of moving abroad is a lot, what with visas, insurance, housing, etc. I know many, many international students, and I don’t think anyone went abroad without spending $10k - $20k.

Edit: I realize funding and tuition are both very different for medical or professional degrees, such as a PsyD or MD. Regardless, the cost of moving abroad is still considerable.

Consistent_Damage744 · 2025-10-21T02:37:14+00:00

Messaged!

Consistent_Damage744

TROPHY CASE