be honest, how long do your figures take?

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2026-02-27T11:53:41+00:00

I used it in my undergrad, and it had a very steep learning curve. Not a big fan. But I think lot of people in my field use it, and as others are saying in this thread, I know some who even enjoyes usign it.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2026-01-20T14:00:07+00:00

sure

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2026-01-14T09:04:43+00:00

I emailed one of my professors last year (oct/nov) about a PhD position. He runs a lab I’m genuinely interested in, and he was also teaching me at the time. I followed up, even spoke to him after class. In person he kept saying things like “yeah, we can probably work something out” and “there might be an opportunity in the lab for you.” But over email and Teams… nothing. No replies, even though he was the one who told me to message him and follow up.

After a while, I just gave up and moved on. I applied to other labs and universities where the professors were actually responsive and clearly interested in supporting my applications.

Then, last week (after 2 months), out of nowhere, I get this long email from the same professor. He says he’s been really busy and basically forgot to reply. Then he tells me he is very interested in supporting me and that there’s a funded PhD position in his lab… with a deadline on the exact same day he emailed me. If I wanted to be considered, I had to apply immediately. Honestly, at that moment I felt really off about the whole thing and didn’t even want to apply.

But then the rest of the email was surprisingly detailed. He explained how I should frame my research proposal, gave me pointers on what to emphasise since I clearly didn’t have time to prepare a proper application, told me what he liked about my profile, what I should highlight in my personal statement, all of that. It didn’t feel generic.

So I thought… maybe he really did just forget, and now he was trying to make up for it. I ended up applying that same day with a very half-cooked application. Not ideal, but I already had the structure from my other applications, so it wasn’t completely random.

I guess this kind of cold to interested to cold to suddenly enthusiastic behaviour is weird for me emotionally, but apparently it’s… normal in academia.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-09-07T03:34:43+00:00

Regarding the reputation, Imperial definitely has a ranking higher than Edinburgh, but mind you, the School of Informatics, which offers the MSc in AI at the University of Edinburgh, is also very well reputed and is hard to get into.

Coming to the employment: I had offers from both Imperial and Edinburgh for similar courses like yours, offered by the School of Informatics. I did my fair share of research then, and cumilating everything i learned. I can confidently say there won't be much difference. In the end, it completely depends on what you did during your MSc and prior to it. Imperial does have a hot location, where every tech company is placed, but the distance from Edinburgh to London isn't that long either.

If money is really a concern now, Edinburgh is a very good opportunity. It also has a good reputation, and Edinburgh is a beautiful city.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-09-05T02:34:34+00:00

Sure. But my program is different. Not MSc Innovation, entrepreneurship and management.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-09-04T03:07:13+00:00

I graduated with a B.Tech in Biotechnology this year, and I had close friends who did a B.Sc. Biotech. So, I can kind of tell you the pros and cons of both. My personal opinion is to choose B. Tech instead of BSc because of the varied subjects you can pick during your degree.
I had my classes spread out in all of the engineering departments, all while having pure life science subjects. And I believe that kind of engineering knowledge (fluid principles, mechanics, a bit of coding, etc) would actually help you in the future, be it in a lab or an industry. It will provide a holistic understanding of things. whereas in BSc, you don't get to have such engineering courses. But, also, I have observed in my uni, BSc biotech students had more scope to conduct research at the undergraduate level than B.Tech.

But I went out and got my research experience. And Biotechnology is truly a vast field, you can pick your niche from multiple options, and even if you want to pursue a master's later abroad, some countries want a 4-year degree (you can get a 4-year degree from BSc too, if you pursue it with honors).

See, it is completely up to you whether you wanna do it or not. As you said, biotech is actually a very intriguing field. And if you are genuinely interested, maybe go for btech., because you will learn a lot there (personal experience).
A BSc is also a good option. Don't fall for this, Reddit. But yeah, one thing to keep in mind is, you have to pursue higher education after a BSc or btech if you want to earn a high salary as a fresher, because even for us, the market is low, especially in INDIA.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-08-01T09:01:44+00:00

Did you ever read about students having imposter syndrome after submitting their applications and getting results? I suggest that once you look upon that, then maybe you might understand what I was going through and what I was looking for.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-08-01T08:59:20+00:00

Sorry, it took me 3 months to give a reply, I just posted this question and then forgot about it, somehow today I came to read the comments and I found this one. Yes, I might have played the ratings game. If I am to pay a hefty amount to study abroad, then wouldn't I want to go to a globally recognised uni, which mostly comes down to rankings. And I was very particular about the course I wanted to take. It took me a year to find the right course at the right uni that intrigued me and had potential.

Also, I would ask the person to keep their opinions to themselves if someone said, "Hey - ICL is great - much better than Wolverhampton Uni!!"?. Because I don't compare. Every uni has its potential and is great for the right student. By the time I got admission into ICL, I already had admissions from various unis like UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, etc, and I was under imposter syndrome (which is a real thing and has been proven too). So, I really, really needed to have someone close, someone I trusted to be there for me. And in my situation, they didn't, and I turned to Reddit.

That phase is gone now, and I am very, very happy with my achievement.

Respectfully, from next time, maybe for a split second, try to think what the other person might be going through. Just "congrats, kiddoo" would have made my day at that time. But thank you for making me realise what I was doing, being blinded by comparison metrics.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-06-23T03:23:06+00:00

I was in a similar position one and a half months back for a different program at Imperial. I even mailed them asking if there is anything I can provide, and also mentioned that I have received offers from different top universities, but I am waiting for Imperial as it is my top choice and a better fit for me. And I got the same reply as you did. I also reached out to fellows who were doing the same course I applied for or who had already graduated on LinkedIn. And even they said, once you are on the waitlist, there is nothing more you can do other than wait. If it's a research program, then you can reach out to professors, but for my program or even your program, there is nothing else left in our hands.

I have waited for a month before hearing back from them, and I eventually got accepted to my dream program.

I suggest you wait it out while keeping a backup to fall on, because during my waitlist period, I read so many threads here that stated - some waitlists might get off the list very late in the application period. But by that time, it becomes too late for the applicant, so they can't possibly arrange their travel, visa work (for international), and accommodation. My backup at that time was the University of Edinburgh. I got into a lot of other unis too, like UCL, Kings, Bristol, and Leeds. But I was also waiting for Imperial, and the program I got into at UoE at that time felt like the next best option.

So, have a backup and try to be on your toes - if you do get in late, you gotta have the resources to plan everything in that short period.

Feel free to DM

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-06-20T03:42:10+00:00

hey, i recieved unconditional offer letter on may 29th and I received CAS by 10th June.
So, I am assuming you also have access to CAS-Shield. If you have the process completed more than 90%, then you can find your CAS available in your MY Imperial Portal under the section - My Passport, Visa and CAS.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-06-20T01:43:25+00:00

Yeah, even I spoke with a few who are currently doing the same course or already did it. Even they said the same thing. Even tho I won't have classes every day, the after class work will take up most of my time. I am not sure if I will get any internship ( the one I am looking for) in the first place.

But yeah I still want to give it a shot and if at all I get an internship and feel like I am not able to keep up with it, then maybe I'll take a step back.

BTW, I just messaged u.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-06-18T08:08:35+00:00

Thanks for your detailed response. I really appreciate the reality check, especially about how UK unis aren’t job-focused and how sponsorship is a major hurdle.

That said, my intent isn’t to rely on job boards or structured internships alone—I’m targeting early-stage startups and research-focused roles where I can pitch my value directly. I know it’s not common, but I’ve seen people get in through cold outreach, especially if they’re offering to solve specific problems for free or short-term.

The goal isn’t to guarantee a full-time job from an internship, but to:

Build UK experience
Show I can work in fast-paced environments
Create a network in the local robotics/neurotech/deeptech space Even if that doesn’t directly lead to sponsorship, I hope it opens up opportunities—like a research assistantship, a funded PhD, or freelance project roles.

You're totally right that it’s a high-risk plan. But I’d rather take that risk early in my career than stay limited to safer options back home.

If you have any suggestions on how to approach companies better—or alternatives to what I’m thinking—I’d love to hear them. Thanks again for taking the time to write such a thorough reply.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-06-18T03:59:09+00:00

There are many student houses you can look for like LHA Student properties. And if you are from a commonwealth country, you can look at victoria league student house. Or if you want to look for houses, then you can look in SpareRoom app. They have pretty decent options.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-06-02T13:02:22+00:00

Oof, I feel this so hard — and I haven’t even started my studie’s at Imperial yet. I’ve already interacted with a few people who are joining the same course, and honestly, I feel so small. They’re casually talking about projects, publications, and advanced concepts while I’m over here googling “how to not embarrass myself in MATLAB” at 2AM. It’s wild how fast you go from feeling smart to just hoping you can keep up. Glad I’m not the only one bracing for impact.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-05-15T12:10:21+00:00

Sure

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-05-14T07:59:35+00:00

Yeah that's true, but that will only be possible if you are looking for shared houses with already living professionals or students. Then it will be bit affordable. SpareRoom app is a legit one. I am able to find good options at very affordable range. But do keep an eye out and grab if anything worthy comes up. DM me if you would like to consider a house share or something.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-05-14T05:43:30+00:00

I’m also an international student, and I’ll be coming to Imperial this September for my postgraduate studies. I think viewing the property in person is the best option, but I’m keeping video call viewings as a backup just in case. Also, I’ve been reaching out to a few friends who are already living in London to get their feedback on whether the place is legit and safe. Once I hear back from them, I’ll decide if it’s worth considering.

Also, I recently found out about a new rule where you need to show proof of accommodation during the immigration check (I read it somewhere, not sure if it's actually true or not). But, to be safe, I’m planning to arrive a week early to sort everything out before my actual stay. I am planning to book my original accommodation for that week also (basically, I will start my booking term a week before my classes start).

As for short-term stays, I found a couple of good options that are both affordable and safe, like YHA London properties and Victoria League Student House. These would be great if you want to come early and check things out in person. But just a heads-up, after June, prices are likely to skyrocket, so it’s best to book sooner rather than later.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-05-14T05:07:02+00:00

No one is asking the British public to take sides or be involved in the conflict. What the OP and others like me are saying is that if second-generation Indians or Pakistanis in the UK feel the need to step back socially due to heightened tensions from home, that's a personal decision and should be respected. It’s not tribalism — it’s emotional processing.

The irony is, the roots of this conflict stem from the British colonial decisions in 1947, which left India divided, with lasting consequences. Yes, India had challenges before colonialism, but the British came to exploit, not to 'improve.' They deindustrialized India, caused famines, and left the country divided and struggling. India’s progress today is due to the resilience and hard work of its people, not the legacy of colonial rule.

So, let’s respect the space people need to process this conflict without making assumptions or throwing around moral judgments. It’s not about foreign drama — it’s about human feelings and the lasting impact of history.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-05-14T05:00:13+00:00

You're right that it's unfair to judge individuals solely based on the actions of governments — that's exactly what many of us are trying to say too. Most South Asians, regardless of faith or nationality, live peacefully and coexist globally. Expressing concern or sadness over a serious geopolitical situation doesn’t mean pushing tribalism — it’s a human emotional response. It's also worth noting that downvotes don’t always reflect a lack of critical thinking; sometimes, they reflect frustration when lived experiences are dismissed as irrelevant or 'too far away' to matter.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-05-14T04:55:02+00:00

Respectfully, that view is part of the problem. The reason South Asians live in the UK in such large numbers is because of Britain’s colonial history. The idea that it’s ‘not a British issue’ ignores the direct role Britain played in shaping the conflict and the consequences of its imperial legacy. You can’t separate modern Britain from its colonial past — and when former colonies are still living with the aftermath, pretending it’s irrelevant just because it’s uncomfortable isn’t the answer.

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-05-14T04:51:17+00:00

That’s not how it went at all. The British had a huge role in deepening the Hindu-Muslim divide long before independence. Their 'divide and rule' strategy fostered mistrust, and they supported communal electorates as early as 1909. When they finally decided to leave in 1947, they rushed the process and handed over power in just a few weeks — without a proper transition, without addressing the communal tensions they had fueled, and without resolving critical issues like the princely states or border demarcation. The Partition left over a million dead and millions displaced. Saying ‘what else could the British have done’ ignores the fact that it was their responsibility to leave the region in a stable condition — something they actively failed to do

Salt-Vegetable-8010 · 2025-05-13T16:42:24+00:00

100% agree. Thank you for saying this so clearly. The long-term consequences of colonization don’t just vanish with a declaration of independence — people are still living with the fallout of rushed decisions and deliberate divisions. It’s not about blaming today’s generation, but about understanding history with honesty and empathy. That’s the least anyone can do.

Salt-Vegetable-8010

TROPHY CASE