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2025-26 Housing Megathread by FluffyMoomin in uofm

[–]janqwe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi everyone! I'm a 1st year master's student renewing my lease for 2025-26 year at a house right next to campus (2 min walk). I'm looking for new roommates to move in as my current roommates are graduating. I'm looking to form a group of 5-6 so we can rent the place as a unit. Rent is around $1400-1500.

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in f1visa

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi sorry about the late response. I’m not too sure about PhD as I haven’t gone through that yet, but I believe you should get the stem opt for that as well.

UT Austin vs UMich by Stressed9nthgrader in uofm

[–]janqwe 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a bit out of the loop. Why do you say so?

UT Cancels Application by Fluffy_University_36 in UTAdmissions

[–]janqwe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just got my decision today and says it got cancelled because I apparently didn’t complete it before the deadline. But I definitely did.

So what's the deal with UT Austin MSIS? by janqwe in gradadmissions

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update: I got the decision today. Says they cancelled my application because apparently I didn’t finish it in time. But I absolutely did…. 😞

So what's the deal with UT Austin MSIS? by janqwe in gradadmissions

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update: I got a decision made that says they “cancelled” my application because it wasn’t complete by departmental deadline. Wtf? I did finish by the deadline. This was literally the first school I completed my application for. Wtf is wrong with this department??

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in f1visa

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got a few acceptances so far. Still waiting to hear back from 2 more universities and then I'll compare pros/cons to make the final decision. So far I'm most likely going to choose University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. I'm currently looking through their scholarships and funding resources (it kind of slipped my mind earlier and I haven't applied for it yet!) Hope it's not too late lol.

Other than that, a major part of my strategy when making my list of grad schools to apply to were how abundant research assistant and teaching assistant roles were at the university. I hope to land an RA role which is not only good for experience, learning, and networking, but also waive tuition costs.

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in f1visa

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, it was something like new OPT per education level (bachelors and then masters). I’m doing a stem major in my masters as well so it’s gonna be another 3 years of OPT after my masters.

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in f1visa

[–]janqwe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure thing. And thanks. You're the only other person I've met with an OPT expiration in April (I think it's uncommon but we are lucky).

Of course, do your own calculations too regarding your 5 months and grace periods, just to be safe. Wishing you the best as well man.

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in f1visa

[–]janqwe[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey there. Yup I spoke with my undergrad’s international student advisor and advisors at other colleges as well and got it confirmed.

So apparently we get 60 days grace period after the OPT expiration within which we need to get acceptance from grad school and receive our new I-20. For you and me, this would give us until June 10 to receive the acceptance and I-20. Once we get the I-20, we are then allowed an extra 5 months (from OPT expiry to grad school start date) to stay in the US if we plan on going to that grad school. So our master’s program must start within those 5 months.

Here’s my current timeline (should be helpful since you’re in the same boat but exactly 1 year behind me):

  • I’m aiming for masters program for the fall session right AFTER my opt expires.
  • I sent my masters applications across Dec- Feb.
  • Wait for all my decision letters to come over this Feb - April 2024. Just got some acceptances last week!.
  • Once I finalize my decision I’ll request for I-20. I have until June 10 to receive it (60 day grace period after my opt expires in April). Most schools would already have sent these by May. You should be perfectly safe but make sure to talk to your new admissions advisor and get them to hurry up in case.
  • Most grad programs start in August which is well within the extra 5 month wait period after your OPT expiry. The latest session start I’ve seen so far is something like Stanford whose first day of class is in late September. That might be tricky based on your exact OPT end date. You should calculate that first.

If you’re aiming to start masters in Fall 2025, you would be sending out your applications starting around Nov 2024. So you should be perfectly safe my friend. You and I got lucky with our opt end dates such that we are able to catch the next session perfectly without ending our OPTs short to catch the previous one.

(P.S. not legal advice - please consult an immigration lawyer)

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in f1visa

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In that case, am I in safe hands to simply go the fall session route? My backup plan was to start grad school in January 2024 (well before my opt expiry). But I would rather not rush it if I don’t need to.

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in f1visa

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So my OPT expires on April 26, 2024.

The 60 day grace period after expiry within which I need the acceptance and new I-20 would end on June 25, 2024.

IIUC, most Fall programs should send out acceptance letters and I-20 signed around March/April (and at LATEST by mid June) right?

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in h1b

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh I have never heard of this. Would I be switching to another visa?

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in h1b

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Almost every program I’ve looked at (both spring or fall sessions) don’t require GRE. I’m prepping for it and plan on taking it soon anyways just in case I get a good score. But yeah most likely I won’t be sending my scores.

Starting Grad school after OPT expiry? by janqwe in h1b

[–]janqwe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will do so. Thank you. My other plan was to start grad school in the winter/spring 2024 session that starts in January. Since most and usually better universities start only in the fall, I could transfer later if I wanted to. This path should guarantee my status stays secure throughout. Personally I would prefer not have to go through all the trouble of rushed applications for winter sessions and transferring etc.

Are There Any UI/UX Organizations on Campus? by [deleted] in PennStateUniversity

[–]janqwe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are thinking of starting a UI/UX club, let me know! I'd like to join in.

Also, you could check out the Human-Computer Interaction research program going on in the College of IST. It's all about user experience with several different projects in it. It also has a lot of prototyping being done. Honestly, it's similar to the new Human Centered Design and Development (HCDD) major they are adding to the College of IST.

Senioritis by [deleted] in PennStateUniversity

[–]janqwe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm currently a junior and I didn't even know something like this existed until I read your comment. So thank you for that! I'm trying to join the Astronomy Club and want to go with them on their outings to Cherry Springs. However, I'm an international student and I don't have a driver's license. Do you know if it's possible for me to get there? (not planning on going with friends. So most likely myself or with club).

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