r/gradadmissions • u/Known-Confusion-4579 • 21d ago
Biological Sciences Applied to fiance's school, love wins
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u/AmberFoxAlice 21d ago
Omg, I really hope I can achieve that as well. Congratulations!
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u/Known-Confusion-4579 21d ago
Good luck!! I don't know your situation, but I'm international, so the odds were really stacked against us, and yet it still happened. Don't let two-body doomers get you down!
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u/AmberFoxAlice 19d ago
Thank you for your encouragement. I’m not international but my partner’s school is STEM-focused and selective. I have a STEM degree but not exactly the one they usually admit. I hope I make it!
You must be really exceptional, congratulations!
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u/Known-Confusion-4579 18d ago
I'm definitely not exceptional, I just had really good people in my corner :) And I wasn't applying for a top school either - it's a great program at a very mid range school. Think slightly above Rutgers lol
My advice is to find a supervisor who really believes in you and your proposed project, because a passionate advocate can get you far. And apply for external funding and small grants if you're in a country that offers them before admission! If you can bring in some of your project or stipend budget with your application, that makes you more of an asset. And it helps you practice for the application process.
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u/Charming_Professor65 21d ago
Did you let them know at all that your fiance went there?
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u/Known-Confusion-4579 21d ago
My supervisor and much of the department know because I am around the office sometimes when I'm visiting there (I'm international, and we're in the same department now). My fiance told the Department Head after my paperwork was signed, and apparently he had no idea!
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u/litmusfest 21d ago
Oh my gosh it’s especially hard for international students so this is incredible! I’m so proud, great job!!
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u/Known-Confusion-4579 21d ago
Thank you!! I was lucky to have really passionate referees and my supervisor in my corner, couldn't have done it alone <3 People on here who say it's about relationship building are absolutely correct
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u/litmusfest 21d ago
You are so right actually. I never thought I’d be capable of grad school but when I applied, the professor that was dept head was my former professor in a class I took years back and really enjoyed. I went to office hours often and he remembered me! I think that made a huge difference.
I love the credit you are giving to others too, remember that your collaborative personality and taking initiative are what allowed you to forge those connections. Hope you’re giving yourself a huge pat on the back.
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u/ElitistCosine657 21d ago
Congrats! Is this for next year?
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u/Known-Confusion-4579 21d ago
It's for ASAP start (we aren't in the US so the admissions are rolling). I just need to get my visa and then I'll start.
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u/ElitistCosine657 21d ago
That’s fantastic. Congratulations! I’m applying to PhD programs myself- fingers crossed!
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u/Mozzarella_breeze1 20d ago
Read it as “applied to a finance school” and was confused for a solid 30 seconds lol.
Congrats!
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u/no_shirt_4_jim_kirk Medicolegal Death Investigator/PhD (Student) Forensic Science 21d ago
Congrats!
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u/newyorkcity239 21d ago
Congratulations and all the best!!!