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University of Hawaii at Manoa

Astronomy

RejectedPhDInternational (my highest degree is from USA)

Application Details

Institution
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Program
Astronomy
Degree Type
PhD
Degree's Country of Origin
International (my highest degree is from USA)
Decision
Rejected
Notification
on 29/01/2025 via E-mail
Undergrad GPA
3.85
GRE General
168
GRE Verbal
155
Analytical Writing
4.00
Notes
My seventh rejection this cycle. Received a generic email from the department chair that I was not admitted to their PhD program. This was definitely the most disappointing moment for me this cycle because all three of my recommenders have professional connections with several faculty members at UH Manoa. One of my recommenders even has worked closely with UH Manoa astronomers on the Pan-STARRS1 Survey for many years. I certainly don't know why I was rejected. They welcome applicants with close connections to apply and then reject them, which doesn't make sense at all. They even don't want to put me on the waitlist... :( Personal background: Undergraduate: earned from a prestigious UK university, First-Class Honours Degree (GPA 3.85/4.00 after WES evaluation), 1 year of research experience (4 different projects in total, including 1 UROP summer internship at Imperial College London), 3 preprints on arXiv, 2 strong LoR from my undergraduate project advisors; Graduate: currently earning my master's at WashU, GPA 3.43/4.00 (physics major GPA 3.62/4.00), 1.5 years of research experience (master's thesis project), currently writing my first-author paper, 2 department symposium experiences and 1 conference experience (3 posters presented in total), 1 strong LoR from my current PI. GRE 323+4.0 submitted.

Institution Statistics

Acceptance Rate

48.6%

Avg. Notification Date

March 15

This data is estimated based on applicant submissions at The GradCafe.

Timeline

  • Received notification of Rejection