Applied to EE, received an interview invite from a CE prof (not mentioned in app/SOP) who is looking for an EE student. Informed that decisions are heavily PI-driven (no departmental committee). Told will share 'more info' by Jan 16 - didn't happen. Followed up on Jan 26, awaiting response.

First-choice POI reached out for a brief interview.

In-depth interview with POI before applying. Chose direct-entry PhD on the main app and MASc on the ECE program-specific app (weird mechanics). Received formal notification of the POI expressing interest from the ECE grad office on Jan 26.

First-choice POI reached out via email.

Recieved email to check portal

Reached out by emails from POI.

Interviewed on Jan 21

Quantum Physics

Did't do a GRE. Applied for general track. I did my undergrad double major in CS and Physics abroad.

Circuits and Embedded Systems track

3.5 years of research experience; 3 papers (2 published, 1 under review); no GRE. Received an email from a professor inviting me to a 30-minute Zoom interview (asked to present a selected paper and discuss potential future work). Ended up talking for ~75 minutes.

American applicant. VLSI/comp arch focus. Email invite from PI. No publications.

Undergraduate applicant. International (currently studying BS CS in the US). 3 paper submissions (all still under review): 1 first author, 2 co-authors.

A decent profile but not something too research heavy or industry heavy. Just a bit of research experience during the summers and good academic records.