Discussion of potential projects with POI and possible temp position before joining. Transferring from previous R1 PhD program (long story) with 2 publications and 2 research internships. Have communicated with this POI before and given a talk at their lab, they have expressed strong interest (including LOR) but said they don't have too much sway over admissions.

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.

Interviewed on Jan 21

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.

Email from PI mentioned in SOP

DICE, $38,000 annual stipend

Direct email from the FOI!