I recently got the greenlight from 1 PI that I emailed. I had emailed a total of 3 and one said no, one never replied and one said yes. Sort of. "I may have a spot. Mention me in the form". While may shows a possibility and not a guarantee, generally speaking, is having a nod of approval from one PI good enough?
I am applying to KAUST this coming August for my MS in Marine Science in Fall 2027. I am entering my last year as an undergraduate student and I'm already doing my degree's mandatory summer internship. I cannot do the VSRP due to this. My final year is very hectic leaving me with no wiggle room. Is applying straight to an MS common at KAUST? Do people get accepted? And also, since I'm Pakistani, will competing for the quota be a problem despite the unique program I'm applying to? Most Pakistani students apply for biosciences, computer sciences and engineering programs. I have not seen any Pakistani student in the lab website current/alumni pages for marine science. Does this mean I have a high chance of being accepted?
Hey, I'm genuinely curious and not trying to be hateful. I do not intend to be pessimistic, in fact I am asking because I like staying as optimistic and hopeful as possible. But one thing I've observed is that most people in this sub Reddit have extremely high gpas, several publications and just overall really great stats. And yet many of them get ghosted in the admissions process, or worse, rejected. And oftentimes, the reason for rejections isn't told and I see even the most talented users completely disheartened. I will be applying in August 2026 and I mailed my PIs of interest like a month ago and even I haven't received any reply. I am genuinely asking with good intent, but is this lack of response from KAUST something we should be concerned about? Does this happen because everyone is super busy or does it happen because they don't care? I really like this university but I don't fully understand what they're looking for. Even when candidates have the exact qualifications, why don't they get a timely acceptance? Is it because of delays from being busy, bureaucracy, or both?
I'm gonna apply to KAUST for Fall 2027 and start the application process as early as possible. I believe the portal opens in August 2026. I've prepared my rough drafts of the SOP, my CV, also writing a review article as I could not get research in my bachelors due to funding reasons. My gpa is 3.5 which I intend to improve and bring up to a 3.6 by the time this semester of mine ends. Hopefully when I graduate I'll have a 3.7. I'm applying for MS Marine Science and I've already started preparing for the IELTS and I'll be doing my bachelors degree internship this summer (mandatory in my country) while the portal opens. Is anyone else applying from Pakistan? If yes, what program? I would love to connect with all the Pakistani prospective applicants. I would also like to know if rejection is higher for Pakistani students or not. And what kind of paperwork we would all have to do for the visa.
I am a biotech major from Pakistan. I am in my 6th semester of my undergrad so I still have a year (two more semesters) to think about this as I wait for my graduation in 2027 to then apply to KAUST for Marine Science. I really want to do the combined degree but is it easier to get rejected from this since I haven't done a masters? My GPA is good and I have some research experience and I know what research areas I would like to pursue. I really want to do the joint program, would you guys recommend it? Why or why not? And is there anything I need to know before I apply?