<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:ns1="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml"> <head><link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://andrew.cmu.edu/~igsa/favicon.ico"> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=unicode"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 11"> <link rel=File-List href="Random_questions_files/filelist.xml"> <link rel=Edit-Time-Data href="Random_questions_files/editdata.mso"> <!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--> <title>IGSA-CMU: New students' guide</title> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"/> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Author>samarth</o:Author> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:LastAuthor>sraut</o:LastAuthor> <o:Revision>10</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>497</o:TotalTime> <o:Created>2009-05-13T04:01:00Z</o:Created> <o:LastSaved>2009-05-26T01:18:00Z</o:LastSaved> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>2047</o:Words> <o:Characters>11672</o:Characters> <o:Lines>97</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>27</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>13692</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.9999</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>150</w:Zoom> <w:SpellingState>Clean</w:SpellingState> <w:GrammarState>Clean</w:GrammarState> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--> <style> <!--p.MSONORMAL {mso-style-unhide:no; 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height:375.0pt'> <td width=720 valign=top style='width:7.5in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in; height:375.0pt'> <p class=center><a name=random></a><a name="_top"></a><span style='mso-bookmark: random'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#984806'>Random Questions</span></b></span><b><span style='mso-themecolor:accent6;mso-themeshade:128'><span style='font-size: 16.0pt;color:#984806'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <div style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <div class=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'> <hr size=5 width="100%" noshade color="#99cc00" align=center> </div> </div> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>What is job scenario after economic <span class=GramE>slowdown ?</span> Compared to other premier institutes?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=center align=left style='margin-left:43.75pt;text-align:left; text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Let me give you this link about <a href="http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career/student/salary.html"><span style='mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>2008 CMU salary survey</span></a>. Apart from that, note that compared to scenario in industry academia is far way better after recent economic recession.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Regarding, comparison with other institutes, I would say is wastage of space here. When it comes to job 90% things depend on you since all placement offices in all institutes are striving hard prepare your case as good as possible. Unlike institutes in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>, rest of the procedure like applying, scheduling interview is left on the individual candidate. Institutes in top 10 <span class=GramE>list</span> do not differ much from each other as far as quality of education is considered. For PhD aspirants, it highly dependent upon the topic of their research, their actual research content and advisor s reputation in community.</p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>II.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>Is there any good vegetarian food facility at CMU</span></b><span style='font-family:Arial'>? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'>Yes!! However, that s an immaterial question when you are deciding about your career. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>III.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>How harsh is <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:City></st1:place> climate</span></b><span style='font-family:Arial'>? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'>Really <span class=GramE>bad !!</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>IV.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>Someone told me that 2 years MS is more appreciated than the one year one. Is that true? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'>Since you ll do more courses in 2 years, you ll know more and you <span class=SpellE>ll</span> have more value when you get recruited! It s obvious. On the other hand <span class=GramE>you <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>save</span> 1 year and may be go to a good industry and get more experience which will help you in your next job.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>V.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>Should I attend Open House? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'>If you are in US and do not have funding, it would be a good idea to attend it. It may open up a source of funding for you. But this varies from one Dept to the other. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;margin-left:.5in;text-align:right'><span style='font-family:Arial'><a href="#_top">&lt;Back to the top&gt;</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>VI.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>This may sound paranoid, but, I am a little concerned about safety issues in Pittsburgh- or, to put it blandly, how women-friendly is the place- by which I mean staying alone, moving around late at night/very early in the morning/ at the height of day, driving/ biking down possibly deserted streets etc? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'>There are plenty of women in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:City>. Lots of them in CMU too. Mishaps do happen if safety measures are not taken. Some incidents of thefts have been reported on occasion. But its not like <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Chicago</st1:City></st1:place> (& & . the <span class=GramE>movie ;</span>-p ). The areas around the campus are majorly student area i.e. usually crowded all the time. Traveling home from anywhere on campus at night/middle-of-the-night/early morning is very convenient. There is an escort service to drop people home. There are shuttles that regularly do their rounds on fixed-routes around the campus during the day as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span>VII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>I've been going through a booklet sent to me called Guide to Living in Pittsburgh (or something to that effect) and it has this map which has neighborhoods marked in grey (good), dark grey (bad) and black (ugly). And I am curious to know what is meant by 'good' and 'bad' neighborhoods? I won't even get to ugly. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'>Every city has their good and bad neighborhoods, so the booklet sent to you is not to scare you but just an informative guide <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oakland</st1:place></st1:City> is not considered a great area to stay in due to several reasons. Squirrel hill and Shady side must be marked as good (I haven t seen the booklet though). If you are studying in CMU, most probably you ll be staying in Squirrel hill or Shady side. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>VIII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>How big (size-wise) is the university and from one place to another within the university (like my office to the place where I d get food)? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'>CMU as a university is quite compact in size. Getting from one building to another for classes never a problem. <span class=GramE>you</span> won't even need a bike to get to your classes, as may be required at other places.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;margin-left:.5in;text-align:right'><span style='font-family:Arial'><a href="#_top">&lt;Back to the top&gt;</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>IX.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>Can I have my MS converted into PhD after 1 <span class=GramE>year ?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Some people do that. You have to apply for PhD like any other student. Just that now the faculty who d decide on your selection already knows you for one year. And <span class=GramE>its</span> generally a good idea to talk to a couple of professors and knowing their interest in you as a PhD candidate under them. Converting to PhD after 1 year also means that you spent one year out of your own pocket. Most advisors do not load you too much during your first year anyways, so if you are sure about PhD, it s not a good idea to apply for MS and then try to convert to PhD. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>X.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>Some information on INI (both MSIN and MSISTM)  by KS <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Most people take 2 years to do the program as they do an internship in the summer. Even though INI has an Internship option it is only valid if you are able to publish your work at INI. This is very hard because for proprietary reasons people will not agree to do it. If you do research in the summer then you can finish in 16 months. The internships <span class=GramE>is</span> a little confusing. It took me some to understand it too. The problem with the internship option is that INI faculty wants to know the work you did at your internship and how it relates to your coursework, so they want you to publish all the work you did at your workplace. This can be a problem with most companies as they do not like their work being published outside the company. Some companies might agree. There is an option all students have and that is to make the internships count towards your units for your degree. However, the only way you can make it count, is if you can present the work you did at the firm, which obviously most firms don't allow because of proprietary reasons. So whether you get to count it in your units or no, you can do an internship.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>The course load is almost equal to 1.75 Masters. The coursework you do in this master s is 1.75 times what you do in other master programs. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>If you are not used to units, 12 units = 1 course. People take 4 courses per semester. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>d.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>You are only charged tuition first 3 semesters the next 2 are well free. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>e.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>The first semester is going to be your hardest and involves a lot of work; most people do not do a TA or RA during their first Semester as it involves a lot of work. If you want to do it after that it is not very hard to find on campus employment (not recommended in your first semester again as it will take some adjusting to the system) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>f.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>At INI you get your own computer when you come in (no other department does this), first years get a cube while 2nd year students get to share an office with another senior. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>g.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Most students do a lot of courses from the business school too besides the ECE and CS courses. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>h.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>There is generally 100% placement after students finish. In fact most people are having the option of deciding between places to work. The CMU tag does count a lot. However, this year scenario is a little bit <span class=GramE>different !</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>i.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>In fact the core courses that are required for both the programs, embedded systems, Operating systems and Distributed systems are renowned courses and recruiters actually want students specifically for these courses. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>j.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>You have options of taking a lot of electives from a lot of different schools at CMU and hence you can practically find out your interests and what specific field you want to work. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>k.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>CMU career services are very good in terms of finding jobs. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>l.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>The campus is beautiful, not very big but a lot of greenery. Free wireless throughout. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>m.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>The MSIN program is a little more mature as it has been there for 15 years. The MSISTM program is a little more new but securities in CMU is very big right now and there are loads of different courses on it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>n.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Most of the students in the MSIN are international while most in the MSISTM are Americans, just because of the nature of the programs. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>There are a lot of private company jobs for people in the MSISTM, so that is not a problem. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>XI.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>Enough about INI. I am not from INI. Tell me about other departments. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'> LTI Masters has 108 requirement and most people do course work for units between 108 - 144 units besides research work. SCS/LTI has a course for 12 units. It s the same in ECE too. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>There is no more MS (Thesis) option in ECE. It s extinct, unfortunately. But yes, you may be able to complete MS in ECE in 1 year (2 semesters), but obviously that would require really intelligent (shrewd) choice of courses and extremely hard work. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span>XII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>Will I get an SSN? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Are you a funded student? If you are getting a stipend (or compensation or salary) then you will get a SSN.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Otherwise students who grab some part-time on campus job also get SSN.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>XIII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>Will I get a Credit Card? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Without SSN, no. With SSN, it is funny. Initially you ll find it tough to get it. And once you get one, you ll find it tough to throw away the trash because of the number of credit card offers you will receive by post! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>The buzz word you ll hear here is  Credit History which is how well you have been in the past in paying your bills, loans, credit card dues, etc. It builds up fastest using a credit card. The companies offer cards easily to those with good credit history. So you see the irony! You need a credit card for credit history &amp; a credit history for a card! Also, if you apply for a card and it gets rejected, it affects your credit history! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Alternately, try to build your credit history by paying small bills using your debit card (everyone can get this)  like Electricity. If you re lucky you can get a credit card within <span class=GramE>an</span> year. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>d.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Even with a debit card, you are not losing much. It can practically do everything what a credit card does (just requires you to have the money now as compared to tomorrow). Ideally speaking use of credit card is recommended against debit card if you have both.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>e.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>For any bank s credit card first you need to have stay of 6 months here. <span class=SpellE>E.g.PNC</span> bank which is the preferred bank in CMU offers you credit card if you have been staying here for <span class=SpellE><span class=GramE>atleast</span></span><span class=GramE><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>6</span> months and on an average monthly balance in your account is above $1500. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;margin-left:.5in;text-align:right'><span style='font-family:Arial'><a href="#_top">&lt;Back to the top&gt;</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>XIV.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>About <span class=SpellE><span class=GramE>Cellphone</span></span><span class=GramE> ?</span> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family: Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>AT&amp;T and T-mobile are popular. Tri-band handset e.g. Nokia N-series can work here also.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>If you want postpaid, you ll need a SSN for that. Alternately, some people ask their friends or relatives to buy one for them and then keep on paying the bill online. But if it s on someone else s name, you are not building your own credit history by paying the bills. You can also pay a big security deposit (~$400) which is refunded to you after a year. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>For prepaid it is quite easy. You need your passport copy only. I remember that I got T-mobile through some scheme that time with simple decent model of handset for $25 with <span class=SpellE>talktime</span> worth $25 free! Such schemes could be useful for your initial need during house hunting. Another advantage for newcomer is that two T-mobile outlets are in CMU neighborhood  one near <span class=SpellE>Upitt</span> (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Univ.</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>) and another in squirrel hill (but AT&amp;T is not having any!). Advantage with AT&amp;T is that most student use AT&amp;T and AT&amp;T to AT&amp;T is free. Note  prepaid is costly  around 20 cents per minute. However, there is also another hybrid scheme in which you pay upfront specified monthly rental.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>XV.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>How do you call <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> and how much does it cost? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Skype, <span class=SpellE>GTalk</span>, YM are fabulous for PC to PC. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>From phone to phone, most of us are using Reliance or <span class=SpellE>Airtel</span> or <span class=SpellE>TATA s</span> Calling cards. I would suggest you buy a calling card of one of these of a nominal denomination ~$10. You can use this during the initial few days you are here. You can later decide which one to buy. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>These cards cost ~ 6.5 cents/min.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>XVI.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>How much do the day to day things cost? What all are not available here? In short, what all should I carry from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>You get almost anything that you would get in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> in the Indian stores (sometimes with lesser choice of brands). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>You can get branded shoes and clothes (Adidas, Reebok, Nike) cheaper here. Sales of 80% off are not unheard of here. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>You would need a winter jacket (down) which you may not get in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Moreover it won t make sense carrying the heavy and bulky thing which takes up a lot of your limited suitcase space. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>d.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>You get all the food items (<span class=SpellE>Dal</span>, Rice, pickles, spices, etc) either in the Indian store or the general stores here. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>e.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Girls would like to get their nice dresses from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>, <span class=SpellE><span class=GramE>esp</span></span> the summer ones (as they take less suitcase space). It s sometimes a tough job to find clothes of your size in the stores here. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>f.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>Do not stuff your luggage with stuff like 5 toothpastes, 5 <span class=SpellE>kgs</span> of <span class=SpellE>Dal</span>, 5 <span class=SpellE>kgs</span> of Rice, etc. You may get some special pickle, some sweets etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>XVII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>How do you divide your expenses among housemates/friends? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:Arial'>There are some simple online tools available to help you split your bills (rent, utilities, restaurant bills etc) and track your expenses. Most of us use </span><a href="https://www.buxfer.com/"><span style='font-family:Arial'>Buxfer (www.buxfer.com)</span></a><span style='font-family:Arial'>, a website that has been developed by Indian graduate students at CMU (and IGSA members). Using <span class=SpellE>Buxfer</span>, you will know how much money others owe you, and how much do you owe others. You can also track your expenses, set budgets, and report transactions using SMS. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; color:#336600'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>XVIII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></b><![endif]><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial;color:#4F6228'>What is <span class=SpellE><span class=GramE>misc.market</span></span><span class=GramE> ?</span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>How to use <span class=GramE>it ?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family: Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><![endif]><span class=SpellE><span style='font-family:Arial'>Misc.market</span></span><span style='font-family:Arial'> and many alike are the forums in CMU where people post advertise about the items they want to buy/sell. E.g. furniture, tickets etc. You have to subscribe to it. To subscribe, log in your </span><a href="https://webmail.andrew.cmu.edu/"><span style='font-family:Arial'>email account</span></a><span style='font-family:Arial'> &gt;&gt; Click  Folders on the Top &gt;&gt; Find subscribe field to your lower right of page &gt;&gt; type  <span class=SpellE>cmu.misc.market</span> and hit subscribe. You will find a new folder below your inbox on left side of screen. Click that folder to view the postings. Same thing is applicable to subscribe other forums like  <span class=SpellE>cmu.misc.market.furniture</span> or  <span class=SpellE>cmu.misc.market.apartments</span> etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:right'><span style='font-family:Arial'><a href="Random_questions.htm#_top#_top">&lt;Back to the top&gt;</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:right'><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <div style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> <hr size=5 width="70%" noshade color="#ff9900" align=center> </span></div> </div> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial'><a href="../info.html">&lt;Back to the info page&gt;</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-family:Arial'><a href="http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/~igsa/">&lt;Back to IGSA Home page&gt;</a></span></i><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a name=links></a><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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