MSc Petroleum Geoscience at Imperial 2014/2015

Yeah, had pretty much the same experience as yourself.
Initially I had been hoping for an industry interview, but as you said yourself with so many applicants with years relevant work experience verses; my zero relevant work experience I hadn't a chance at getting anything other than a academic interview.

The interview itself, I think, went well enough. Although it flew by and yes I too was asked very little in the way of technical questions. I had brought in my thesis which (if I do say so myself!!) is a pretty decent piece of work. He seemed impressed by the topic of it being a UG thesis; (looking at Pb isotopic signatures in K-feldspar) and he asked if I was going to present it at any conferences etc. So that was positive.

However myself and another class mate in attendance reckon when you take out international student and those who got scholarships, we're looking at ~15 places on the MSc that about ~90 of us remaining candidates will be fighting over, so the odds of getting a place aren't too great!

TBH, before the open day I hadn't really considered Imperial as a running due to the financial cost of moving to and living in London, I'm from Ireland.
However, the whole presentation that the staff and past students of the MSc gave was really impressive and now I want in, typical!

Yeah, had pretty much the same experience as yourself.
Initially I had been hoping for an industry interview, but as you said yourself with so many applicants with years relevant work experience verses; my zero relevant work experience I hadn't a chance at getting anything other than a academic interview.

The interview itself, I think, went well enough. Although it flew by and yes I too was asked very little in the way of technical questions. I had brought in my thesis which (if I do say so myself!!) is a pretty decent piece of work. He seemed impressed by the topic of it being a UG thesis; (looking at Pb isotopic signatures in K-feldspar) and he asked if I was going to present it at any conferences etc. So that was positive.

However myself and another class mate in attendance reckon when you take out international student and those who got scholarships, we're looking at ~15 places on the MSc that about ~90 of us remaining candidates will be fighting over, so the odds of getting a place aren't too great!

TBH, before the open day I hadn't really considered Imperial as a running due to the financial cost of moving to and living in London, I'm from Ireland.
However, the whole presentation that the staff and past students of the MSc gave was really impressive and now I want in, typical!

I didn't expect the huge amount of people who turned up for the Open Day. You may recognise me as the one who's probably the most underdressed among you all. Other than that, I enjoyed making some new friends and we ended our day at a bar nearby (You know who you are!).

Anyway, I wish you all good luck and I look forward to seeing you all in October!

P.S. Have you guys got any plan regarding accommodation if you get in?

Yh I was part of the RHUL contingent haha, there were 5 of us in total, 2 of whom received offers already and were there for the panel interviews for funding, one of which got one from BG group!

I agree with you though, it's expensive. I initially thought that the cost of the field trips was covered by the course fees, but that just adds to the already scary figure! And I think that is a positive. But like you mentioned, I also counted 15 places, esp considering international students who already have offers and cannot make it for the interview etc. Wow, well as long as Aberdeen get back to me and/or RHUL, where I already am, I'll be happy. Disappointed not to go to Imperial, but happy I got onto a course. I think the only main thing for imperial is the weight the name carries, as well as the integrated course with the other disciplines. Otherwise Aberdeen is similar in career prospects and industry regard.

My interviewer asked me little on the technical side, like I mentioned before, only asked me about my mapping work and where it took place. Apparently he worked there and then seemed to want to narrow in on one specific fossil type, which wasnt of great importance, and despite his expertise being in structural side of things. Then focussed on my personal statement, and my opening geopolitical slant. He was very curious why I chose the specific science side. Then REALY pushed on whether or not I consider myself capable of the maths side of things not having maths a level, but kept assuring me that being predicted a v.high 2:1, I am a very likeable candidate, although he wanted reassurance I was capable of the maths. Once I told him of my evening tuition and the maths module etc...He said " you have put my heart at rest"...Don't know what to take of that tbh.

Hey I've got offer for MSc Pet Eng at IC too. Probably will be your course mate this year =)

Hey!

Good to find another Pet Eng MSc person. Have you accepted your offer? What is your background? I haven't accepted my offer yet, I have both Imperial and Heriot-Watt on the table, but I am leaning more towards Imperial primarily because of the name. But the fact that Imperial's Pet Eng MSc is not accredited is the only low point for me.

Well, IF I do get in, which is very unlikely, I might try to get onto Orient House. Its like 15-18 mins by tube or half that time by cycle. My bro used to live there when he did his BSc. Decent place but EXPENSIVE.

Yh, I remember my mate telling me, oh theres not a lot of people, 10 mins later, "I spoke to soon" -_-...so you were good on getting your offer beforehand haha.

Don't worry, just stay positive Did you also apply to any other unis? In terms of accommodation, I'm leaning towards staying at Griffon Studios cos' I want to make full use of my uni life socialising with others. But if we all (as in potential classmates) can share a house, that would be even better.

Honestly, haven't had a look. I'm all for socialising, but I have been sharing room then bathrooms for 3 years now. I really want a room with ensuite facilities. It's just one of those things haha. As for other uni's, RHUL where I am atm, Aberdeen, my second choice after Imperial. So fingers crossed.

Hey I've got offer for MSc Pet Eng at IC too. Probably will be your course mate this year =)

Hey nunno and engineer4,

I just submitted my application for MSc in Petroleum Eng last week, just want to ask you two, how many days/weeks did you guys received your offer after you submitted it? Conditional or unconditional?

Regards,

KaZman

Hey nunno and engineer4,

I just submitted my application for MSc in Petroleum Eng last week, just want to ask you two, how many days/weeks did you guys received your offer after you submitted it? Conditional or unconditional?

Regards,

KaZman

Hey,

I applied in early November and I received my conditional offer in early January. My condition is that I must complete my current undergraduate mechanical engineering degree with a 1st Class.

What's your background? Have you applied elsewhere?

Good luck with your application!

engineer4,

Thanks for the info. My background is in Electrical Engineering, but I have +/- 5 years of experience in upstream O&G, I hope this will help a lil bit with my application..

I am applying Heriot-Watt as well at the moment.. Heard that its equally as good as Imperial.. How about you? Did u apply somewhere else?

Regards,

KaZman

G'd luck to you pal. Do let me know if you get in. In terms of accommodation, I decided to go for Independent Student Accommodation rather than Gradpad. A bit further but 30 minutes of commute is no big deal to me

Pls what is the concept behind waiting list ,am an international student placed on it. just want to know.and when likly is next reply to come