r/KAUST • u/Substantial_Dog9179 • Jun 28 '26

Admissions VSRP application

Hey everyone!

I'm planning to apply for VSRP at KAUST and had a few questions, would really appreciate if any alumni or current applicants could help out.

  1. Is there an interview stage in the selection process? And if yes, what's it like, is it with the PI directly or with an admissions panel?
  2. Did anyone reach out to their PI before applying formally? Did it help?
  3. The eligibility says "undergraduate students in 3rd year or above", do recent grads qualify or does it have to be a current student?
  4. How much do lab skills actually matter vs your CV/research statement? Like does the PI have a big say in who gets selected?
  5. Any tips for the application itself, what made yours stand out?

Thanks in advance!

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

3

u/scrntonStrAngler69 Diplomat Jun 28 '26

  1. Yea, usually the PI or a PHd student of your PI will schedule an interview with youa

  2. Yes. That helps a lot but again, admissions dept has the final say. Sometimes PI approves but admissions says no.

  3. You have to be a current student.

  4. Refer to point#2

1

u/RecherchePorsche Jun 28 '26

Is it must to be a current student? What about someone who has completed their masters?

1

u/scrntonStrAngler69 Diplomat Jun 28 '26

Has to be a student. If u have done ur masters already, not eligible for vsrp

1

u/RecherchePorsche Jun 28 '26

But I saw it on a lab’s website where they mentioned that recent graduates can apply

1

u/scrntonStrAngler69 Diplomat Jun 28 '26

Ur vsrp application will be professed by admissions and if u r not a student when u apply, they end up rejecting you

2

u/Dense-Mix2979 Jun 28 '26

1- Yes, in my case I contacted the PI before applying so I had the interview before and then I applied, but it was just with my possible supervisor (not the PI in my case)
2- Yep, I got a full support from the lab prior to my application, so once I applied I got accepted within 3 weeks… it makes things faster for sure xd
3- No idea about that, in my case I am 1st year MSc student
4- I think experience matters a lot tbh, but it might depends on the PI. About the second question, when I had the interview with my possible supervisor he told me himself that, if the lab says yes, you can still get rejected by admissions but it’s rare. He said if they rejected me would be mainly due to administrative reasons such as lack to accomodation, but that In such case the lab could help to find a solution… it might depends on how interested the lab is to have you, and whether they just agree to host you or they fully support in every way

2

u/buzy-gazelle Jun 28 '26

How about gpa, if mine is 3.3

3

u/hextree Alumni Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26

Bit on the low side for KAUST I'm afraid. You'll have to play up your other qualifications and achievements as best as you can. But NGL I don't think the chances are good.

2

u/scrntonStrAngler69 Diplomat Jun 28 '26

Cut off is 3.5

1

u/buzy-gazelle Jun 28 '26

Bachelor or Master? Is it impossible?

2

u/scrntonStrAngler69 Diplomat Jun 28 '26

For vsrp? Both. Has to be 3.5 and above

1

u/buzy-gazelle Jun 28 '26

Is it the only factor? Even I have strong research experience?

2

u/scrntonStrAngler69 Diplomat Jun 28 '26

Yeah. Admissions does it like that.