nh88

If you are considering a PhD in the future, research opportunities matter. In this scenario, you would want to improve your portfolio of research experience. Look into the specifics of how you might get these opportunities at both schools. It might turn out that one is more accessible for a Master's student in this regard than the other. All things being equal (or even maybe not completely equal), you might want to consider the relative cost of living. Since you are going in unfunded, this might be a consideration. I am assuming living at UPenn would be more costly than living in Ann Arbor. Also look into what the school's have to say about the availability of TA positions. While not offered immediately, it may be possible for you to pick up a TA position after a semester of good performance. Obviously, this would make the finances somewhat easier. In my own case (unfunded Master's in EE at Stanford), I considered these same issues and decided on Stanford once I was convinced that I would be getting my money's worth from the program.

what program? I'm considering MS in EE.

ElecEng, I have also applied to UCLA, but have not heard back from them as of yet. Are you planning on attending the PhD Open House next week for USC? I am planning on attending and plan to meet with several faculty members that I am interested in working with.

Congratulations to all those who were admitted! Hope you all continue to amaze at Berkeley!

I think you have to be careful with how you frame it. First and foremost, you would want to attend the program for the program. However location is definitely a factor. I guess what you need to do is make it sound like a supplementary reason and be very careful it does not come across as a primary reason.

This sounds really strange. Perhaps they somehow misunderstood your request, thinking that you wanted them to pay for your partner as well? Although I do not see how that's possible given that you offered to pay. I can certainly see where you're coming from as your partner would certainly have a say in your decision. Don't worry about what they are thinking and go into the interview with full confidence! Either they will accept you and if this simple request somehow makes a difference, I do not think it is a place you want to be at. Good luck!

Relax, you have a great advantage on a phone interview! You can have your notes with you and just be in a comfortable setting in your home or wherever. I had a phone interview in early January, in a different field. I was asked to first justify why I wanted to pursue a PhD. Be ready for this question, this should be very easy. Just make sure you are coherent. Try practicing this with a friend/family member. Also make sure that you do not contradict your statement of intent. I was then asked to describe my research experience to date. Finally, I was asked to clarify within my field where exactly I see myself performing research. After the questions, I was asked if I had any questions. Make sure you have questions. I think this is a very important part of the interview. I asked about the process in the admissions cycle, as well as the process upon admission. I also asked my potential adviser to describe some of the research that I might become involved with. Ask about the environment etc etc. Basically, the sense I got was this was a tool for the school to mainly verify my personality as well as verify what I wrote in my statement of intent.

When I've been seeing others post acceptances to my top choices, I've felt an initial jealousy, and then basically indifference. I'm comfortable with the fact that for this admissions cycle, I have done all I can. At this point, it either works out or it doesn't. If I don't get accepted into my top choices, then people who are more qualified did. I don't have any problem accepting that. One of the things that helps me cope is the knowledge that I have other options with an Engineering degree. I can always find a rewarding job in industry.

same.

I'm in the same boat. I've also applied for Area 1 and not heard a thing. I'm really hoping that the results thus far have just been Computer Science ...

Haha, so new strategy: hope to avoid the rejection rounds .

I am not too familiar with UPenn's Engineering programs. However, let me give you a bit of perspective on Toronto. First, with respect to the city -fantastic. It has something for everyone and is extremely cosmopolitan. U of T in particular prides itself on being an international institution, and many many students are from abroad. There is a vibrant night life, tons of ethnic restaurants, museums, etc. Basically, you will not find yourself lacking anything in that sense. Plus, for a large city, it's extremely safe. Your 15,000 in living expenses will go a long way towards covering your expenses. Rent can be expensive, but it depends on what sort of life you want to lead. Plenty of students can find appropriate accomodation in the 700-900 range. That will leave you likely enough for food and other expenses. You won't be able to lead an extravagent existance, but you can certainly make ends meet. Your potential TAship will also help, and would be a useful source of some extra income to enjoy yourself. Now, in regards to the education. Simply put, the quality of U of T's engineering program is absolutely world class. You will not be getting an inferior education in any sense by choosing U of T. You need to ensure that the supervisor that you have is someone you'd like working with, but that's the case with any program. Are they offering you a visit to help you decide?

just wondering what you folks think ... with this round of acceptances going out, do you think it's the end of the line for those who haven't been offered admission to Berkeley?

While I do agree that rankings are not the greatest measure, as an outsider, I was trying to guage the general perception of USC. When I am doing a PhD and investing atleast 4 years of my life into a program, I need to know how the program is perceived. I appreciate your perspective on how the difference schools stack up. I realize that I will be primarily judged based on the merits of my own research, but at the same time there is always some consideration for where one has been educated. Of course I'm trying to establish some measure of quality, and while you may consider these irrelevant details, I think they are worth considering. It would suggest to me that the individual faculty is accomplished and so I would have an opportunity to learn from a leader in a particular field. Isn't that what we all want as graduate students? On the "centers for excellent", I am just trying to understand what one is and its' significance.

I didn't mean to imply that the quality of candidates in one field is inferior to another at all and am sorry if it came across like that. I was alluding more to the scenario where Person A in Field X with a 3.8 CGPA, 800Q, 640V got in but Person B in Field Y with a 3.85 CGPA, 800Q, and 660V was rejected. In such a scenario, I was merely trying to illustrate that there are more factors at play, one of them might be specific needs of professors in the differen fields that aren't represented in the hard credentials.