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chemgirl2013

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chemgirl2013 last won the day on December 9 2023

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  • Application Season
    2016 Fall
  • Program
    Materials Science & Engineering

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  1. Current UM Grad Student here, check this out: https://offcampushousing.umich.edu Once you've accepted your offer and created a university email account/password, this website is the definitive one that is used by incoming students to find housing with other graduate students. The profile even lets you specify your department, your preferences, etc. Don't waste your time with other websites like Craigslist, or at least use this website first to identify a roommate match and then look for apartments together. Good luck!
  2. I'm not entirely sure what their work capacities were in industry, but I essentially worked at a coatings company (a subsidiary of a major chemical company) where all I was qualified to do was analytical chemistry. HPLC, NMR, MS, ICP, K-F titration. I did work with chemical engineers, who worked in process design. I have no idea what ChemE's do in industry so I don't want to say anything wrong. Check out the ACS C&EN news sections on industry placement/salary I mentioned earlier. They have up-to-date statistics comparing degree levels and also Chem E vs. Chem. Of course, there's always exceptions to every rule, but if you want the safer bet-- I'd try to go ChemE, especially if you're interested in MSE industry.
  3. As a chemist undergrad who spent the last 2 years switching to applied science (MSE) via a masters, it matters. PhD chemical engineers make 6 figures, or really close. Plain and simple. PhD chemists (if you can find a job) make 25% less. Visit the ACS website, they always publish this data comparing Chem vs. ChemE each year. Chemical engineers have no problems finding positions in industry after graduation, whereas chemists typically postdoc when they can't find a job (some for as many as 5-6 years, ChemE postdoc is only 2 max) to become competitive for jobs in the field, or have a shot at academia. I decided that I didn't want to risk having zero job prospects, so I decided to turn myself into somewhat of an engineer by doing a master's to get the classes out of the way. While there's absolutely no difference in the research that I do, I have so much peace of mind now. The straw that broke the camel's back was when I graduated with a Bachelor's degree and got a job as an analytical chemist (Ivy league, and yet I got paid $12.50/hr). My ChemE friends (and we were in the same undergraduate research lab), all earned $40/hr and worked at impressive chemical companies. Ask any chemist doing their PhD. There is absolutely no comparison. Become an engineer and save yourself the stress in 5 years.
  4. Thank you so much! I have until April 15th to decide, and so far I'm between an excellent BME program (where I'd work with a newer biomaterials prof because I don't have my own funding) and an excellent Materials Science Program where I'd have my own funding (I could easily work with biomaterials faculty). I think the research in both programs would be roughly the same, and perhaps slightly better in the Materials Science program. I'm more concerned about the job prospects after graduation. I'd love to earn a high 5 figure, even 6 figure salary, which doesn't seem typical for a BME PhD in industry even with experience. If biology is a detriment to earning potential, I'd consider starting over and doing my PhD work in something a little bit more lucrative outside of biomaterials-- like energy, coatings, self-assembly, or process design. Are you in a BME program? Do you think you'll postoc after your PhD? Or go into industry right away?
  5. HM for NSF. Darn it. Has anyone been able to become an Associate fellow through a specific school? It would be really nice to have my own funding and work with the better PI's that might not be taking students. (5 years of funding is a pretty sweet deal!)
  6. I posted this in another forum section with no replies. Maybe I'll have better luck here Hoping to get some advice from people in the field! I am not an engineer (undergrad was in chemistry); so, my background is in synthetic organic chemistry (specifically, soft matter), and my research interest is in the area of biomaterials. I have been accepted to some great top 10 programs in both Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, so there is no question that any of my programs' reputations is enough to pick one over other. My question is more long-term-- which field has better job prospects (industry options, flexibility of industry)? I know that money isn't everything, but which has better income potential? My current advisor says to go with Materials Science as she did her PhD in Chem E and is currently a BME prof. She says its more established historically. If MSE is the better option, should I give up biomaterials work altogether and work in an area more lucrative, like energy? From my perspective, because I currently work in a BME lab, BME seems to be pretty vague and sort of an umbrella of various backgrounds (Bio, MechE, EE, Chem) that sometimes lacks a clear focus. But I enjoy the interdisciplinary nature of the field. I'm just wondering if for this reason doing BME for a PhD will hurt me long-term. Thoughts? Especially people doing PhDs in BME or MSE? Thanks! This is a big dilemma for me considering the time/research commitment for a PhD in either field.
  7. Hoping to get some advice from people in the field! I am not an engineer (undergrad was in Chemistry); so, my background is in synthetic organic chemistry (specifically, polymers), and my research interest is in the area of biomaterials. I have been accepted to some great top 10 programs in both Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, so there is no question that any of my programs' reputations is enough to pick one over other. My question is more long-term-- which field has better job prospects (industry options, flexibility of industry)? I know that money isn't everything, but which has better income potential? My current advisor says to go with Materials Science as she did her PhD in Chem E and is currently a BME prof. She says its more established historically. If MSE is the better option, should I give up biomaterials work altogether and work in an area more lucrative, like energy? From my perspective, because I currently work in a BME lab, BME seems to be pretty vague and sort of an umbrella of various backgrounds (Bio, MechE, EE, Chem) that sometimes lacks a clear focus. But I enjoy the interdisciplinary nature of the field. I'm just wondering if for this reason doing BME for a PhD will hurt me long-term. Thoughts? Especially people doing PhDs in BME or MSE?
  8. So there's hope yet! Good to know. Thank you!
  9. Did anyone get a follow-up email nominating them for the University ("Associate") fellowship? Apparently the school can sponsor you instead of an employer. I tried asking some of the programs I'd been accepted to, and none of them participate even though they're listed as participating on the GEM website. Do any schools do this? Which ones?
  10. Same here Honestly shocked considering they took 2/3 people my employer interviewed. I had exactly the appropriate background. I almost think it was personal-- maybe the people who interviewed me thought I was a know it all. Oh well. I'll wait for NSF and I got some internal funding from some of my programs. Good luck to everyone else!
  11. Hi Jose, I followed up with my point of contact and they gave me a cryptic message, saying whether I find myself working with them or not they wish me the best. Basically a sugar coated "we haven't decided yet". I'll update this thread if I hear things!
  12. Has anyone heard anything since national interview day February 12th? We were supposed to be notified of full sponsorship by March 1st. I still have a good feeling about my interview so I'm genuinely confused. Still no change in the online system. Is it a little bit less organized this year compared to past cycles?
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