Help narrowing down ChemE PhD Application List needed!

[bleuOranges]

I feel as if I'm a fringe candidate between a top-tier/mid-tier graduate program, and it's causing me some stress as to who I should apply too. I have a list of 14, and I would like some opinion to try to trim it to 10.

Stats: Undergrad School: Top-10 undergrad program in my major

GPA: 3.52/4 (3.42 Major GPA, it started off a bit rough, but my senior level classes have all been A's). This is my biggest point of concern. I feel like this completely eliminates me from top-tier school consideration

GRE: 167 Quant (94% Perc), 163 Verbal (92% Perc), 5.0 Analytical (93% Perc). I feel like this helps offset the GPA a little, but again, applicants to the top-tier will have better scores than this.

Research Experience: 0 publications. Can't do really much at this point. But I have worked in 3 separate lab groups (all of which were different topics) and conducted different types of work in each one. One research project I'm working on now though (organic semiconductors for FETs) is related to my desired field for graduate school (photovoltaics). I think the big issue here is that I have the variety in research, but I don't have the depth (in terms of publications, conferences, etc.)

EC: I had one industry internship as a process engineer (nothing related to what I'm interested in though). And I'm currently serving as a Physics TA (I'm wondering if I should put this in my SoP). Then some other irrelevant EC's.

Recommendations: Realistically, I think my recommendations will be good, but not I-will-vouch-for-him-even-if-he-had-a-2.0gpa good.

1) Professor I've known basically my entire undergraduate career. I did 2 semesters of research with her, and basically have consulted with her through this entire process. I expect she will give me a good one

2) Professor who I have recently begun to do research with, so the problem here is that the bonding time hasn't been as long. She's a fairly well-known figure in her field, and her specialty is similar to what I want to do, so I'm hoping the name recognition will be good for this one. I expect a decent recommendation.

3) Professor I've taken a class with and am currently working on a research project with. Not a real strong connection with him, so I'm only expecting a mediocre recommendation here at best.

Statement of purpose: I think it points out my research will and gives a good foundation for my interests and motivation for applying. I don't see it being the reason I wouldn't get into any school.

 

I'm interested in materials research: microelectronics and nanotech with applications in PV's and CO2 capture being at the top of my interests.

Here's my list so far:

Dream Schools (probably not happening but it's nice to dream big right? ): Caltech, Berkeley, MIT, Princeton

Mid Stretch (I feel like these will be a crapshoot): UT-Austin, Carnegie Mellon, UMinn, UMichigan, UC-Santa Barbara

Fits (relatively "safe" - though who knows what safe really is lol): Cornell, UC-Boulder, Northwestern, UChicago (IME), UPenn

 

Based on this, am I aiming too high? If you guys know any programs that might be more suited to me, please feel free to let me know. Also, please be candid. At this point, I'm looking for honest answers.

Sorry for the wall, any advice at all would terrific. Cheers

[Jbenrod]

It's a slow evening so I'll offer my thoughts...

 

RE your list of dream schools:  It's just not happening i.e. "No".  Spend your time and resources elsewhere.

 

RE your list of "Mid Stretch":   It's still not happening i.e. "NO" at  UMinn-TC, UT, UCSB.  (These three are still actually dream schools for all but the very top applicants.)  I don't know enough about the two others you listed.

 

RE your list of Fits or relatively safe:  Consider these more as your dream schools but they all are still good programs so if you like them apply.  Then add a couple more large state schools of your choosing depending on your location and area of interest.  e.g. U of Delaware, one or more of the UC's (perhaps UCI or UCSD), ASU, etc.

 

Good luck.

[ktk]

Don't see how UD is that different from UCSB, it's ranked top11 in chem eng.. Is there a big selectivity difference between the two? On topic, most schools at the top of your list won't consider people under a 3.8,basically the schools that above post said No' s for. But why not try if cost isn't a factor....

Edited November 20, 2014 by ktk

[starofdawn]

I think you have a few too many dream schools, I would apply to only 2. Add more schools to the crapshoot, since UT-Austin and UCSB are still top ranked for MatSci. Perhaps UC Davis, UCLA, Purdue, Rice.

[Jguo32]

wow, it all top 20!!

 

I had similar background but lower standardized score, and I am also applying CHE phD. I don't think the school will place more value on your GRE over your GPA. You may not have much advantage once you made above average of the applicants.

 

Good Luck!

[Lasserith]

Honestly apply to as many schools as you can. Ignore what the people say here about you can get in here can't get in there. You're gpa only gets you past the cut off as does GRE. It's all about the recs and SOP. Without knowing the content of those any estimation is probably meaningless. I would urge you to keep UChicago no matter what as I'm a huge fan of the program and of what is being done here. Feel free to PM with questions.

[cafe_au_lait]

What about Georgia Tech? Their deadline is not until February I believe.