Fall2016-PhD Evaluation profile for Material Science and Engineering

[Donrad]

Dear all, 

I'm about to apply to PhD positions in USA. Currently I'm MSc student in Chemistry department at University of Massachusetts. Please let me know your comments on my profile and my chance of acceptance in the listed universities.

My profile:
-------------------------------------------

Branch: MSE
Field of Interest: Material Science, Biomaterials, 

Master Institutes:    University of Massachusetts (MSc in Chemistry-GPA: 3.5/4.00), Sharif University of Tech ( MSc in MSE-GPA: 3.6/4.00)

Bachelor Institute: Tabriz University--Metallurgical Science (GPA: 3.4/4.00)
 

--------------------------------------------
GRE: 310 [ 150(verbal) + 160 (quant)] AWA -3.0
Toefl: 103
---------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------
Submitted or Accepted Publications: 3 papers published (two first author) average IF=~8 and one US Patent

---------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------
Recommendations:
Any three of these 
1) Professor (Strong)
2)Assistant Professor, Stanford University (Strong)
3) Assistant Professor, University of Mass (very Strong)

--------------------------------------------------------
Shortlisted Universities

1. MIT
2. Harvard
3. Carnegie Univ.
4. Cornell Univ.
5. Upenn
6. Boston
7. Northeastern

 

Many thanks

[ShadowFairy]

First and foremost, retake the GRE; even though you might not be an English native speaker, there is still a benchmark for applicants to achieve in terms of standardized testing for some of the schools you're applying to. With your recommendations, a strong SOP, and if your papers contribute well to a specific issue in your field, I'd say you have a decent chance to make it into your list.

[Donrad]

Appreciated RideTheLightening469. I will retak it. But there's something else that's kinda bothering me. I was admitted in UMASS as PhD student, but my PI couldn't get his tenure. Will this negatively affect my application? I'm gonna explain everything honestly that with this happened I deem to use this opportunity to apply to other programs. 

[ShadowFairy]

Appreciated RideTheLightening469. I will retak it. But there's something else that's kinda bothering me. I was admitted in UMASS as PhD student, but my PI couldn't get his tenure. Will this negatively affect my application? I'm gonna explain everything honestly that with this happened I deem to use this opportunity to apply to other programs. 

I don't think so, your professor not getting tenure means that his track record didn't meet the standards for that particular institution over the course of his (seven?) years on probational period. Since you're currently only a Master's student, I would suggest to writing your SOP in the most pragmatic manner as possible - your SOP focuses on your research and future career goals, after all. If your PI's tenure dismissal didn't affect your grades/research aside from leaving you advisor-less, no need to mention it unless otherwise, am I right?

[Donrad]

I don't think so, your professor not getting tenure means that his track record didn't meet the standards for that particular institution over the course of his (seven?) years on probational period. Since you're currently only a Master's student, I would suggest to writing your SOP in the most pragmatic manner as possible - your SOP focuses on your research and future career goals, after all. If your PI's tenure dismissal didn't affect your grades/research aside from leaving you advisor-less, no need to mention it unless otherwise, am I right?

Not only it hasn't affect my research but also I could manage to file a U.S. PATENT and submit a manuscript. What I'm worried about is that the admission committee will ask why I didn't stay at UMASS and I have decided to apply? 

[ShadowFairy]

Not only it hasn't affect my research but also I could manage to file a U.S. PATENT and submit a manuscript. What I'm worried about is that the admission committee will ask why I didn't stay at UMASS and I have decided to apply? 

The bolded is an entirely separate matter of which the main cause was beyond your power and actually had very little if anything to do at all with your standing (based on what you told us). In fact, I'm pretty sure you can also come up with more compelling reasons other than 'my advisor was rejected from tenure'! 'I needed a change in environment because I initially thought this would be good for me.' 'Your program struck me as the exact perfect fit and I could not pass up the opportunity to try and apply.' You can briefly say why you decided to apply to XXX, because your advisor was rejected tenure but don't expand it beyond that. Professors understand it happens, so a couple of sentences should suffice. Mention it in a separate essay or another response survey or even when they decide to contact you about it, but your SOP should not be the place where you want to explain yourself. 

Edited September 9, 2015 by RideTheLightning469

[Donrad]

The bolded is an entirely separate matter of which the main cause was beyond your power and actually had very little if anything to do at all with your standing (based on what you told us). In fact, I'm pretty sure you can also come up with more compelling reasons other than 'my advisor was rejected from tenure'! 'I needed a change in environment because I initially thought this would be good for me.' 'Your program struck me as the exact perfect fit and I could not pass up the opportunity to try and apply.' You can briefly say why you decided to apply to XXX, because your advisor was rejected tenure but don't expand it beyond that. Professors understand it happens, so a couple of sentences should suffice. Mention it in a separate essay or another response survey or even when they decide to contact you about it, but your SOP should not be the place where you want to explain yourself. 

thank you so much. 

[ShadowFairy]

thank you so much. 

No problem! Glad to be of help!