8Phant0m8

Yes. I am most likely staying in the Aerospace for my PhD even though the research is related more on material corrosion. On the upside I am thinking about steering this research towards jet engine applications (if the funding agency allows) where I have industry experience in. This MS program is thesis optional but the professor wants me to do thesis since he's funding me so he wants to focus on it. So I am definitely be doing thesis and most likely carry this towards dissertation. You're right that I still have a lot of choices since even if I found out later that I don't want to do it, I can always switch to different topic for my dissertation. Thank you for the advice.

I think I should proceed assuming that I do not have a GRA with priority professor. This is exact quote from his email "I do not currently have any open positions in my lab. If you do end up coming to XXX, I’m happy to talk with you about your interests, but I will not have any new openings until next year."

Thanks for the great responses. I really appreciate it. I thought that switching GRAs is not a big deal but I contacted the program admin and apparently they don't encourage students to take on a project that they are prepared to abandon once you have better things to do. Students often switch because they no longer are interested in the research and that is a legitimate reason. I do have a lot to think about. His research is very interesting to me but I would be lying if I definitely want to pursue this for my Ph.D. May be because I'm a little bit alienated to his field. I only took one course in undergraduate related to it. Also, I just heard back from my top priority professor and he's saying if I decided to come, he would like to talk to me. He just doesn't have any GRA opening until next year. Does that rule out what TakeruK pointed out: professors tend to give priority to incoming students? If that professor is serious about it, I think I have a very good chance next year.

I am starting my MS in Aerospace engineering in Fall 2015. I was contacted by a professor from another engineering discipline but its under the same department as Aerospace. He needs help with his research and he can offer me half-tuition coverage. Problem is he's the only one who can provide me funding right now. But anything can change once I get to know other professors in my major. Who knows what happens next but mean time I don't have money and I need this assistantship. Can he restrict what I take and not take for my classes? Can I switch to another GRA in the future? Any other bad things that can restrict my future opportunity in pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering by accepting this assistantship? Thanks!

I recently got accepted for MS in Aero/Astronautical Engineering for Fall 2015. I didn't hear anything about funding so far. How difficult is it to get assistantships? The school is very big and department has a lot of research funding. Should I contact individual faculty or the department admin? What do they look at students in appointing for assistantships? They look at GRE/GPA/previous relevent experience? I did have a good research experience but not related to Aerospace. But I currently work for an Aviation company. Its not research but does it count? If I don't get assistantship for first semester, is there a good chance that I'll get one later if I perform well? I also have an option to do part time Master's through my current employer but I won't be in research field. I am crazy about going back to research since I finished undergrad. Sorry I got a lot of questions but any opinions would be helpful. Thanks!

I just got admission acceptance email to MS Aero/Astro Eng. It asked me to go to website and accept/decline and pay tuition deposit and send official transcript. I don't know what to do. I'm weighing my options right now and if I don't get funding at least half, I may not attend. Do I have to accept and pay deposit now? Should I call the department and ask for any opportunity or individual professors who are seeking assistantships? Thanks

OSU Aerospace does not specify any minimum GRE score requirement. However, I would lean towards schools using GRE cutoff scores as initial screening. I'm guessing they decide the cutoff from the average of the incoming applicant pool and thats probably why there is no cutoff scores listed on most program websites. All these programs don't have any set minimum GRE scores. That worries me more than anything for my applications. Haha.

Thanks for your feedback <ian>. I hope to get pass the initial screenings, especially OSU since their Q average is around 163-164. I don't know their GRE cut offs though. Do you think my above average GPA can make up for my low GRE scores?

I recently took GRE for the 2nd time and my score is 158Q 150V 3.5AWA. I'm not a native English speaker but finished undergrad in the US so I don't need TOEFL. But my question is my GRE scores too low; especially quantitative since average is around 162Q? Here's a list of school I'm applying for M.S with thesis option: Ohio State University - Aero/Astronautical Engineering Illinois Institute of Tech - Aero/Astronautical Engineering University of New Hampshire - Mechanical Engineering Boston University - Mechanical Engineering Northeastern University - Mechanical Engineering I graduated from a regional engineering school (not ranked) and I have good academic record with 3.64 GPA and 3.88 Major GPA. One undergrad research project with a highly recognized hospital. Had internships with good companies and currently working at a world renowned aviation business (~2 years). One LOR from Dean of Engineering who oversaw our research project and 2 are from related field. I think my other parts of my application is in good shape but I'm really worried about my GRE scores. Do I have a chance in applying to these schools?