ChemPhysMatSci

All, What does the timeframe look like for accepting PhD program offers? I remember with REUs, one was expected to accept within a week to a few weeks after one received word of acceptance, though college acceptances were more or less universally due by about the beginning of May. How does this work for graduate schools? I have received a letter that suggests responding to an offer remarkably early, though it's phrased in a way that may suggest it is merely their hope that I would respond by that early time. What are your thoughts? I am somewhat sure that there is little procedural difference between the engineering fields in this regard.

Do you recommend any faculty? Or avoiding any faculty?

Undergrad Institution: Liberal Arts Major(s): Physics, Chemistry GPA in Major: 3.80 + Overall GPA: 3.80 + Length of Degree: 4 years Position in Class: Top 5%, though unreported Type of Student: Domestic GRE Scores: Q: 80% + V: 80% + W: 80% + Research Experience: 2+ years, including an REU. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List and some awared nominations Applying for PhD at: MSE Ph.D. North Carolina State University, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Arizona State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, The University of Florida, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, The University of Maryland, Vanderbilt University, The University of Michigan at Ann-Arbor, Purdue University

What's wrong with their courses? I am interested in nanoscience and electronic materials. Are there faculty you would recommend looking into or avoiding? You can PM me them if you wish. It's possible I could work with faculty in other engineering areas. Who'd you recommend in electronics and nanoscience? I like devices. And photovoltaics.

Do you know any of the faculty? Express interest in person to a professor you know and like, and they can generally direct you or refer you.

I didn't mean recommendation in the classic sense , I meant it more in the referal sense! I'll let you know if I think I need the edge. Thanks for the offer!

Apply to a few 10 to 20s, and maybe one 30+. 2 REUs and research at Yale during the semester should mitigate not having publications.

I don't claim expertise in the admissions process, but I'd guess you'd get an MS spot in at least 1 of the schools in that spread with a solid statement and decent recommendations.

I've lurked long enough; now I'll bite (list seems shorter than I've seen in years past, and I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing). UG - Liberal Arts College Fields - physics and chemistry GPA - 3.8+ GRE - 80%+ / 80%+ / 80%+ Recommendations - three Publications - yes Schools - 12 total including Texas A&M, UIUC, Georgia Tech, NCSU, and Penn. State.

What are you majoring at there? What about your friend? Do they enjoy it? Would they recommend it? I don't exactly know why a recommendation would mean much since your friend doesn't actually know me. I have actually already applied to the Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D. program at ASU.