[UIUC ECE vs UCLA CS]

I have got admits from UIUC ECE and UCLA CS for phd both with aid. My research focus at UIUC will be CAD and the other will be computer architecture. I didn't manage to visit them as I am from China.

 

Could you guy help deliberate which one is a better choice, considering the research focus, school and city?

 

For a PhD, both are similar in reputation. You should decide based on who has been assigned as your advisor (or has agreed to take you as a student) at both places in my opinion as you have been offered aid. You should see who is a better research fit for you.

 

I think the city and all other things are secondary and you should look at these only if you have a tie in deciding between advisors.

[Poll to see what people are using to make their decision]

For me, the most important two things would be: fit with PI and him agreeing to work with me, and getting funding (I can not join a program without being funded.). I was surprised to see so many people voting for 'Pretty Good Research fit with several PIs'. I personally do not see why that matters, because in the end I would be working with one PI and this decision is taken prior to joining in most places for the doctoral program (except in places like MIT i think).

[Corresponding with professors]

Now let me ask you all this:

 

My POIs from the two schools I'm considering right now have both suggested we have a phone conversation before I visit the campus. The visits will take place in the next 2-4 weeks.

What are some things that I should ask/talk about during these phone calls that can help me be more productive during my visits?

 

To go along with Devil7, one of these POIs initiated this phone call idea, then hasn't replied to my almost immediate response in over 2 months... wtf? I can understand holidays/busy times, but let's get real... I followed up from my original reply 5 weeks after he suggested the phone call (Dec. 7), and it's been another 3 weeks since that time. I want to believe that once accepted, it is us as the students who have the power, since the schools should be trying to get us to accept their offer, but this guy sure is making it tough. I don't want to come across as needy or demanding, but this is really doing a number on me.

 

Thanks for the wisdom!

 

The main thing you would ask professors is about their research vision in for the next few years. From there, my advice would be to play it by ear. Some professors are more open and you can talk to them about their style of research, the average time it takes for a student Ph.D. under them, how much freedom they give their students while picking the research problem, etc, while others may not be so open.

 

However it would always be beneficial to talk to one or more of their students prior to the phone conversation with the professor (It'd help if you knew someone in the department and asked him/her to get information from the professor's students or introduce you to one of the professor's student. A student would hesitate (I sure would) reveal information (especially negative information) about their advisor to a stranger.).

 

About your second question, I am in the same boat as you . However, I would disagree with you when you say that after getting accepted, the student has an advantage over the PoI. If a large number of incoming students want to work with a professor, he would want to be very selective. Thus, even though the college may want you to join, the professor still has all aces up his sleeve.

 

BTW, in my case, I had contacted the PoI first and expressed interest in working with him, and he had suggested a Skype call. Thus, it is not like he contacted me. I'm not sure what to make of his response. The best option is perhaps to wait for a few more days.

 

Disclaimer: I have only had a phone conversation with a PoI, who was open and very nice. These are just my two pence.

 

[Corresponding with professors]

Have you heard from the professor as yet? Oftentimes, the POI are quite busy and it wouldn't be wise to present yourself as aggressive when it's someone you may be eager to speak with. Give the professor a few more days, then send a followup email. Make that email more of a followup, rather than a "why haven't I heard from you" email. Basically, write the email as if you had actually heard back from him/her and wanted to know which date and time was more suitable. You could even present a date/time that you are available (obviously not in the next few days) and ask them if they may be available.

 

Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes.

 

No, unfortunately I have not heard back from him. I am thinking of waiting until the end of this week and then write a follow-up. 

Thank you for the advice. I was quite worried about how to write a follow up. I mean I do not want to sound arrogant but still want to know if he wants to work with me or not. I guess, writing the follow up like you said would be a nice way out (unless he writes to me, of course).

[Corresponding with professors]

Thanks a lot. I guess, I'll wait for a few more days and then send him a polite follow up.

[Corresponding with professors]

Hi all,

 

I received an admit from my top choice (a top 5 US university) with RAship. I wrote to my PoI expressing interest in working with him. He replied within an hour saying that we should talk. I followed up asking for suitable slots. However he has not replied. It has been 4-5 days since I sent him the email. Is this a polite way of saying that he is not interested in working with me or is this quite common among professors?

 

Thank you. I would appreciate any thoughts/advice about this.

[Updated Engineering Rankings]

Hi,

 

How much indicative of the quality of the program are these ranking? For example for communications, UIUC/UCB are ranked 3 and MIT/Stanford are ranked 1. How much better does this mean MIT's program is when compared to UIUC?

 

Thanks.

[Contacting Prof. under whom I've been offered RAship]

Hi guys,

Need some advice. I've been offered an admit in my #2 choice school, with an RAship under my preferred advisor (as notified to me by the graduate school). I am yet to hear from my #1 school. Should I write to the Prof. I've been offered RAship under. I wanted to know what the protocol is here. 

 

(The prof had interviewed me once.)