BMEapplicant

Thanks sabdo! Hopefully see you soon.

Hey sabdo, Thanks for confirming what I thought. It's actually good to know there are few scholarships for the MS, as I wasn't sure whether it was my own weakness or just the competitiveness of getting one. Do you mind telling me whether it was full or partial? Congratulations on having gotten one by the way - that's great! On the application, I told them I would be able to attend regardless of scholarship (in case it would increase my chances) and that I had also applied to my country's funding agency, but I sort of doubt that influences any decision. The course curriculum looks great and the professors look highly established. I have no reservations whatsoever. My only question is, specifically for BME MS students, what's it like finding a thesis supervisor? I recall they wanted names of profs I'm interested in on my application - I put down some names and I'm assuming my acceptance infers one of these people would like to supervise me, but of course I don't know for sure. I am reluctant to spam them so early. Also, to what extent can the degree be research-focused? And is it common for people to find their supervisor and start their thesis early, like in first or second semester? Oh, and what's the attitude there like with these fresh NIH/NSF cuts? Also, feel free to share any useful tips for succeeding there =p =D Thanks a lot!

Hey, I saw there were some people above who were direct MS applicants for BME. Got Duke MS 2x days ago and I am completely stoked since it was in my top 3 choices, and this is before I've heard from any other BME MS programs -- Duke was fast =D Just a few general questions in case you guys have done more research than me (and I am reluctant to bother profs directly). When you apply to these MS BME programs in the US, they typically do not interview unless they want to offer you money, is that correct? I am slightly worried that the professors who reviewed my application may not necessarily be interested in supervising me for my research. I am still waiting on JHU, UCSD, UCLA, Columbia, Cornell. But I think Duke's decision trumps all of these anyway, unless I get a scholarship (unlikely for MS, right?) I looked considerably at the areas I'm most interested in: imaging (med physics or algorithms for improving imaging, new modalities), cancer (anything and everything as far as imaging and robotic surgery) and electrophysio (devices, algorithms), and I've reviewed the profs, and I'm convinced Duke is the place to be as long as I'm open to any of these three. I am finding that UCSD is too focused on the molecular bio-side and JHU is too focused on cardio modelling and tissue engineering (again, too bio since my undergrad education was in EE). Did you guys arrive at different conclusions? Also: why did you guys decide to go for MS and not PhD? For me, I'd rather be closer to translation than academics, so I'm undecided and this was an excellent way to delay having to make the decision. Also, I consider the tuition to be a tiny cost in the grander scheme of career choice.