skyentist

As an American student I find a lot of other americans complain a lot. I catch myself complaining as well sometimes, but then I just think at least its not Pyongyang University in North Korea. Although it probably be cheaper! Note: No offense to any students in Pyongyang University (if it exists).

I got $24k a year in the middle of nowhere illinois, I think thats equivalent $100k in NYC. Ill be leaving like a balla... in my farm house.

Ahh yes of course. But its somewhat anonymous on the results page so I don't get the big deal, but I guess I am pretty open about stats (I have average to below average stats). My point about good stats was that they have good stats, but so many rejections and it makes me worry like crazy! But from others posts it sounds like it is way more competitive for international students. Reading the title it does seem a little misleading... But I don't really care who applies to grad school! I got in to one of my top choices so I can't complain. Seeing all the internationals makes me feel good about the US's research/education as well, so I take it as a good thing.

I am just curious about whats the limit to funding (including outside grants)? Could any PhD student make over 100k a year from only fellowships and RA's/TA's and the like?

I have noticed (from checking results page every 5 mins) that it is dominated by international students, and most of them have really good stats. Do you think this accurately reflects the amount of internationals applying to grad school as compared to domestic students? Or is it just that that gradcafe is more popular among international applicants.

I feel the same way. I have this impending doom feeling about going to grad school...

No I am still waiting as well. I have one admit so its not as bad. I think UT Austin is my number one choice also right now followed by UCSB and UIUC as tied for number 2. Is UCSB your number 1 choice? Have you been admitted/rejected anywhere yet? If so I hope you get in! Unfortunately, from previous year results page it does not look good for us But let us keep our hopes up because it is not over until we get our admission decision!

Not Princeton. Maybe CMU. Definitely UIUC because not only is paid for but they are paying you! Stanford and Berkeley are over rated and anyone in the tech field will know how good UIUC or CMU are. People outside will only be impressed by Stanford, Berkeley, Princeton. But they won't be hiring you. And it is not even guaranteed that you will get in. Just my two cents. Never pay for grad school.

Hi all, I wrote about a few profs in my SOP. One of them really wants to work with me (or seems to be interested in me joining their group), however his work is not as interesting to me as two other professors. How should I tell him I am not interested? I don't want to offend him because I will be seeing him a lot for the next few years, and he is a really cool guy. Thanks!

Seattle is awesome city also. UW all the way!

From your post and comments, I would hate to work with you. So I am guessing most PI's would hate to work with you. That's why you got rejected. You seem arrogant, ignorant, egotistical, borderline psychopathic, and childish. Take a few years off and grow up a little bit and re apply.

Both will have excellent opportunities after you graduate. You need to visit both schools and see what city and campus you like more, what has better financial aid (or cheaper), and if your doing research what professors you like more. Personally, I would choose Austin because I like the vibe more than SD and the UC's are running out of money.

B. Always choose the more ambitious and enthusiastic professor over the more "famous" one.

This was a good rejection from MIT: Very surprised...

Go to Berkeley. Better weather and surrounding area and Princeton is over-rated. But that is just my honest opinion. I would say visit both and go where you find most comfortable.

I got an email last night rejecting me from a safety school, and I was still really bummed. Even though I got accepted to my third choice already. Seeing my notification saying UCSD admission decision really got my blood pumping! Then opened it and was totally crushed for no reason..

NanoTech brings up a good point. However, Princeton or Harvard are harder to get into because of their name and prestige regardless of what program or upbringing or knowledge you have. Pretty much everyone will know what Harvard is, but not very many will know UIUC, even though UIUC is better engineering program than Harvard. Since UIUC is not "famous" less people apply. I know a few people who applied to harvard material science just because of prestige of attending Harvard. They had good grades, GREs, LORs etc. Thats just people I know so think about how many people with decent to exceptional stats are applying to those big name schools and that is why they are harder to get into. Just a larger pool of applicants with good stats (but probably not good enough for Harvard). The point is you shouldn't go somewhere just to get to say "I went to Harvard" because if thats the case you probably didn't get much out of it except connections. Go somewhere that is the best fit for you and will give you the best opportunities, education and overall happiness.

I personally would NOT pay for a PhD. Unless the German uni is 100 places lower than the UK one I would go to germany. (And that is a big if) Or you could reapply to other universities next year and just save money until then. Also, you could look into scholarships and external fellowships to pay for the tuition at Sussex. Also, where would you be more happy at? Thats a big deciding factor for me.

Thanks for the reply! I am interested in low power circuits and large scale integration and MEMs, specifically in fabricating and characterizing new smaller, faster, more efficient devices. I know a good amount of high level programming languages like Python, FORTRAN, some java and perl and some only a little bit of C and assembly language. I have taken taken a couple undergraduate CE courses and really enjoyed them. I guess my main concern was that it would either look bad to companies or make me surpass the "overqualified line". But probably it would be a bit much to do both at the same time. Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated.

I am planning on getting a PhD in material science and engineering (MSE) and it has an option for an masters in MSE. However, I would really rather get some knowledge of computer engineering as well to bring to the table when getting a job in industry. Do you think this is would boost my "worth" or be detrimental (in terms of getting jobs)? I am interested in device fabrication and VLSI. Thank you!

Why did you apply to it if you don't know anything about its EE program? Anyway you made a good choice Its ranked as the 5th best engineering program and (3rd best EE program) in the country according to US News: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/electrical-engineering-rankings The national research council (NRC) ranks it as 3rd as well: http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area23.html So you got into a very very prestigious program! Congratulations!!!! Not sure about rigor though.

I had one a few weeks ago. I would just say make sure you are in a place that you won't get interrupted, and that you have a good connection. You don't need to wear a suit and tie. How many grad students wear super nice clothes everyday? I thinks it mainly to get a feel for you and your personality. They wanna make sure you are not buffalo bill or something. Make sure you know the PI's research and maybe some of the personal things they have promoted/shared via website or other media. Keypoints: Be genuine and friendly and somewhat knowledgeable of the PI's work.

I agree. I just want to know now. But just accept it that you are rejected. Its final... However, one day when you least expect it there is a very very tiny chance you might get in. But so tiny its best to just accept that you are rejected. Goodluck! I am in the same boat you are in and hate it! Its really unbearable.

Hi! This is my first post and UCSB is my dream school. I saw in the admission pages for the last couple years all the admissions came in the beginning of January and rejections came end of March. Is this true? Anybody get accepted to UCSB materials (or ECE or ChemE) after January 16th in the previous years? I have essentially stopped my life to lurk the forums and check my emails 24/7 and its killing me!!! Help me!!! Thanks for the feedback.