Souri_RS

Thank you for your suggestions about GRE subject. It is not a hard task to get best score in GRE physics, Fundamentals of Physics written by Haliday is strongly recommended and covers most of the topics. I plan to take this exam, if I wont succeed this year. I've just heard from a student that my POI at University of Houston is looking for financial support for me. anixous ... --- It seems two students have just admitted for PhD in atmospheric science at UMD. Congratulations!

I am living a limbo of decisions and I am thinking why some of my friends with less shining credentials can easily get admission! By reading so many application results, I can't find a uniform set of admission criteria. Some faculty look closely at research experience,reference letters and scientific papers, while others focus their attention on GRE and average undergraduate GPA! One of the most illuminating facts admission results have shown to me is that "fitting" can make everything all right in the end! If you indeed find some professors who really match your interests, a rare match that every professor is waiting for, then the professor will run through the essential exception paperwork that will guarantee your admission. ---- Has anyone here approved the fact that "GRE subject" (which is not mandatory for many programs) can largely affect admission committee's decision?

The main problem with atmospheric science is that it tends to cover many subjects extensively, while the vast majority of engineering majors focuses their attention on specific subjects. You barely can find these messages in non-atmospheric science departments: "the department requires a Bachelors or higher degree in meteorology, oceanography, physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, engineering or other program with suitable emphasis in the sciences." or " We welcome applications from those with no background in atmospheric sciences. " or "Atmospheric science students come from a variety of backgrounds including mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering, as well as traditional meteorology." or “The department recommends that interested students obtain an undergraduate degree in physics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, meteorology, or one of the physical sciences.” Well, that is not a sad story; it means they have a broad spectrum of researches supervised by very dedicated professors having knowledge of this vast area. BUT, when they come to choose whether students are eligible for their program, do they know about the details of their courses? Do they know someone who passed at least four photogrammetry courses, has a great knowledge of linear algebra? Do they know how hard mathematical engineering is? Is my expectation too high? Two days after I noticed my documents had been forwarded to the department, I got a rejection. I am sure they did not carefully read my transcripts. I’ve just heard from a student in UH that my POI is looking for the financial support for me. I hope everything goes well with your applications and mine! Amir

Let me show the most related courses to physics and math that I passed: In Bsc: Calculus I, II, Physics I,II and their lab, Differential Equation, EDM (electromagnetic distance measurement), theory of errors, Differential geometry, adjustment and test, Engineering mathmetics (PDE!) and physical geodesy. In Msc: Approximation theory and time series (Fourier,wavelet), microwave systems and physics of remote sensing. --- I am reading some books like Atmospheric physics and chemistry by John Seinfeld and fundamental of atmospheric modeling by Jacobson and actually I do not have difficulty with understanding them. Maybe atmospheric scientists (or generally people of science colleges) are reluctant to see an engineer in their department?! --- Yes CC2014, Houston is also a safe choice that's why the POI told me to apply for even this Spring semester! I am really depressed that the most relevant programs related to Remote sensing are in Geography departments. You cannot imagine how much hard is for me to study in geography program because there is no strong connection between them. I found only Germany, Canada and Netherlands that thoroughly work on remote sensing field. --- Thank you any way

Thank you for your support Well, most recent developments in atmospheric science are supported by the available remotely sensed measurements. The role of someone who is familiar with signal/image processing, atmospheric artifacts estimation and physics of electromagnetic radiations can’t be ignored. Many of the scientific papers in Journal of Climate, Bulletin of American meteorological society, Journal of atmospheric and oceanic technology and so forth are purely in the field of remote sensing.I cannot find any placard which "No country for old Engineers" is written on, in atmosphere departments. However, it is undeniable that physicists, mathematicians or chemists have greater chance for this field.

Which program did you apply for? I contacted with the graduate coordinator and she replied that The Graduate Committee are reviewing but no decisions have been made. ---- I got the first rejection from the worst and safest choice: Huntsville Alabama- PhD in atmospheric science. Very soon after the reception of documents; the department chair has noted that I lack Math and Physics background. It is too strange for me, since I passed many courses related to both of them. I also passed the prerequisite courses mentioned on their website. What did they expect from an engineer? having knowledge of quantum mechanics? It would have been lesser insulting, if he had told me that I lack strong math and physics background!

I've applied for the Maryland. I've not been given any answer yet. Oh admission, where art thou?

It seems tough, but you should just use available models working in Linux interface (such as CMAQ and SMOKE),use some external meteorological models (NCEP,ECMWF etc) and finally calibrate, modify and adjust them using satellite/ground based data. No one expects you to propose a new model! If my future supervisor asked me to do it, I also would prefer to hug white bears and drill ice cores (from the surface to Earth core by bare hands!) . I am sure you will get the best result... Great! The atmosphere of this forum is increasingly becoming more atmospheric! Let me just talk about my choices: Maryland-College Park: The main reason that I am applying for is not the reputation of this eminent school, many research centers such as NOAA work there; so it is an utmost privilege to go there . The person that I got a "encourage to apply" has a great remote sensing background who is Prof. Li : http://www.atmos.umd.edu/~zli/ . An e ditor of JGR, cloud/dust/particles are his interests. He has many students but I think he preferably chooses Chinese people :| I am not aware of the exact students but I am sure it is available on the department website. Colorado State: a great city with some of the advocates in atmospheric remote sensing. It has a broad spectrum of research areas. Let me copy/paste what graduate coordinator said: "We generally admit 20-25 new students each fall into our graduate program. Admissions are competitive. We normally receive 130-140 applications for the 20-25 openings. We also generally only admit students when we can offer financial assistance in the form of a graduate research assistantship." Therefore the admission process is "rolling". Who did not manage to get a supervisor (with funding) wont go there. If you take a glance over other departments, you will definitly see that many well-known professor graduated from this department. See researches : http://atmos.colostate.edu/dept/research.php In case of atmospheric remote sensing, Prof. Kumerov is almost the father of TRMM! ---- Regarding that most of folks here are native and have a strong CV, I wont talk about Alabama, Houston and Michigan Tech, since you have more chances for top schools. ---- Another thing that I forgot to say is University of Wyoming, it is the safest option, you can also find your future thesis title! here: "http://www.uwyo.edu/atsc/phd%20opportunities/index.html But I heard it is located in rural place and you will become depressed and dragged down.

Hi ssynny, I am also applying for PhD in atmospheric science especially atmospheric chemistry modeling (such as CMAQ model) with remote sensing background! I hope you get admission from both Boulder and UW (is it Washington or Wisconsin?); I know that Prof. Ackerman is a profound master in aerosol/dust field in Wisconsin-Madison. Boulder is also awesome, a good place to pursuit your education in national center of atmospheric research. Why didn't you apply for Colorado State school? The faculty's interests also are in line with yours. Good luck!

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Thank you; yes Colorado is the state of atmospheric science When I took a glance over previous admitted students, most of them were native and come from MIT, Berkeley, A&M...The only international person was a diligent Chinese man; who dares to confront with these students?

Dear GeoDUDE! Thank you very much for taking your time to give me your opinion. This Michigan is not what you are thinking..We have Michigan Ann Arbor and Michigan state that come first in Usnews ranking...Since they are looking for very high GRE test score, there seems waste of time and money to apply for them...Michigan Tech is just a good school located in Houghton.. Actually, I put a great of effort to find the most relevant professors....I am not the fan of rank-based-decision...Besides, I know that my GRE is a limiting factor; therefore I chose the schools more reasonably. I am detecting that many of users here are native, so it is an utmost privilege to get your toughts for the schools... Do you have some information about University of Houston and Hunstsville-Alabama? Dear Geologizier Yes, I understand..Colorado Boulder is the best place in atmospheric science field; however I could not provide my application by deadline... Colorado State University: http://atmos.colostate.edu/ also specifically is a great department in this field and I have a low chance to get admitted... Whats about you; do you have some information about University of Houston and Huntsville-alabama schools and city? Regarding some contacts with professors, it is very likely to get TA/RA from these schools... It is not a straightforward task for international students to leave so many things behind (family, gf, car, friends and so forth) Do the schools that I am applying for really interest me sufficiently that I want to be spending 5-6 years working in it??

First of all, I should really express my apperciation for creating this topic. I would be thankful if other people (especially experienced ones) could let me know whether I have a chance to get admission from the schools I am applying for: Undergrad and Gradute Institution: University of Tehran (Best in Iran; who cares?) Major_Under(s): Surveying and Geomatics Eng GPA in Major: 3.28 Major_Gradute: Remote sensing GPA in Major: 4 Position in Class: 7 in 40, I guess! Type of Student: International-Male TOEFL score: 104 (R:27 L:25 S:24 W:28) GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 169 V: 146 (ouch!) W: 3.0 Research Experience: 2 ISC papers under review process; two SCOPUS published; 8 international conferences and 3 mediocre journals! My thesis was related to water vapor modeling and atmospheric corrections on InSAR technique. My research interests are: Cloud/aerosol detection and their properties, GPS and radio meteorology, atmospheric sounding, signal/image processing, time series modeling, ray tracing, artificial intelligence in remote sensing. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA both in courses and teaching relevant software. I'm applying to PhD programs Applying to Where: University of Maryland: Atmospheric and Oceanic program University of Colorado State: Atmospheric science University of Michigan Tech: Atmosheric science University of Houston: Atmospheric science University of Huntsville-Alabama: Atmospheric science Whats your opinion about my application?