crimsonengineer87

It sounds like you've maybe graduated, which is why you say you're embarrassed. But in any case, I agree with the above posts. If YOU think your professors will get offended by a monetary gift, a thank you card will be fine. I, personally, had the same three professors write me about 10+ letters (of course, they use the same one after getting the first) each for different things. I really enjoyed these professors in-class and as people. So I got them cards and a $10-15 gift card to a coffee shop. Actually, I gave another one a canister of cookies, because I know she likes things like that and another a bag of candy. All three emailed me and said they were thoughtful and thanked me. I think it just depends on you, as well. If you have the money and want to, go ahead. But I think a thank you letter/card is necessary. Gifts, not so much.

top heavy

getting ready

So I've just graduate with my B.S. in civil engineering from Washington State University. I applied to and was accepted into all of my grad schools, which included Berkeley and Illinois, but decided to stay at WSU because of funding issues. The basic question I have is: what do people think about a BS, MS, and PHD from the same institution? I have a few comments: 1. I don't want to be a professor. I want to work for a government agency, such as the EPA, with my PhD. I've heard from a few professors that it won't matter that I got three degrees from the same place, but rather my letters of rec, what project I worked on, and who I worked with. 2. If I stay at WSU, then I will probably finish in 4 years with a PhD, as opposed to doing 2 full years masters and then moving on somewhere and starting over and that being another 3-4 years. 3. At WSU, I am fully funded with a fellowship for the first year. They want me to apply for the NSF IGERT program that they have here at WSU, which would provide two years of funding (and my advisor basically said I'm a shoe in). So I'm really torn. The folks here at WSU say it doesn't matter, but I think they're biased. I've had a few contacts at Berkeley and they said to go somewhere else. I totally agree. If funding were available, I would. Going somewhere else allows you to develop new ideas. But will these three degrees essentially doom me to failure? Thanks.

That's what people say to me. I was so excited for UW, but this whole unknown funding thing freaks me out. However, I'm contemplating trying to do my masters at WSU within a year and then applying for other PhD programs. But I have a feeling it would be easier at UW doing my masters and PhD and just getting both at the same institution. I may just be scared of starting anew, and proving myself to be worth funding, which my contact said. But that is the reality. I will need to prove myself and I will. I'll find out more tomorrow about whether I can finish my masters at WSU in a year. I'll also call UW and ask more about how much per month I'd get and insurance. Thanks guys for the really good advice!

So I'm having a difficult time deciding where to get my Masters for Civil Engineering. I've had to stick with state schools because Berkeley, UIUC, and Davis couldn't provide funding. Here's the current situation: I'm a senior at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, Washington, which is in the middle of wheatfields in southeastern Washington near the Idaho border. There are two scenarios for my future: 1. Stay at WSU for another year or two and get my master's. I've been offered an RA position and wouldn't have to TA. In addition, they have definite sources of funding for a master's and PhD if I stay here. 2. Attend UW (University of Washington). In my mind, and a lot of other people's mind, UW is a better academic institution for research. However, they can only provide 2 quarters worth of funding for a TA position. So the last quarter would be a mystery. In addition, they have no idea what funding may come in the future. But I have issues with each one of the above two options: a. Isn't it frowned upon to receive your BS, MS, and PhD at the same academic institution? If it were Stanford, I think that'd be completely different. But WSU ... b. I've always played is safe, going where the money is, however, the opportunity to live in Seattle (where UW is located) and get out of Pullman (college town) is very exciting. But the thought of not knowing if there's funding is scary. c. Will it be more difficult to get a PhD once I've received my master's and BS from the same institution? I know this is a lot, but I've been grappling with this for about a week now and still can't decide. Wonder what you guys think! I'd appreciate your thoughts!

I knew there were other CEs on this forum somewhere ... Congrats for those who got accepted into UIUC! I haven't heard back from them, but I've basically erased them off my top two list. I got a departmental email and official email within the past week from Berkeley for environmental engineering. Their visitation weekend is the April 10th, a week before the "April 15th" deadline. So you should hear from them soon! What are people's thoughts on funding? Should we know about funding before April 15th? Is there less funding for master's students this year?

Hey guys, I have applied to a couple civil and environmental master's programs. I applied to UW, WSU, U Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, UC Davis, and UC Berkeley. I have only heard back from UC Davis and UW. My question is, when is the latest that departments will notify whether you have been rejected or accepted? Can they do that up to April 15th? I mean, I'm thinking I might be on some list, but can they just not tell you until ... May? I would really like to visit the campuses knowing I have been accepted so I don't waste my time. In addition, it'd be nice if they did have a visitation weekend. I know UIUC did, which makes me think I wasn't accepted. Anyways, your guys' opinion will really be helpful. Thanks. Julian