grass

You're right ts10vsg. I was reading a program sheet, and most modules (10 units) required 2-3 assignments in addition to an exam. My question is how do these 2-3 assignments compare to the weekly American psets in terms of workload? Is an "assignment" the equivalent of several American psets condensed into one package? In general, does the UK program assign less mandatory homework, or does it end up being roughly the same? Thanks!

I heard courses in the UK are graded almost entirely on exams, with little or no mandatory homework. I went to a top 5 engineering US school for undergrad, and problem sets were the biggest waste of time. Sure I need to do problems on my own, but I hated getting bogged down by psets which seem more like busywork than learning. I'm wondering if the UK grad school is better in this regard? I know most UK programs also require thesis or project, but I'm fine with that since I'm doing real work. Thanks!!

I've 3.9 gpa from a top 5 school, majoring in math and minoring in stats. I can take all graduate stats classes my senior year. Too bad I didnt like the 2 REUs I've done. I bombed the 1st one (due to personal problems at the time) and did mediocre on the 2nd. So my LORs will be pretty bad.. No publications. No other experiences... What kind of biostats phd programs can I get into? mid tier, lower tier, none at all? I just want a good advisor with a direction matching my interest and enough funding to house/feed me. I don't care about school name or location ... I do think I can get a good LOR if I keep going with my 2nd REU. But its direction isnt really my interest so it'll be kind of a drag.. so i dont feel like doing that just so I can get into a better school.. tell me if im wrong here... im happy as long as im doing worthwhile research and i dont know if better ranked programs can make that much more likely? Thanks guys!

I just finished my sophomore year majoring in EE at a top 5 school. I want to get a phd involving systems modeling, probably EE signals/controls, maybe others as well. I need help deciding between 4 routes: 1) take my time and stick with EE. Problem is that I only like signals and really hate electronics and digital design, which will take up couple more quarters. After that life should be good. I'll graduate at same time as everyone else, and apply to grad school as senior. This takes the most effort but I feel I've the best shot at grad school and good funding. Plus I can explore more areas. 2A) be lazy and major in math (which I enjoy) and only minor in EE signals. Finish next fall (2 quarters early). apply to grad school as senior. This is a little faster and more enjoyable, but I'm worried that only minoring instead of majoring in EE will weaken my chances. Is this true? 2B) Same as above, but use next summer to finish by then. This way, I can apply to grad school this year as junior. I'll have even weaker stats, but I get to start my Phd a year earlier somewhere (probably not optimal place or funding). 3) be laziest and only major in math, graduate by end of next spring, and start my school's coterminal MS in EE. Do more research, and apply as a masters down the road. This is the fastest route, assuming I get to transfer my masters credits. I take the fewest undergrad classes, but I've also less opportunity to explore. I'll have more research, but the bar is higher for masters applicants, and it may be even harder to get into a top school. Is this true? What should I do? I feel I'm trying to optimize my life w/ all these shortcut paths that may or may not work. Maybe I should just enjoy life as it goes by instead of rushing ahead in my career... Sorry for the long post. Thank you all.