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eesj

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  1. If you're not applying to Stanford then I wouldn't report the grade.
  2. I have been working with a new PI (recent grad) for a couple of years and I am now thinking of switching advisors. My motivation to switch comes from the fact that up until now, it does not seem like there is a clear path to completing my Ph.D. Current advisor has had me work on 3 separate projects, all which have resulted in publications. I was first author of one and second on the others, but all were published in top tier conferences. If I do switch advisors, he will be tenured and very experienced. On top of this, he is very respected in the community of my area of research (more likely then not, if you've taken a class on this subject you would have used his text book). One thing to note is that although I have been working with my current PI for a couple years, I was only recently admitted to the Ph.D. program, so I am essentially considered a first year Ph.D. student. In regards to funding, I am on fellowship and also have external funding sources who fund my tuition and research so there is no issue here.
  3. Hi All, Looking for some advice/inputs on transferring to an EE Ph.D. Program. In particular looking to go to USC, UCLA, UC Davis, or UCB. Here is my current situation... I am at Stanford University and have candidacy with the EE department's Engineer's Degree program. I chose this route with the intentions of petitioning to take the Quals and enter the Ph.D. program. Unfortunately, Stanford changed their policy in transferring programs and I do not think petitioning remains option. I have been working very closely with an advisor at Stanford and my research has even been presented at seminars within the university . I was awarded multiple RA positions at the university to perform research, and have been offered another RA to continue my work. i.e. my advisor knows I really want to earn a Ph.D. I just see sticking around w/ the hopes of eventually getting into the Ph.D. program as highly uncertain and potentially a waste of time when I can possibly move to another university. My stats are: Stanford GPA: 3.85/4.0 (12 units of courses, 18 units of Ph.D. level research, one planned conference paper, two unrefereed publications within Stanford) MS EE GPA: 3.45/4.0 (not from Stanford) BS EE GPA: 3.16/4.0 (Overall), 3.32/4.0 (Major) GRE(Q/V/W): 720/410/4.5 --> I know this sucks Industry Experience (>5 years) Research Experience (>1.5 year @ Stanford) Will get good LOR from my current PI.
  4. eesj

    Fellowship vs RA

    Your advisor would probably suggest you take the Fellowship since he/she does not need to pay for you out of his own funding. Fellowships like NDSEG are also prestigious awards and help with receiving future funding. You can also continue working your current project if you receive the fellowship.
  5. I go to Stanford at the moment (and love the enviromnment they provide us), but my rankings would be: 1)MIT 2)Caltech 3)Stanford, UCB (I wanted to go to UCB, but Stanford is 20mins from where I live) 4)Harvard
  6. I took a similar route during my MSEE and was recently accepted into Stanford for the Ph.D. Unfortunately, I did not receive a fellowship from the university and I am going to keep working so I can have my company reimburse the tuition. I plan on doing this for the first year and then work part time (20HRs) once I get a fellowship... To answer your questions: 1. How many publications can you get through a normal MS thesis in electrical engineering? I did not publish, but you can probably get 1 pub. I did not publish my work, but instead filed U.S. Patent applications on my research. Patents are expensive but I would rather receive royalties versus publishing work. 2. Would a normal MS thesis be good enough, as far as research goes, to look good as a PhD applicant? Make sure your thesis research is on an interesting topic relevant to what you want to do in the Ph.D. Try to fabricate a device if possible. 3. What type of GPA (within the MS program only) do students looking for PhD program admission, have? I only had a UG 3.16/4.0 (3.32/4.0 major), MS 3.43/4.0. But I research in a known companies R&D group. You can have a 4.0 GPA but ZERO practical knowledge and professors realize this. They are more appreciative of those who know real world problems that need to be solved. 4. When do you apply for PhD program (like how long before finishing the MS)? I applied a year after my MS. Graduated in Dec 2010...applied/accepted in 2011. 5. When do people take the qualification exams? (From my research, some people say you need the qualification exams to get in...others say you take it a year or so into the PhD program...this has me quite confused lol) I am trying to take it a year after I start. The quals is a weeder process where you are essentially competing against your peers to get accepted into an advisors research group. The most important part of the quals (pass or fail) is to get an advisor. Even if you pass the quals it does not mean you will get an advisor. No advisor = no research = no dissertation. 6. Do they look at your undergrad GPA at all? Yes. This sort of shows your understanding of the fundamentals of EE. 7. What about GREs? (I am wondering about these last two questions because they were used to get into the MS program in the first place...so why would they even matter for PhD admission??...it feels as pointless as asking for your HS transcript and SAT scores for admission to the MS program) I honestly dont think they care. Just as long as you get over a 700Q. My scores were Q710/V410/4AW...so this almost says that I cant speak english. hope this helps.
  7. I did not get a TA, but the letter stated "Your interest match well with professor xyz and he will serve as your program advisor...please contact him with any questions regards to research programs or academic issues." I will most likely contact him in regards to my options in possibly receiving funding.
  8. So I received my admit email today for Stanford. Here is what I can now say about the admission process...Grades matter, you definitely do not need stellar GREs, you do need good LoRs and SoP. I feel I was admitted based on the fact I networked with professors at Stanford. If you have the opportunity to meet with one...do it. If you are able to schedule a meeting phone or in person, make it count. Send a well taylored CV, and prepare some "poster" style presentation detailing your accomplishments.
  9. I just got my admit letter to Stanford !
  10. I applied for winter 2012...two reasons 1) less competition at this time and 2) I applied as an HCP
  11. I will let you know in a few weeks about Stanford since I applied with similar stats. Although I did have a professor from Stanford EE write a letter of rec, and two Stanford alumni write the others. One recommender is still tight with Stanford alumni association .
  12. Im applying with similar stats..3.16UG GPA/ 3.43MS GPA and ok GREs 710/410/4 (Q/V/AW). 4+ research experience in industry, two pending patents, no pubs(haven't been allowed to publish). I think the SOP and LoRs will make or break your application. Good luck!
  13. Applied to Columbia and Stanford about month ago for S'12 and W'12 sessions and am wondering if anyone else has heard anything from either school. Are adcoms slower for those not applying for a Fall start date?
  14. Im waiting it out for Columbia EE also. I interviewed with a professor who was pushing for me to apply for spring (which I did) so I assumed the decision would have been sent out quickly. I submitted my application right before the deadline (oct 1st) so it has been about a month. Nothing you can really do but just wait...I really wouldn't stress out over it.
  15. I honestly cannot say since I am still in the application process myself. Looking at the results section it seems that MSME and MSCE are much more competitive than the MSEE program.
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