itsmi

Yes, I'm also here :-) I think there might be a different kind of input available here. Yes, I certainly think that the average PhD student in Switzerland (and Germany) would be older than in the UK. I studied in both countries and recognized quite a difference between the countries.

Hi everyone, I got offers for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich and University of Cambridge. Maybe you can give me an "American point of view" (I'm planning to work in the US for a while afterwards); but all other comments are just as welcome. The project is very similar at both positions (well, there might be a very small advantage with the project and location of ETH, but the supervisor at Cambridge is a big guy in his field, which probably makes up for it), and so is the location, supervisor as a person and duration. However, the big difference is in the the salary and reputation. While ETH pays more than double the money (ca $60k/year net!), Cambridge ($25k/year net) has a slightly better reputation. That is true especially for the general case, but perhaps also for mechanical engineering in particular. Over the duration of 4 years, at ETH I could possibly save $70k more than at Cambridge and have a better live regarding money for a nice flat, holiday trips etc. (different costs of living taken into account!). I highly doubt that there´s such a big difference in the jobs I could get afterwards to make up for that; do you agree with me? On the other hand, I couldn´t tell my grandma that I went to Cambridge, and I doubt she´s ever heard of ETH before. It´s just not the same brand-name, and the life in Cambridge is also nice - for instance if you consider all the famous speakers etc. I should also add that I´m already 27 years old, which is probably much older than the average Cambridge-PhD-student. How would you decide? Money or reputation? Do you have another, helpful input which I didn´t consider yet? Thanks so much!

If you think you would have the motivation for doing the master well, then go for it. What I've learnt from my PhD applications: It is more than easy to go into a new field. In my case, that is for example Nanotechnology with a Mechanical Engineering background. Even if you don't do a PhD - nothing is really determined just with your degree subject. And, as it seems, your master would still be in the same field, so it's even better. It helps of course if you have a relation to the new field to express your motivation.

Thanks very much already! WhiteRussian: That's the reason why I wrote But it is indeed something I need to think about carefully. Maybe I really shouldn't make it all dependent on the money. For the cost of living: I wouldn't say that Zurich is more expensive than Cambridge. I've been to both places and did a lot of research. Rents are just as high in Cambridge and Zurich is very close to Germany, which is way cheaper (e.g. groceries). Since I am from Germany, I'd go there regularly (thus the language barrier is also not given). Insurance is something I should look at, thanks for the hint! Any more oppinions, especially on the reputation? Can ETH compete with Cambridge when it comes to engineering? Thanks a lot guys :-)

Hi all. I've got the mother of all dilemmas: I got admitted for a PhD at both universities, Cambridge and ETH. Even though I'm in a very lucky poisition, it makes my decision nearly impossible. What do you think? Which is the strongest in Mechanical Engineering? My pros and cons are: University of Cambridge + It's Cambridge! (Ranking etc.) + The supervisor (and team) is very nice + The length is very likely to not exceed 3.5 years - Money! The scholarship pays everything but is just enough to 'survive' ETH Zurich + Money (~ three times as much as Cambridge!) - The Professor seems to be not as nice/helpful as the one in Cambridge - Length likely to exceed 3.5 years This looks a bit in favour of Cambridge, but the money is a very important factor and I'd say the projects (and also other important factors) are of equal interest (thus not mentioned). What are your oppinions? Priorities? Pros/cons and their weightings? A very important factor to me is, which University has the best reputation in Mechanical Engineering. Can one really reject an offer from CAMBRIDGE and ever get happy again? On the other hand, is it just for your ego or will the degree really be so much better (in life-time) to turn down additional money in the order of magnitude of 90,000(!) USD over the time of the PhD? Which would you choose? Help from everyone is appreciated. Thanks very much!!

Okay, that sounds good. Thank you all so much for your help. I am completely satisfied with that concern now. :-) Thanks!!

Thank you two so much for your informative responses! It really helps a lot and now, I feel very informed. I still have about half a year left to apply, so I can pepare in advance with the help of your hints. It seems to be a lot of work, but not as complicated as I thought. Thanks again! // another question: I will finish my Bachelor likely in Feb. 2012. Can I apply without having finished it then? Because of the deadlines are already on Jan. 15th.

Hi all! How do you proceed in getting LORs? I'm a german student and it's not common in Germany to ask the profs. for LORs. I heard that every University wants to have an individual LOR. So, if you apply on maybe 10 Universities, the recommenders do have to write 10 letters for each student? I can't believe that the profs are willingly to do that. They also have to send it directly to the Universities, right? I guess that this amount of work for the profs could be the biggest problem of my whole application. I would be very happy to hear some experiences from other students applying for graduate admission. Thanks a lot!!!! Jochen

In Germany, there are only top10 Universities ranked. My University is definitely not top10 but it is a 'better one'. I guess somewhere between 15 and 30. However, there are no big differences in the quality like it is in the US and some other countries. Thank you so much for your valuation. It is exactly what I am looking for. I really don't expect that I have any chances at Harvard. But something like Yale, Caltech, MIT, Cornell, Berkeley etc. would be so great! What do you think about these special Universities? Or should I better apply at UCSB, GIT, Northwestern, Penn...(Top30)? If you don't give me a chance at top30 (at least) I prefer to stay in Germany for the Master. ;-) Thanks a lot !!

Thank you very much, Stefano. Maybe someone can 'chance' me and tell, at which Universities I might have chances? Do you think that I can get a position at a top10 University? I also have an addition: The GPA will most likely be 3.85. Hopefully that helps! Thank you very much!

Hi everyone! I'm very interested in a graduate study at an US university but I really feel bad after looking at the admission section. I guess that most of you can chance me much better than I can. I'd be very thankful for every qualified comment. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering, 4-years-equivalentAlbstadt-Sigmaringen University, GermanyExpected average grade: 1.5 (on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest)Expected GPA: approx. 3.70-4.00 (depending on the conversion), top 5% of the semester (~60 people)International, male, white GRE and TOEFL scores not expected to be that high, maybe average? 3.5 years apprenticeship as a cutting machine operator (with honor)A lot of additional work experience (part time jobs as a skilled worker) 6 months internship at the R&D department of BOSCH Germany1 semester internship at a micro dynamics labratory in Canada (University of Calgary)1 semester Bachelor’s thesis at a research lab coming up. Does it count?1 publication (conference paper) as 3rd author (at the Canadian lab) . [*]DAAD Rise North America Scholarship (for the Canada-trip)[*]Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn Scholarship (6 months) . [*]Not much social things in my background.[*]Recommendation letters might be a problem. I guess that my evaluators are not used to write “very good” letters even if they are willing. It is not needed for Master application in Germany. __________________________________________________________________________________________ It would be great if you could give me your opinion about the Universities I might have good chances. Or just Top XX. Thank you so much for your help! Best regards from Germany Jochen