mechengr2000

I'm in the same boat for NDSEG. I would suggest calling NSF and asking them exactly what you asked above. I know for NDSEG, the health insurance is maxed at $1000. (I havent called NDSEG about this yet). I know my school charges >$3000 for a year of health insurance, so I can predict what answer I am going to get. I'll probably stay on my parents plan for this reason.

This is totally absurd and also obnoxious. Did you submit your application on time? You need to call them! What did their previous responses say? To keep waiting? This is a very bad sign - reconsider if you want to go to school here, if you have other options available to you.

I was awarded a prestigious external fellowship. I am strongly considering applying for work in a DOE National Lab after completing the PhD program. Would it be a bad idea to aim for a 3.5 GPA and focus on research, or should I aim for a higher GPA?

I have to add something: ChemE is an exception. Many ChemE programs wont even taken MechE undergrads, even though that is the nearest neighbor discipline (IMHO). For my field, Mechanical Engineering, I think you could apply to at least 90% of the top 20 schools in the country. I think the engineering discipline you would be most attractive in is Electrical Engineering. They are the most mathematical of the engineering fields, and being a math undegrad would make you stand out very, very, favorably.

I have a followup question. Does GPA matter once you are in a PhD program?

Do you not feel confident that you can obtain funding for a PhD program? What are your GPA/GRE numbers, and your research experience?

its funny you mentioned Harvard. I have a friend of a friend who goes there for physics. My friend, who has taken grad quantum mech at my school (but not any other grad classes), and has seen the homework my other friend is assigned for grad quantum mech at harvard told me that what they do at harvard is way more advanced. It was that conversation that actually got me worried enough to write this thread.

I refuse to go to their level. Some schmuck in his second year just tried to tell me I had no idea what I was doing in research. I have five years of independant research experience, where he only has one. I just kept smiling and nodding, and it annoyed the hell out of him since I wasnt letting him get to me. He started his tantrum after hearing I was accepted at a prestigous PhD program.

Why would you do this? It will severely limit your opportunities in the research sector.

Tell your favorite story about snobs you've had to deal with. Has anyone found an especially effective way with dealing with them, especially when the snobs themselves are also grad students in your cohort?

I plan on being fairly proactive/aggressive when it comes to dating, and if I see someone I think would like to spend my life with, I plan on pursuing them. I just hope this does not create bad feelings if this happens inside the department.

Yes - if it were the same course at the same school or a similarly ranked school, I wouldnt be worried. I was wondering if there would be a jump in difficulty since this school is ranked at the top.

Articulation is the most important thing. The clarity and voice you use in your application will matter the more than your accomplishments. This is an unfortunate fact that is true because of how fast they read the applications.

They will transfer a maximum of two courses, as per their policy.

I have recently completed an MS in Mechanical Engineering at a school ranked in the top 50. I am going to be starting a PhD in Mech Engr at a school ranked at the very top. How different will the coursework be in terms of difficulty? More or less, I will be taking all the same classes over again.

I'm sure they'll bring back the Fulbright-Hays as soon as the economy gets better in a few years.

http://www.fulbright.org/about-us/news/final-fiscal-year-fy-2011-continuing-resolution-passed

Does any one here have experience applying for Fulbright, especially as a student in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)? How does this application compare and differ to writing an NSF GRFP or NDSEG proposal? I am planning on applying to Fulbright as a Mechanical Engineer for China two years from now, so I am beginning my preparation.

What happens at the end of the three years? Does the school match the stipend that NDSEG was paying, or will it be different?

That's going to be a very tough social struggle. It needs to be done though. I support you fully.

Lets say you already have the degree you want. Now what do you do? What are your short term (1-2 year) career plans?

huh?

After one is awarded NDSEG, what happens? Are there any NDSEG events to attend? How often do you send reports of your work to DOD? What exactly happens? If you feel comfortable, please share your experiences.

What is the dating scene in grad school like? How/where does one approach this? Have you noticed if people are more/less serious about it? What has your experience been? BTW, I will be living in grad student housing.

What city/state/region of the US are you in? I strongly recommend making some cash a priority. And do not tell ANYONE that you are making it, especially your mom! I recommend being a waiter. When I was a waiter, I used to make $200 in tips by serving breakfast and lunch on weekends. This was at a very nice but humble establishment where breakfast costed about $7 a person.