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collegebum1989

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Everything posted by collegebum1989

  1. Thanks for the help! Any other suggestions? All of my professors have been saying to work in other academic institutions, but they are biased since most of them are academics.
  2. Hey guys, So my situation is a little odd, but I can try to explain. I did not pursue much research as an undergrad, so I applied to some masters program to build up my application for PhD programs. But I also want to go into industry after my PhD and do not want a research-oriented academic career. My masters program is only one year, so I am planning on applying after my masters to ensure time to develop substantial research experience, better LOR and a better GPA. My question is, what should I do in that year in between to maximize my PhD applications? Should I work in another academic laboratory or should I get some industry exoerience? I know people usually disregard getting a PhD if one does not want to go into academia, but my interest is research and development/executive positions in the biotechnology sector.
  3. Biomedical engineering is the application of classic engineering principles toward medicine. Biomedical engineering is actually a very diverse field which aims to find solutions for clinical diseases and combines other disciples such as mechanical and electrical engineering with basic sciences such as chemistry and biology. Because it is so interdisciplinary, it allows you to develop a broad scope of knowledge about medicine with a unique engineering perspective. The only problem is that the field is new, and therefore employers are often confused on how to place biomedical engineers in their companies since an undergraduate education in BME is too broad. Nevertheless, a graduate degree in BME is often required for great job placement. The salary is similar to other engineering disciplines with a starting salary around $55-65k for someone with a bachelors. But this is also dependent on your experience, undergrad school, etc. But the good news is that the demand for BME is expected to increase by 72% in the upcoming years as predicted by the Bureau of Labor, which is more than any other engineering discipline. But also understand that this is also because there is less BMEs then there are EEs or MEs, so the demand increase isn't related to the relative merit of the field, but because it is the perfect time to study BME!
  4. Hey guys, I have the option between 2 research projects in the same lab at Cornell, and I wanted to know which one would be best for PhD applications next December (2012)? 1. Building a novel microscope -Developed project, most-likely resulting in publication by Summer 2012 -Publication in a less-known Journal -Experience with technical aspects valuable for industry 2. Developing Novel surgical technique for measuring blood flow in microvessels -More difficult, more uncertainty -Less likely to publish by next December -Larger, deeper project which has the potential to create a new technique (if it works) -Contact with Dean of Cornell Medical School As you can see, the first has a larger likely hood to publish, whereas the second is more of a risk with a larger potential reward. In both projects, I would be able to get the same recommendation letter from the PI, but I wanted to know which one would be most beneficial for PhD applications in the future? Thanks
  5. So how does a high graduate GPA have an effect on the "1st admissions comittee" process?
  6. This is for undergrad, something like this for grad school would be great (although impossible) because of the number and divergence of requirements for different fields and schools
  7. Thanks, so I should focus more on research and recommendation letters for this following year in the MEng. My adviser said it would be possible to do a 12 credit research project (out of 30), which would be similar to a mini-thesis. I'm assuming, although it is not a formal MS thesis, this would be beneficial to a PhD application? Also, does it help that it is from Cornell?
  8. Say you have a decent (but not amazing) UG GPA from a state school, but an excellent graduate GPA from a top university, how will this affect admissions for PhD programs in top universities? Undergrad: State School - 3.21 Grad: Cornell M.Eng If I do well in the M.Eng and get valuable research experience, will my UG GPA hold me back during admissions, or will they focus more on the M.Eng GPA? Thanks
  9. Yeah, that would be the cheaper route, but nothing helps admission into a PhD program than actually having rapport with the professors of the school and taking classes in their masters program. If you do well in the masters program, and have great relations with a suitable advisor, it not only shows you are competent but would be a better candidate for the school because you already fit into the program well. It will always be tougher for someone with an MS from a different school to enter into a competitive PhD program because there's hundreds of people just like that around the nation applying to the same competitive PhD program. But the converse, is also true. A masters at a more reputable university, and doing well, will also favor your chances of admission to a less competitive PhD program. So its win-win (minus the debt lol). Its really up to the financial capability of the applicant.
  10. Get to know the professors while doing the MS, i was am in the same boat as you (low undergrad GPA) but good stats. From what graduate students have told me, it isn't your stats, but your research interests, experiences and how well you fit into the school which hold you back from admissions. With that being said, you should also be realistic with your expectations. Pursuing an MS without full-funding will mean more of an economic burden at the cost of "hoping" to get into a better program later. So if you are comfortable being in more debt, then by all means pursue it. The reason why I say realistic is because just because you do an MS, does not mean you will automatically get into a PhD program. There are a large amount of variables which play into programs you are applying: 1. Does the professor have a good relationship with you to become your advisor? 2. Is the research lab willing to hire new PhD students? 3. Does your school allow PhD applications after MS? So the most practical thing to do is to weigh your circumstances, and realize what steps you have to do to acheive your goal of a competitive PhD acceptance. With that in mind, pick a school you would prefer to pursue your PhD, look up professors whose work interest you, and make it clear to them that you want to pursue a PhD afterwards, and then ask them to be your advisor after you do some valuable work for them. Good luck!
  11. thanks for the help guys!
  12. The only problem is that the MEng is a non-research degree program. Therefore, its not ideal for students to pursue a PhD afterwards although MEng students are able to participate in research activities. Therefore, students are expected to reapply for the PhD. Admission chances are greatly increased when a professor personally requests you. My dilemma is that I don't want to come off as an opportunist when speaking to a potential advisor. I will be entering the University this fall, so I don't think they'll even take me as a student for the PhD program if I haven't done any work for them. But asking them in December, after 3 months would allow me to prove myself and show dedication. However, I'm afraid that if I ask then, there may be a chance that his laboratory may not be accepting any PhD students for the following year (this is what a previous PhD student mentioned). I guess, my question is, how should I best approach this situation without making myself look like I'm jumping the gun, but also apply by december within the application deadline?
  13. Hey guys, I'm currently in an M.Eng program and plan on applying to PhD programs this December or next in the university I'm currently at. Although the application path for an M.Eng student to PhD is non-traditional, previous M.Eng students at my university have told me from experience that it is possible to gain admission if you find a suitable adviser. I will be starting the M.Eng this fall (fall 2011) and want to gain admission into the PhD program from the next fall (apply in December) Do you guys think 3 months is too quick of a time period to find a suitable adviser? Also, is it too direct to ask a professor if he would be able to take me on as a PhD student when I initially meet him or should I ask them after some time passes (in December). I don't want to sound too pushy or demanding, but due to the time constraints, I would like to know which is the best option. The final option would be to complete an entire year and then ask the adviser to sponsor me. Thanks.
  14. Thank you for the great insight. I definitely do agree with you on the education, opportunities and research ideas which a PhD would allow. But from reading all the threads online, I'm scared that I will have a tough time getting a industry position with only a PhD and no relevant work experience. From a lot of threads, I have read and talking to friends who have finished basic science PhDs, they state its more difficult to enter industry with a PhD since you may be too specialized or overqualified. Others state that you are restricted to bench research jobs within industry. Maybe engineering PhDs have a different job outlook than basic science PhDs (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) since their dissertations are more theoretical, but can someone who is currently in a Engineering PhD program (especially BME) describe whether they know of colleagues in their program who do not want to pursue an academic career. The reason I ask this is, when I applied to graduate schools last year, all the descriptions of PhD engineering programs stated: "career in research", "academic or teaching", for the programs. I know that a large majority of PhD candidates continue to pursue post-Docs and get a research position. But what if you are a person who does not mind research, but wants to pursue an executive role in industry. Would a PhD help with this career path? I am not interested in a research career, that is working in a laboratory and writing grant proposals for new projects. I want to develop a career more like a Chief Technology Officer, or an executive engineering position within the medical instruments industry. I just don't know whether spending 5-6 years for a PhD will end up being worthwhile if I would need to sacrifice work experience to get a reputable position within industry. Any other thoughts?
  15. Hi Guys, I recently completed my B.E. in Biomedical Engineering and will be entering into a M.Eng program for Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University. Seeing that the field of BME is inter-disciplinary, and so large, I wanted some help with career outlook for BMEs and the education which these positions require. Since BME is largely a research-oriented field, it is recommended that one receives a graduate degree before entering the workforce. While I understand this, I am confused as to what "my next step" should be to begin my career. My Career Interests I've always been interested in healthcare and technology. Specifically, bioinstrumentation and imaging. I am interested in industry jobs. Although I do not mind research, I can rather see myself more involved in the industry. I have more of a business-oriented mind and can see myself in the workforce (being involved in design, testing and collaborations between companies) rather than an academic-oriented mind, pursuing research projects and writing grants. At some point in my life, I want to create small start-up biotech companies and then develop them. I have an entrepreneurial spirit, but unsure of how to proceed with the next step of my education. PhD or Work Experience If my end goal is to be involved in industry, and eventually create a startup company, would it be valuable to pursue a PhD, with the intent of entering industry after? Should I take some time off and get some work experience after my masters? Are there industry opportunities for PhDs with a business-oriented mind? Thank you!
  16. Hi Guys, I recently completed my B.E. in Biomedical Engineering and will be entering into a M.Eng program for Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University. Seeing that the field of BME is inter-disciplinary, and so large, I wanted some help with career outlook for BMEs and the education which these positions require. Since BME is largely a research-oriented field, it is recommended that one receives a graduate degree before entering the workforce. While I understand this, I am confused as to what "my next step" should be to begin my career. My Career Interests I've always been interested in healthcare and technology. Specifically, bioinstrumentation and imaging. I am interested in industry jobs. Although I do not mind research, I can rather see myself more involved in the industry. I have more of a business-oriented mind and can see myself in the workforce (being involved in design, testing and collaborations between companies) rather than an academic-oriented mind, pursuing research projects and writing grants. At some point in my life, I want to create small start-up biotech companies and then develop them. I have an entrepreneurial spirit, but unsure of how to proceed with the next step of my education. PhD or Work Experience If my end goal is to be involved in industry, and eventually create a startup company, would it be valuable to pursue a PhD, with the intent of entering industry after? Should I take some time off and get some work experience after my masters? Are there industry opportunities for PhDs with a business-oriented mind? Thank you!
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