Mechanical Enginering PhD: UC Berkeley vs Columbia University

[EngineerAlvara]

Hi all,

I am having trouble making a decision between these schools. They each have really great things going for me there and I am interested in both.

Columbia has unofficially offered me TA and RA opportunities, with the PI I am looking to work with saying he usually requires at least 3 semesters of TA from his students. The PI at Columbia is conducting research that I am really interested in and we have already spoken about what work I would be doing. He is involved with the administration stuff but is seemingly not that busy aside from his research and grant writing but seems to have time for students (approx 5 Ph.D. candidates).

Berkeley is offering 2 yrs fellowship and the two PIs I am talking to are really cool older guys. One PI is also an administrative chair so I realize he might be not as involved, however, his students (approx 6 Ph.D. candidates) reassure me that he is very attentive, this PI also already has a few ideas for what I would work on and might request me to stick to this plan. The second PI is super laid back and has been very clear to me that he wants me to discover my own project and is very open with collaborations with other labs, he is also busy due to his large lab (approx 12 Ph.D. candidates). A lab outside of the Mechanical Engineering Department is doing the same work as the Columbia PI and has already agreed to work with me.

I appreciate any input and thank you in advance.

 

[cabbysaurus]

I'm the type of person who prefers having options and fallbacks, plus I love Berkeley, so would definitely choose that. It seems like you have more potential advisors and projects there. Were you able to chat with the students in PI 2's lab there?

My main concern about Berkeley would be the cost of living there, especially on a grad student stipend.

[DiscoTech]

1 hour ago, EngineerAlvara said:

Hi all,

I am having trouble making a decision between these schools. They each have really great things going for me there and I am interested in both.

Columbia has unofficially offered me TA and RA opportunities, with the PI I am looking to work with saying he usually requires at least 3 semesters of TA from his students. The PI at Columbia is conducting research that I am really interested in and we have already spoken about what work I would be doing. He is involved with the administration stuff but is seemingly not that busy aside from his research and grant writing but seems to have time for students (approx 5 Ph.D. candidates).

Berkeley is offering 2 yrs fellowship and the two PIs I am talking to are really cool older guys. One PI is also an administrative chair so I realize he might be not as involved, however, his students (approx 6 Ph.D. candidates) reassure me that he is very attentive, this PI also already has a few ideas for what I would work on and might request me to stick to this plan. The second PI is super laid back and has been very clear to me that he wants me to discover my own project and is very open with collaborations with other labs, he is also busy due to his large lab (approx 12 Ph.D. candidates). A lab outside of the Mechanical Engineering Department is doing the same work as the Columbia PI and has already agreed to work with me.

I appreciate any input and thank you in advance.

 

Take the fellowship Berkeley. There's something to be said for having the flexibility to work with whoever you want to. Things dont always work out as you imagine with advisors. Plus, not having to TA is a big plus. Just focus on courses and your research. Columbia is a bit of an MS diploma mill and probably asks more of their students from a teaching standpoint than Berkeley. 

[MrsPhD]

Not having to be a TA is a big plus. Having 2 potential advisors (or co-chairs) who seem to be interested in mentoring and letting you figure out what you want to do (rather than you being an extension of who they are)? That sounds great.

Also, take into account that sometimes people move. So having several faculty and even an outside lab interested in you, makes Berkeley a better choice for you. It also sounds as if you'd have more chances to collaborate and co-author papers. At Columbia there is one person and he/she might leave; not ideal. 

[EngineerAlvara]

Hey,  just following up. I took the UC Berkeley option. I haven't started but I'm excited and although I have some minor concerns, I am glad I made this choice. If there's anyone new to the school or anyone not new, I'm open to hanging out and meeting new people with the very little free time we will have over coffee or a drink. Also, totally into study groups or just comparing results for class/research and open to reviewing papers. email: engineer_alvara at berkeley dot edu