Materials Science and Engineering Applicants of Fall 2020

[Shawon]

Hello everyone! Since most of us are almost towards the end of applications, I thought it'll be a good time to start this thread. As a continuation of @IceCream & MatSci's post last year, I thought this could be helpful. So those of you who are applying for Materials Science and Engineering programs for Fall 2020, this is your place to share and talk to fellow aspirants! (It won't be wrong to call this a 'support group' now, would it?) Feel free to post your credentials, and results using the following format!

 

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): 

Major(s): 
Minor(s): 
GPA in Major: x.xx/4.00
Overall GPA: x.xx/4.00
Demographics/Background: 

GRE Scores:
Q: xxx (xx%)
V: xxx (xx%)
W: x.x (xx%)

LOR: 

Research Experience: 

 

Publications/Abstracts/Presentations:

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

 

Fellowships/Funding:

 

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

 

Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments:

 

Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.):

 

Research Interests:

 

Institutions/Programs:

 

Comments:

[Shawon]

So I am gonna start! Let me know what you think, and if you think my list of Unis may need some balancing!

 

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Public University (Top 10) in Bangladesh, science and technology university

Master's Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Public University in South Korea (not very well known)

Undergrad Major(s): Chemistry
GPA in Major: 3.18/4.00
Overall GPA: 3.16/4.00

Graduate Major(s): Materials Science and Engineering (still getting MS, finishing before Fall 2020) 
Overall GPA: 4.00/4.00 (actually the scale in out 4.5 here, which wounds up to 4/4 in US system)
Demographics/Background: Bangladeshi male, mid 20s

GRE Scores:
Q: 168 (93%)
V: 153 (60%)
W: 4.5 (81%)
 

IELTS: 8.5/9.0 (L-8.5, R-9, W-7, S-8.5)

TOEFL: 117/120 (R-30, S,L,W-29 each)

LOR: I'd say decent to strong. All three are Professors in Korea, including my supervisor

Research Experience: ~1.5 years

 

Publications/Abstracts/Presentations:

• 1 SCI (First author) 
• 1 SCIE (First author)
• 1 SCI-under review (first author)
• 2 Oral presentations at a local and an international conference
• 1 poster presentation at an international conference

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Graduate school scholarships for academic merit, 3 national debating championships in college and high school

 

Fellowships/Funding: None

 

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: ~1.5 years full time RA and <1 year TA

 

Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments: Long debating experience at a national level (regular title winner) 

 

Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.): Some generic replies. One asst. professor at MSU took an interview and she said I'd be a good fit for her lab

 

Research Interests: Quantum materials, Electronic materials, Semiconductors

 

Institutions/Programs: UT Austin, Cambridge, UC Davis, BostonU, Michigan State, UDelaware (not sure if I should include any safeties though)

 

[Shawon]

No one else??

[Quinnzillaa]

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (relatively new university)

Major(s): Biotechnology (nanotechnology specialization)
Minor(s): Mathematics
GPA in Major: 3.90/4.00
Overall GPA: 3.93/4.00
Demographics/Background: US Born & Raised, Female, late 20's

GRE Scores:
Q: 163
V: 158
W: I don't remember for this

LOR:

One from current manager in the pharmaceutical industry (R&D), one from advisor from undergrad, one from Expert Scientist in pharma industry (R&D)

Research Experience: 

• Research Assistant (undergrad) (1yr)
• Internship at Hershey Medical Center, Cancer institute (6mo)
• Research Assistant, grant funded (1yr)
• Associate Scientist at GSK Vaccines R&D (4.5yrs)

 

Publications/Abstracts/Presentations:

Conference Presentation & Interactive Demonstration: 3D Printing at R&D Days Conference, Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research

Conference Poster: Targeted Delivery into the Nucleus of Live Cells - Using MB231 cell line and KI67 Antibody

Conference Presentation: Herbal oil-based antimicrobial nanoparticles

Conference Presentation: Efficacy of EGCG as a Neuroprotective Agent

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

Scholarships/Achievements

·         Presidential Merit Scholarship, University Scholar’s Award, Presidential Scholarship, Women in STEM Scholarship 

Honor Societies

·         University Honors Program, Golden Key International Honour Society, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society

Awards

Global Employee Recognition: Bronze

• Aug 2018: Supported critical activities needed to ensure successful manufacture of the first clinical drug product batch 
• Dec 2018: Presentation and demonstration on 3D printing at R&D Days
• Apr 2019: Independently executed stability study, collected all data, and provided interim stability reports; ultimately supported self-life extension

Global Employee Recognition: Silver

• Feb 2019: Led 5S Initiative in Drug Product Development Labs; silver awarded for having a major impact outside of working group

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

I've been working in the pharmaceutical industry for 4.5 years. I'm currently a scientist in drug product vaccines research & development.

Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments:

I started my own online business in 2010, primarily programming files for embroidery machines.

Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.):

I've spoken with the PI for the lab I'd like to work in. I'm planning on meeting up with him to tour his lab this spring.

Research Interests:

Nanomanufacturing, polymers, and soft materials

Institutions/Programs:

Boston University, Northeastern University

 

[Shawon]

On 1/24/2020 at 12:54 AM, Quinnzillaa said:

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (relatively new university)

Major(s): Biotechnology (nanotechnology specialization)
Minor(s): Mathematics
GPA in Major: 3.90/4.00
Overall GPA: 3.93/4.00
Demographics/Background: US Born & Raised, Female, late 20's

GRE Scores:
Q: 163
V: 158
W: I don't remember for this

LOR:

One from current manager in the pharmaceutical industry (R&D), one from advisor from undergrad, one from Expert Scientist in pharma industry (R&D)

Research Experience: 

• Research Assistant (undergrad) (1yr)
• Internship at Hershey Medical Center, Cancer institute (6mo)
• Research Assistant, grant funded (1yr)
• Associate Scientist at GSK Vaccines R&D (4.5yrs)

 

Publications/Abstracts/Presentations:

Conference Presentation & Interactive Demonstration: 3D Printing at R&D Days Conference, Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research

Conference Poster: Targeted Delivery into the Nucleus of Live Cells - Using MB231 cell line and KI67 Antibody

Conference Presentation: Herbal oil-based antimicrobial nanoparticles

Conference Presentation: Efficacy of EGCG as a Neuroprotective Agent

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

Scholarships/Achievements

·         Presidential Merit Scholarship, University Scholar’s Award, Presidential Scholarship, Women in STEM Scholarship 

Honor Societies

·         University Honors Program, Golden Key International Honour Society, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society

Awards

Global Employee Recognition: Bronze

• Aug 2018: Supported critical activities needed to ensure successful manufacture of the first clinical drug product batch 
• Dec 2018: Presentation and demonstration on 3D printing at R&D Days
• Apr 2019: Independently executed stability study, collected all data, and provided interim stability reports; ultimately supported self-life extension

Global Employee Recognition: Silver

• Feb 2019: Led 5S Initiative in Drug Product Development Labs; silver awarded for having a major impact outside of working group

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

I've been working in the pharmaceutical industry for 4.5 years. I'm currently a scientist in drug product vaccines research & development.

Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments:

I started my own online business in 2010, primarily programming files for embroidery machines.

Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.):

I've spoken with the PI for the lab I'd like to work in. I'm planning on meeting up with him to tour his lab this spring.

Research Interests:

Nanomanufacturing, polymers, and soft materials

Institutions/Programs:

Boston University, Northeastern University

 

Wow! Your profile looks great! Why aren't you aiming for more ambitious ones?

[Quinnzillaa]

On 1/25/2020 at 7:37 AM, Shawon said:

Wow! Your profile looks great! Why aren't you aiming for more ambitious ones?

Thank you! One of my responsibilities at my current job is to interview new scientists, expert scientists, and managers applying to my department. With some very extensive discussions with management about their qualifications, I've seen a trend in how much they care about the quality of their presentation skills and communication skills. We had applicants from MIT, Northeastern, some school in North Carolina in the middle of nowhere, etc. None of them cared where the applicant's PhD was from, they were focused on what the person had done as an individual and if they'd made a name for themselves.

I've also gotten a lot of advice from my coworkers who are well established. The consensus was that more prestigious universities and labs with very well known PIs tend to have more unnecessarily stressful environments because of the highly competitive nature of the people there. I've also heard quite a few horror stories about advisors that are more concerned about reputation than science or pawn you off on post-docs. I'd rather work in a more low key environment where I have the freedom to explore what interests me most instead of fighting to be at the top. 

That being said, my strategy was to look at very specific labs and their recent publications. If a lab is publishing regularly, opportunities to get your name out there are much higher. It also helps give you perspective into what they consider to be quality level work and the instrumentation they have available. Contacting PI's in advance was extremely beneficial, it really helped me narrow down what schools I would do well at and who I would get along best with. I contacted quite a few, some did not respond, others were not very open or helpful, but there were a few who I could picture myself working with for an extended period of time.

Of course big name schools do have fancy instruments, but really I only need what's relevant to me and the research I want to do, instead of just having high dollar equipment that I would never use. It's a big time investment and I want it to be worth more than just a fancy piece of paper. I'm in a unique position because I'm still working in the industry, so I have the opportunity to secure a potential collaboration between my company and my future lab's PI, which would be highly beneficial for both parties. I think establishing and maintaining connections is extremely important throughout your career, it's hard for anyone to trust that you're capable without proof and references. 

A bit long winded, but I feel very strongly about this lol.

Side note: BostonU has started sending out the info about their MSE open house in March and acceptances for the MSE program =)

[jrm2831]

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Rochester Institute of Technology (pretty well regarded school, chruns out quite a lot of engineers/computer scientists

Major(s): Biotechnology
Minor(s): Chemistry, Business admin, marketing
GPA in Major: 3.65/4.00
Overall GPA: 3.24/4.00
Demographics/Background: US born male, 28 years old

GRE Scores:
Q: 154(56%)
V: 161 (89%)
W: 5.0 (91%)

LOR: 2 from professors from college, 1 from my boss

Research Experience: 

research assistant for 2 different labs in college

 

Publications/Abstracts/Presentations:

Whole genome sequencing and annotation 
of Bacillus safensis and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans from birds eye chili(not 1st author)

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

N/A

Fellowships/Funding:

N/A

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

1 year-gas chromatography technologist for valeant pharmaceuticals 

3.5 years-QC technician at QIAGEN

Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments:

Six sigma yellow belt

Research Interests:

Energy storage/green materials/renewable energy 

Institutions/Programs:

Boston University, Umass Boston

Comments:

Is everyone in here applying for phD programs or masters?  If you all are applying for masters ive got no chance haha.

I spent a lot of time bouncing around majors in college, i didnt have the luck of finding what i wanted to do early enough to really gain traction in my field(I switched into biotechnology halfway into my 3rd year of school)  It was only until i was pretty much done at RIT did I figure out that the engineering field was for me.  Since then ive moved to Boston and have been planning on entering the LEAP program at BU so i can get into a field that im pasaionate about.

[Shawon]

On 1/29/2020 at 6:20 AM, Quinnzillaa said:

Thank you! One of my responsibilities at my current job is to interview new scientists, expert scientists, and managers applying to my department. With some very extensive discussions with management about their qualifications, I've seen a trend in how much they care about the quality of their presentation skills and communication skills. We had applicants from MIT, Northeastern, some school in North Carolina in the middle of nowhere, etc. None of them cared where the applicant's PhD was from, they were focused on what the person had done as an individual and if they'd made a name for themselves.

I've also gotten a lot of advice from my coworkers who are well established. The consensus was that more prestigious universities and labs with very well known PIs tend to have more unnecessarily stressful environments because of the highly competitive nature of the people there. I've also heard quite a few horror stories about advisors that are more concerned about reputation than science or pawn you off on post-docs. I'd rather work in a more low key environment where I have the freedom to explore what interests me most instead of fighting to be at the top. 

That being said, my strategy was to look at very specific labs and their recent publications. If a lab is publishing regularly, opportunities to get your name out there are much higher. It also helps give you perspective into what they consider to be quality level work and the instrumentation they have available. Contacting PI's in advance was extremely beneficial, it really helped me narrow down what schools I would do well at and who I would get along best with. I contacted quite a few, some did not respond, others were not very open or helpful, but there were a few who I could picture myself working with for an extended period of time.

Of course big name schools do have fancy instruments, but really I only need what's relevant to me and the research I want to do, instead of just having high dollar equipment that I would never use. It's a big time investment and I want it to be worth more than just a fancy piece of paper. I'm in a unique position because I'm still working in the industry, so I have the opportunity to secure a potential collaboration between my company and my future lab's PI, which would be highly beneficial for both parties. I think establishing and maintaining connections is extremely important throughout your career, it's hard for anyone to trust that you're capable without proof and references. 

A bit long winded, but I feel very strongly about this lol.

Side note: BostonU has started sending out the info about their MSE open house in March and acceptances for the MSE program ?

That sounds like an accurate description. The hype is just that, hype.

Have you heard back from BostonU? They said my application is still under review after I mailed them. Considering how flooded the results page is, I was worried! Also, UDel was rather swift with their rejection

[Shawon]

On 1/31/2020 at 1:48 AM, jrm2831 said:

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Rochester Institute of Technology (pretty well regarded school, chruns out quite a lot of engineers/computer scientists

Major(s): Biotechnology
Minor(s): Chemistry, Business admin, marketing
GPA in Major: 3.65/4.00
Overall GPA: 3.24/4.00
Demographics/Background: US born male, 28 years old

GRE Scores:
Q: 154(56%)
V: 161 (89%)
W: 5.0 (91%)

LOR: 2 from professors from college, 1 from my boss

Research Experience: 

research assistant for 2 different labs in college

 

Publications/Abstracts/Presentations:

Whole genome sequencing and annotation 
of Bacillus safensis and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans from birds eye chili(not 1st author)

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

N/A

Fellowships/Funding:

N/A

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

1 year-gas chromatography technologist for valeant pharmaceuticals 

3.5 years-QC technician at QIAGEN

Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments:

Six sigma yellow belt

Research Interests:

Energy storage/green materials/renewable energy 

Institutions/Programs:

Boston University, Umass Boston

Comments:

Is everyone in here applying for phD programs or masters?  If you all are applying for masters ive got no chance haha.

I spent a lot of time bouncing around majors in college, i didnt have the luck of finding what i wanted to do early enough to really gain traction in my field(I switched into biotechnology halfway into my 3rd year of school)  It was only until i was pretty much done at RIT did I figure out that the engineering field was for me.  Since then ive moved to Boston and have been planning on entering the LEAP program at BU so i can get into a field that im pasaionate about.

Have you heard back from BostonU? Looks like you really want to stay in the Boston area?

[jrm2831]

I have not heard back, still going crazy haha. 

I kind of have no choice but to stay in the Boston area, my wife has several small, family businesses in the area where we live, so moving is out of the question.  The good news is Boston is a major hub in innovation and there is so much potential here!

[Shawon]

From an international student perspective, Boston might be too expensive though. If your wife is running businesses in the area, you are a lucky man! 

On a different note, Michigan State has extended me an offer. But it's so cold in Esst Lansing half the year, I am a bit skeptical honestly

[jrm2831]

Boston may be pretty expensive, but there are definitely ways to make it work, and the potential contacts to gain from around the city can make it worth the money.

If you are not used to the cold, it can be a lot at first.  I did my undergrad in Rochester, NY(similar geography to Michigan State) and it snowed like 3/4 of the year.  I wouldn't want to live there permanently, but going to school there was pretty manageable.  To be fair, anywhere in the northern US is going to be a lot of cold.

Edited February 13, 2020 by jrm2831

[Shawon]

I have been living in South Korea, so I am not exactly oblivious to cold. I saw this documentary on YouTube and the only thing the narrator repeats is the cold at MSU. 

 

BU has already sent out a few offers according to the results page. You think we have been screened out or waitlisted? I mailed them last week. They replied in one line, saying my application is under review.

[jrm2831]

Your application should be done soon enough, I just received my acceptance letter! 

[Shawon]

Congratulations! Are you taking it?

[jrm2831]

I sure will be! Been working on getting into this program since 2015.