BME MS/PhD Fall '13

[vektor]

I think if there's no news till now, just assume the worst... Sorry!

[map13]

Incorrect vektor. Cornell is still sending out acceptances. I was accepted today via an interested professor, of whom I had no prior contact with. Do not give up hope!

[emt17]

Hi there, has anyone heard from Northwestern? :/ Do they conduct interviews?

[caffeinebuzzed]

@emt17 I do not know about Northwestern, sorry

 

 

But on another note, has anybody gone to a BME interview and been rejected after?

Or anyone hear about what percentage of people schools accept/reject after interview days?

[jblue322]

What's the status of Cornell PhD? No rejection yet but I saw someone got one on results... is it pretty unlikely at this point?

[BMEapplicant]

Hey,

I saw there were some people above who were direct MS applicants for BME. Got Duke MS 2x days ago and I am completely stoked since it was in my top 3 choices, and this is before I've heard from any other BME MS programs -- Duke was fast =D

 

Just a few general questions in case you guys have done more research than me (and I am reluctant to bother profs directly).

 

When you apply to these MS BME programs in the US, they typically do not interview unless they want to offer you money, is that correct? I am slightly worried that the professors who reviewed my application may not necessarily be interested in supervising me for my research.

 

I am still waiting on JHU, UCSD, UCLA, Columbia, Cornell.  But I think Duke's decision trumps all of these anyway, unless I get a scholarship (unlikely for MS, right?) I looked considerably at the areas I'm most interested in: imaging (med physics or algorithms for improving imaging, new modalities), cancer (anything and everything as far as imaging and robotic surgery) and electrophysio (devices, algorithms), and I've reviewed the profs, and I'm convinced Duke is the place to be as long as I'm open to any of these three. I am finding that UCSD is too focused on the molecular bio-side and JHU is too focused on cardio modelling and tissue engineering (again, too bio since my undergrad education was in EE). Did you guys arrive at different conclusions?

 

Also: why did you guys decide to go for MS and not PhD? For me, I'd rather be closer to translation than academics, so I'm undecided and this was an excellent way to delay having to make the decision. Also, I consider the tuition to be a tiny cost in the grander scheme of career choice.

[sabdo]

Hey, I am a current Duke MS BME so congrats on your acceptance!

 

Regarding Duke, If you're looking for an EE focus in BME, look no further. That is one of Duke's biggest focuses (especially imaging.)

 

Also, for scholarships, there were 2 for my class. We have about 18 students for my year and it was another guy and I who got it. It would be reasonable to expect the same amount for your year, maybe 1 or 2 more.

 

Feel free to ask me any questions about Duke.

[BMEapplicant]

Hey sabdo,

 

Thanks for confirming what I thought.

 

It's actually good to know there are few scholarships for the MS, as I wasn't sure whether it was my own weakness or just the competitiveness of getting one. Do you mind telling me whether it was full or partial? Congratulations on having gotten one by the way - that's great! On the application, I told them I would be able to attend regardless of scholarship (in case it would increase my chances) and that I had also applied to my country's funding agency, but I sort of doubt that influences any decision.

 

The course curriculum looks great and the professors look highly established. I have no reservations whatsoever. My only question is, specifically for BME MS students, what's it like finding a thesis supervisor? I recall they wanted names of profs I'm interested in on my application - I put down some names and I'm assuming my acceptance infers one of these people would like to supervise me, but of course I don't know for sure. I am reluctant to spam them so early. Also, to what extent can the degree be research-focused? And is it common for people to find their supervisor and start their thesis early, like in first or second semester?

 

Oh, and what's the attitude there like with these fresh NIH/NSF cuts?

 

Also, feel free to share any useful tips for succeeding there =p =D Thanks a lot!

[sabdo]

Their scholarship are 50% tuition cut + paid research up to 10K a year.

 

Finding a research supervisor was easy for me as most of the professors are very receptive. A few are a little bit reluctant to taking on non PhDs, however if you make a good case they will usually take you. As for when to contact professors about research, you don't really need to until at least summer. Lots of professors will be still be dealing with PhD recruitment as first priority until then. If not, talking to them when you first come in will probably be the most open time. The professors would then be most fully aware of their capacities. That being said, don't wait too long either. As a MS, you can take research as counting for up to 2 courses worth of credit. So yes, they definitely want you to do research. I'm not doing a thesis for my masters, but you can start research at day one. However, it probably will take some training time to get to a point of doing real work.

 

As for NIH/NSF cuts, I haven't experienced any thing regarding that.

[map13]

What's the status of Cornell PhD? No rejection yet but I saw someone got one on results... is it pretty unlikely at this point?

I heard from a POI. The admissions department is running late. I would say if you don't hear by this week...

[BMEapplicant]

Thanks sabdo! Hopefully see you soon.

[majajani1]

Hmmm this does seem strange, I thought that Columbia did interviews before they accept people but I haven't seen anything about interviews at all.

Same I haven't seen or heard anything. Their grad studies dept is a little annoying too... they only give canned answers

[vektor]

@majajani: interview for columbia was done last week...

[dagolix]

Hi there, has anyone heard from Northwestern? :/ Do they conduct interviews?

I was accepted through email on 2/4, I did not get contact for any interviews.

 

I'm also waiting on Duke BME, Caltech CNS, and Berkeley EE, for phD fall 2013. Fairly sure Caltech and Berkeley have already made their decisions

 

I emailed Duke today, the director told me Duke doesn't have an ad-comm and the faculty does recruiting independently. The person handling recruiting at the lab I'm interested in at Duke told me that BME's about to send out interview invitations within the next week, as the person in charge of sending invitations has experienced some delays. Also, I was told that Duke only makes acceptance decisions after interviews.

[BMEConfused]

Help! I'm trying to decide between Duke and GTech. Any advice? Any negatives about them?

   Primarily interested in Tissue Engineering and modulating immune response

   Want to be able to save a lot of money wherever I go

[budgie]

I've been blogging about my BME/BioE interview adventures and will soon be writing about the pains in trying to come to a final decision. If you want to join me in my adventures and pain (as they probably parallel yours), check it out and say hello if you see me in Seattle: http://gradinterviewadventures.wordpress.com/ 



 

[Ahern88]

Hello all, just want to publish my stats:

 

Undergrad: Biomedical Engineering (3.9 GPA, ranked 1st out of 23)
Masters: Electrical Engineering (In Progress)
GRE: V156/Q160/W4

 

TOEFL: 640

 

1 year experience as assistant at physics laboratory, no papers still published, no patents, thesis in progress.

Applying to Ph.D. programs in BME at UC Irvine.

 

What are my chances?

[kaush2990]

Hello All,

 

I am a BME undergrad from India and have worked as an intern at Harvard Med for 1 semester.

 

I have got admit for Duke Master of Engineering Management for Fall 2013 ( i wanna work in Project Management for Medical devices company ) 

 

Although I am still waiting for UCSD s response for MS BME fall 2013. Can i take this as bad news if i havent received any response yet??

[cheat4life]

I applied to UCSD as well for Bioengineering PhD and still did not hear anything yet. However, I think they are done with the selection couple weeks ago. Maybe there is one or two spots open.

I don't know, but UCSD should let applicants know the status much sooner. I think I am just going to accept UCLA offer. -1 for UCSD

[Ahern88]

Has anyone heard something about UCI? It is my first choice, and haven't recieved any notice from them. I'm international and applied for BME phD Fall 2013.

[kaush2990]

i have got an admit from SUNY- Stony Brook for MS BME! However i dont know if i should go ahead :| i want to work after Masters and am not interested in pursuing PhD currently !

 

Any advice is appreciate Thanks!

[msr420]

I have received an email from JHU BME offering acceptance. Funding information is complex, 50% tuition waiver with TA position and I have to find a supervisor for further funding like rest 50% of tuition fee and stipend as stated in the email. I couldn't understand the language well.

 

The email was two days ago, and nothing else till today. I sent an email to a prof. asking a position in his lab, but no response yet.

 

Gave up my hope after being rejected from MIT, Minnesota, Wisconsin and UT Austin. However, I don't know if I could join at JHU, the dream school for BME, due to esoteric funding issues :-(

[kaush2990]

received an admit for UCSD this morning!

[frwang]

Congrats to everyone who got in so far! For those still waiting, keep your chin up and don't lose hope!

[budgie]

April 15th is just around the bend, where have you all decided on?

 

I'll be at Cornell this fall ^__^