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Posted (edited)

My research interests are whole-body locomotion/neuromuscular control. Got admitted to PhD in Mechanical Engineering at U of Delaware, which has two great professors in this area and close partnership with its top physical therapy program in the nation. Admission to MS programs in BME at U Mich and USC(None of them are funded).

 

I am asking for ideas on the chances to convert MS to PhD at these two schools. I heard U Mich does not encourage professors converting MS students to PhD. Maybe I am wrong. What about USC?

 

BTW, I am looking forward to finding a job eventually. Maybe the name of university and location are important? Advice and help are greatly appreciated!!!

Edited by webberwei
Posted

I don't have the experience necessary to say how likely it is to convert MS to PhD at those schools, but maybe I can stir some other thoughts.

 

The MS programs seem to offer you more flexibility down the road, they are unfunded, which is tough, but it at least gives you a chance to get grad coursework out of the way, get solid experience in academic research, and leaves you in a place where you can be flexible about applying to PhD programs or going into industry.

 

However, if you feel a good connection to the Delaware professors, especially if there is funding, and if you know what you want to do, then it might be nice to settle down at one school. If you are worried about job prospects, it might not be a bad idea to ask the professors you are interested in working with what their students have gone on to do.

Posted

I don't have the experience necessary to say how likely it is to convert MS to PhD at those schools, but maybe I can stir some other thoughts.

 

The MS programs seem to offer you more flexibility down the road, they are unfunded, which is tough, but it at least gives you a chance to get grad coursework out of the way, get solid experience in academic research, and leaves you in a place where you can be flexible about applying to PhD programs or going into industry.

 

However, if you feel a good connection to the Delaware professors, especially if there is funding, and if you know what you want to do, then it might be nice to settle down at one school. If you are worried about job prospects, it might not be a bad idea to ask the professors you are interested in working with what their students have gone on to do.

 

Thank you for your thoughts! Funding is another issue, the both professors at Delaware do not have funding for additional students.  So I were going there, I have to work around to find other professor as my primary adviser and have the professor of interests co-advise my PhD. But the first year is university-funded.so I have about an year to find my adviser. 

 

I do not mind working my PhD on what I want to do. It is this sense of uncertainty that makes me concerned. Thus, I want to explore the MS program and see whether they would open more opportunities (such as conversion to PhD) for me. 

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