lmlaaron Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 I am an international students and I've got admissions from both Stanford EE MS program (without funding) and UCSD CSE PhD program(fully funded). My ultimate goal is becoming a researcher in industry or a faculty in academia and I want to pursue a PhD degree. It seems that UCSD has provided with a smooth way for me to achieve my goal, however, Stanford has always attracted me most and I would like to consider the possibility of switching into the PhD program. Funding is not a problem for me for both schools, I just want to earn a PhD degree in the best school possible for me. The deadline for making a decision is coming and I don't know which one to choose. Friends who know the details of either programs please give your advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HKsai Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 I saw someone posted before that Stanford doesn't make the transition from master to PhD easy. But I'm not sure if it is the same program. To me it is a no brainer, I will definitely take the UCSD offer considering it is a great school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rantar Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 (edited) They would have admitted you as a PhD if they wanted you at Stanford. Stanford has a bad enough reputation for failing students out of the PhD program - imagine trying to get in. I wouldn't count on the transfer into the PhD program, they don't fund MS students for a reason (because the MS students' money is the funding for everyone else). You should really go with the funded PhD. It is much less likely you will get your PhD at Stanford. Even if you reapply for a PhD after your MS, it will have been much faster to get your PhD at UCSD. Anyways UCSD has a very reputable CSE program and you will be able to go far with it. PS: I know a lot of PhD graduates from UCSD end up being researchers at Qualcomm - they collaborate a lot more with UCSD than almost any other university. You have will more than enough opportunities for research in industry at any top school, so you shouldn't sacrifice your time and money for an unlikely opportunity at Stanford. Edited March 30, 2014 by Rantar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rantar Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 I saw someone posted before that Stanford doesn't make the transition from master to PhD easy. But I'm not sure if it is the same program. To me it is a no brainer, I will definitely take the UCSD offer considering it is a great school. Whoops, you beat me to it. Exactly my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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