Chances of getting into EE Phd if I am physics major

[mangilima]

Hi,

I am a senior, physics major in a small but very reputable northeastern liberal arts college. I am considering doing Phd in EE. I have a GPA of about 3.3 as of now, and I scored 740 in GRE math and 630 in verbal. If I were to apply now to a Phd program, what would be my chances of getting in, and what should I know so I can make it in?

[noojens]

Got any research experience?

What field of EE are you interested in?

[mangilima]

I am interested in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. I have one summer of research experience (physics of short pulses in optic fiber).

[noojens]

Tough to say, really. Check out the profiles thread at the top of the forum; there are some EE applicants with similar GPAs and test scores to yourself.

The bad news:

- 740 is quite low for a quantitative GRE score on an engineering PhD application. Context: at an Ivy I attended, the ME admissions secretary said that over 50% of the applications each year have perfect 800's on their quantitative scores.

- EECS is generally one of the more competitive engineering PhD programs to get into.

The good news:

- Your physics background will set you apart from engineers. (I'm also a physics major-turned engineering PhD, and this has been true in my experience)

- The GRE isn't a dealbreaker; it's more of a box that'll get checked off when the admissions committee reviews your application. If you have very strong recommendations and connect with a professor who wants you as a student, your GRE score won't matter so much.

That's my general read on your situation. If you have specific questions feel free to ask.