2016 EE PhD Applicant Profiles and Admission Results

[gradcatmewsings]

46 minutes ago, George123 said:

Congrats! To the people accepted to UC Berkeley today which areas are you interested in?

I applied for physical electronic devices! 

Also, this is kind of a random question, but I suspect that the acceptances given out today were for EE people, and I have a feeling that CS hasn't sent out any official acceptances yet. Anyone have a similar hunch? I have friends in CS whom I'm crossing my fingers for.

EDIT: My boyfriend was just admitted for CS Ph.D at UC Berkeley, as was another one of my friends. There was a 2 hour delay between the EE admits and the CS admits!

Edited January 28, 2016 by gradcatmewsings
Clarification

[George123]

2 hours ago, gradcatmewsings said:

I applied for physical electronic devices! 

Also, this is kind of a random question, but I suspect that the acceptances given out today were for EE people, and I have a feeling that CS hasn't sent out any official acceptances yet. Anyone have a similar hunch? I have friends in CS whom I'm crossing my fingers for.

I am waiting for CS, that's why I asked.

[blackswan13]

Got in UC Berkeley but I think it is still unofficial as the dept ECE sent an email. Not shocked as I was expecting it. I was wondering if people who got in are california residents? Did you guys get fellowships etc. ?  

[aksiksi]

So all UCB admits are out for EE?

[nieran]

Undergrad Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Major(s): Electrical Engineering
Minor(s): N/A
GPA in Major: 3.99
Overall GPA: 3.9
Position in Class: School didn't rank, but I assume somewhere near the top?
Type of Student: Domestic white male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 168 (95%)
V: 162 (90%)
W: 5.0 (93%)

Research Experience: Some research for ~2 years, nothing extremely substantial, no publications

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: First place in Engineering Senior Design Expo, Dean's list, summa cum laude, etc. Tau Beta Pi scholarship.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: President of Eta Kappa Nu (helped revive our chapter), Tau Beta Pi, student grader/TA.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Some (I think) solid work experience: three semesters working for a prominent safety/tech company in the area, a year working full-time for tiny electronic design company. Active member in student radio (held several leadership positions).

Special Bonus Points: Honestly none, I don't think any of my recommenders had any contacts at any of the schools I applied to.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where:

UC Berkeley - EECS - Physical Electronics/MEMS

Caltech - EE - Photonics/Optoelectronics

CMU - ECE- Post-CMOS/MEMS

UT Austin - ECE- Quantum optics/photonics

UCSD - EE - Photonics

UCSB - ECE- Photonics & nanoelectronics

Edited January 28, 2016 by nieran

[nieran]

On 1/24/2016 at 3:04 PM, blackswan13 said:

By the way is anyone here applying to photonics/optics or quantum optics track? Also I just saw a stanford admit for ece. Did anyone here get a reply? 

Yep, I am for a few schools. I just posted my profile, check it out.

16 hours ago, gradcatmewsings said:

Just got accepted to my dream school, UC Berkeley. There's nothing better I could've possibly asked for! I'm still shaking with adrenaline!

Congrats! I was accepted yesterday too and I'm still reeling. I had gotten an email from a professor (that I didn't mention in my SOP) around 2 weeks ago and he expressed interest in giving me research support. But of course nothing was set in stone and I couldn't know for sure until I heard officially yesterday.

15 hours ago, George123 said:

Congrats! To the people accepted to UC Berkeley today which areas are you interested in?

I also applied for physical electronic devices, thinking I'd aim for optoelectronics-focused research. However, the professor that wants to fund me is a huge MEMS guy, so it looks like I might be shifting my focus somewhat. Which is both exciting and terrifying at once!

 

11 hours ago, blackswan13 said:

Got in UC Berkeley but I think it is still unofficial as the dept ECE sent an email. Not shocked as I was expecting it. I was wondering if people who got in are california residents? Did you guys get fellowships etc. ?  

My email came from the Vice-Chair for EECS Graduate Matters, but I am fairly certain it was official. Although it's worth mentioning that my application portal on the website hasn't been updated. I am technically a CA resident (though I've been going to school in PA for ~5 years now). My offer comes with full funding guaranteed for at least the first year (plus a salary/stipend). The email stated this funding would come from either department fellowships, a GSR appointment, or a combination of the two.

 

Anyways, I've been lurking on these forums for a couple of months now, but my moderate success so far has finally given me the motivation to join the discussion. Obviously my application isn't a shoe-in for any (esp. top 10) programs, noting my lack of research/publications. So let that be a beacon of hope to those fretting over their qualifications! I feel extremely fortunate so far and hope I can help some of you guys the way others have helped me.

[blackswan13]

1 hour ago, nieran said:

Yep, I am for a few schools. I just posted my profile, check it out.

Congrats! I was accepted yesterday too and I'm still reeling. I had gotten an email from a professor (that I didn't mention in my SOP) around 2 weeks ago and he expressed interest in giving me research support. But of course nothing was set in stone and I couldn't know for sure until I heard officially yesterday.

I also applied for physical electronic devices, thinking I'd aim for optoelectronics-focused research. However, the professor that wants to fund me is a huge MEMS guy, so it looks like I might be shifting my focus somewhat. Which is both exciting and terrifying at once!

 

My email came from the Vice-Chair for EECS Graduate Matters, but I am fairly certain it was official. Although it's worth mentioning that my application portal on the website hasn't been updated. I am technically a CA resident (though I've been going to school in PA for ~5 years now). My offer comes with full funding guaranteed for at least the first year (plus a salary/stipend). The email stated this funding would come from either department fellowships, a GSR appointment, or a combination of the two.

 

Anyways, I've been lurking on these forums for a couple of months now, but my moderate success so far has finally given me the motivation to join the discussion. Obviously my application isn't a shoe-in for any (esp. top 10) programs, noting my lack of research/publications. So let that be a beacon of hope to those fretting over their qualifications! I feel extremely fortunate so far and hope I can help some of you guys the way others have helped me.

With your grades you had to get in. Give yourself credit. I am in photonics as well. Got contacted by two people so far. I am still waiting for Stanford ...

[gradcatmewsings]

4 hours ago, nieran said:

Anyways, I've been lurking on these forums for a couple of months now, but my moderate success so far has finally given me the motivation to join the discussion. Obviously my application isn't a shoe-in for any (esp. top 10) programs, noting my lack of research/publications. So let that be a beacon of hope to those fretting over their qualifications! I feel extremely fortunate so far and hope I can help some of you guys the way others have helped me.

I totally feel you on not being a "shoe-in" -- it's so hard to gauge where you stand, even with qualifications as great as yours (or any one else who's posted their stats on this forum!). Admission is dependent on so many other factors that really are out of our control. Congrats on your success, it's well deserved!  

I'm also still mostly waiting on Stanford (I would say MIT, but I am so done with cold weather... never again, I hope). But considering that my SO has also been offered admission to Berkeley EECS Ph.D, I highly doubt we could pull off a feat like that again! So, I'm looking forward to seeing you guys at Berkeley visit days! 

[Sarandia]

Undergrad Institution: Top 20 Undergrad University in US
Major(s): Electrical Engineering, Physics
Minor(s): Math
GPA in Major: 4.00
Overall GPA: 3.95
Position in Class: First rank in EE department
Type of Student: International, US Undergrad

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 168
V: 160
W: 5.5

Research Experience: Research in physics-material science for about 2 years, no pubs

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: VP of HKN, VP of TBP, 2 full-tuition scholarships

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Student TA for 2 years, Work experience at Qualcomm as IC verification engineer intern and Apple as SW development intern

Special Bonus Points: Probably nothing? 2 recs from IEEE fellows

Applying to Where:

Stanford EE

Berkeley EECS

Michigan CSE

Princeton CS

CMU ECE

(all PhD)

Honesty I haven't got any interviews or emails from POIs so it's likely that I don't get into any of these schools...I'll probably go to work and reapply next year

[Raul gonzalez]

Received my first admission offer from the University of Arizona. However, there is no information about the deadline for accepting or rejecting the offer of admission.

Also, the admission letter was electronic via their website. I have not yet received the official certificate of admission. 

I am extremely excited for the ECE Ph.D. program at UoA, however, I need to carefully consider all my options, and hence need to know the deadline for accepting their offer.  

[rodo111]

I received one admission as well from ASU as well as an invitation to a recruitment weekend, but I have not heard anything from other schools to which I applied (UCSD EE and University of Washington EE). I've also applied to bioengineering/BME at UCLA, UCI, UCSD, and ASU as well. No rejections/admissions/interviews or anything from the others. 

I'm most interested in UCSD EE...has anyone heard anything from them at all?

[blackswan13]

I haven't applied to either of these schools. I got into Columbia if anyone is waiting for that. No word from Stanford/Harvard/MIT arghhh!!!

[B00mt0wn]

3 hours ago, rodo111 said:

I received one admission as well from ASU as well as an invitation to a recruitment weekend, but I have not heard anything from other schools to which I applied (UCSD EE and University of Wahsington EE). I've also applied to bioengineering/BME at UCLA, UCI, UCSD, and ASU as well. No rejections/admissions/interviews or anything from the others. 

I'm most interested in UCSD EE...has anyone heard anything from them at all?

Are you going to the ASU recruitment event? I got invited also and I am debating on going or not. What area are wanting to do research in? I am applying for e-mag stuff. Antennas, high frequency circuits,...

[nieran]

3 hours ago, rodo111 said:

I received one admission as well from ASU as well as an invitation to a recruitment weekend, but I have not heard anything from other schools to which I applied (UCSD EE and University of Wahsington EE). I've also applied to bioengineering/BME at UCLA, UCI, UCSD, and ASU as well. No rejections/admissions/interviews or anything from the others. 

I'm most interested in UCSD EE...has anyone heard anything from them at all?

I heard from UCSD on Jan 22nd. The chair of the Graduate Admissions Committee sent an email nominating me for admission to the PhD program and inviting me to attend a recruitment weekend from Feb 25th-26th. Not an official admission yet though (and nothing updated on my online application) but it sounds promising. I'm sorry, I hate to be the one to tell you. Although I really don't know much at all about these admissions processes and would be surprised if they've already sent out all the admissions (or nominations) that they have to offer. Don't lose hope! And congratulations on ASU, that's great that they want you out there for a recruitment weekend. Best of luck to you.

On 1/28/2016 at 2:07 PM, gradcatmewsings said:

I totally feel you on not being a "shoe-in" -- it's so hard to gauge where you stand, even with qualifications as great as yours (or any one else who's posted their stats on this forum!). Admission is dependent on so many other factors that really are out of our control. Congrats on your success, it's well deserved!  

I'm also still mostly waiting on Stanford (I would say MIT, but I am so done with cold weather... never again, I hope). But considering that my SO has also been offered admission to Berkeley EECS Ph.D, I highly doubt we could pull off a feat like that again! So, I'm looking forward to seeing you guys at Berkeley visit days! 

Thank you!! So much. Congratulations on YOUR success! And your SO, that's pretty incredible that you both secured spots in such a competitive program. I'll bet you two breathed a huge collective sigh of relief last week. Hope to see you in March!

[iChris93]

Anyone here to claim the Purdue results posted today? Could they be computer and not EE?

[blacknighterrant]

2 hours ago, iChris93 said:

Anyone here to claim the Purdue results posted today? Could they be computer and not EE?

According to gradcatmewswings signature he got into Purdue ECE for PhD, so maybe it was him? I applied there for masters and haven't heard back yet.

[aksiksi]

3 hours ago, iChris93 said:

Anyone here to claim the Purdue results posted today? Could they be computer and not EE?

Waiting for Purdue too. I got into GATech though, so I'm psyched about that!

[gradcatmewsings]

4 hours ago, iChris93 said:

Anyone here to claim the Purdue results posted today? Could they be computer and not EE?

Me! I applied for devices and nanotechnology, so definitely EE. I think it's possible for admissions to happen on a rolling basis, and I suspect they contacted people who will receive fellowship support first! 

1 hour ago, blacknighterrant said:

According to gradcatmewswings signature he got into Purdue ECE for PhD, so maybe it was him? I applied there for masters and haven't heard back yet.

I'm a she.  I also don't think ECE masters results have been released yet for Purdue, so no worries. Good luck!

[aksiksi]

@gradcatmewsings Wow, congrats on getting into UCB! I also applied to it and UMich. Do you think decisions have been made already for both, or do I still have a chance?

[iChris93]

3 hours ago, aksiksi said:

@gradcatmewsings Wow, congrats on getting into UCB! I also applied to it and UMich. Do you think decisions have been made already for both, or do I still have a chance?

I received an offer from UMich on Monday but they're definitely ongoing.

3 hours ago, gradcatmewsings said:

Me! I applied for devices and nanotechnology, so definitely EE. I think it's possible for admissions to happen on a rolling basis, and I suspect they contacted people who will receive fellowship support first! 

I'm a she.  I also don't think ECE masters results have been released yet for Purdue, so no worries. Good luck!

Back in December a professor I interviewed with shared his intent to make me an offer (so you could say unofficial offer) with funding, but I have not gotten an email from the school with acceptance yet. 

Edited February 3, 2016 by iChris93

[gradcatmewsings]

3 hours ago, aksiksi said:

@gradcatmewsings Wow, congrats on getting into UCB! I also applied to it and UMich. Do you think decisions have been made already for both, or do I still have a chance?

@aksiksi Thank you so much! It does seem as though UCB has released all of their acceptances already for EECS. It's possible they might extend more offers if people decide to decline theirs (I am completely guessing about this second point; I have not heard anything about a waitlist existing). And to reiterate @iChris93's point, UMich is ongoing. 

28 minutes ago, iChris93 said:

Back in December a professor I interviewed with shared his intent to make me an offer (so you could say unofficial offer) with funding, but I have not gotten an email from the school with acceptance yet. 

I mentioned fellowship support, which is ≠ standard RA support that professors are expected to offer to the students they take (at least in electrical engineering, anyway). I'd say that a professor expressing strong intent to work with you is a great sign! Good luck! 

Edited February 3, 2016 by gradcatmewsings

[iChris93]

17 minutes ago, gradcatmewsings said:

 

I mentioned fellowship support, which is ≠ standard RA support that professors are expected to offer to the students they take (at least in electrical engineering, anyway). I'd say that a professor expressing strong intent to work with you is a great sign! Good luck! 

That might make sense.  thanks!

[BrownFlower]

Hi Guys, I applied to UMich CSE but haven't heard anything back. My guess would be they're still making decisions but I'm growing more and more anxious. Did anyone try contacting UMich?

[iChris93]

2 hours ago, BrownFlower said:

Hi Guys, I applied to UMich CSE but haven't heard anything back. My guess would be they're still making decisions but I'm growing more and more anxious. Did anyone try contacting UMich?

They are definitely still making decisions.  I got an email last Thursday from a professor asking for an interview.  Interviewed on Friday.  Got admissions offer on Monday.  I would try to reach out to any professors you want to work with if I were you.  

 

15 hours ago, aksiksi said:

Waiting for Purdue too. I got into GATech though, so I'm psyched about that!

Congratulations!  I just got my GaTech acceptance today!  

[aksiksi]

@iChris93 Thanks, and congrats to you too! Yep, I also got the official acceptance today. Really excited