How important is where you get a masters?

[blacknighterrant]

I was worried I wouldn't get into any PhD programs directly so ended up applying for only masters programs in EE, but plan on going for a PhD eventually. I got into UCSD which is very good in EE and they even gave me some money. I was wondering how much of a difference where you get a masters would make in PhD acceptances. For example, if I got into Georgia Tech, Carnegie Mellon, or Purdue too, would it make much of a difference if I went to one of them versus UCSD to get into MIT or the like for PhD programs (Getting into Georgia Tech,Carnegie Mellon, or Purdue for a PhD program would be amazing too and I was wondering if it would be easy to get into the PhD program or transfer into it if you start out in their masters program).  I heard that in EE international students make up 70 percent of the total number of grad school attendants and was also wondering if that would make it easier for American students to get into graduate schools and to what extent.

[apaphoria]

I think it depends on what your undergrad experience (e.g. gpa) was like. Mine was s**t so I pretty much had to get a master's from a top 10 first before being "qualified" and applying to a top 10 PhD program. Plus, with a MS you have a bit more freedom in deciding if research/academia is really what you want to do or work in industry.

While I don't know about acceptance rates for American students, with a sample size n=1 it has been significantly easier for me to receive fellowships for tuition remission/grad student living stipend since most of them have a citizenship requirement, since in my program I'm one of 3 Americans...

[A blighted one]

I'm really curious about this as well, though I am in the humanities.

[ChrisTOEFert]

On 1/31/2016 at 6:34 AM, blacknighterrant said:

I was worried I wouldn't get into any PhD programs directly so ended up applying for only masters programs in EE, but plan on going for a PhD eventually. I got into UCSD which is very good in EE and they even gave me some money. I was wondering how much of a difference where you get a masters would make in PhD acceptances. For example, if I got into Georgia Tech, Carnegie Mellon, or Purdue too, would it make much of a difference if I went to one of them versus UCSD to get into MIT or the like for PhD programs (Getting into Georgia Tech,Carnegie Mellon, or Purdue for a PhD program would be amazing too and I was wondering if it would be easy to get into the PhD program or transfer into it if you start out in their masters program).  I heard that in EE international students make up 70 percent of the total number of grad school attendants and was also wondering if that would make it easier for American students to get into graduate schools and to what extent.

As many say, always follow the money.  If you get in everywhere, go where you will first have enough money to eat and live without worrying about where your next paycheque is going to come from, and second, where you feel will benefit you the most.  A grad offer is training and also a job of sorts.  You wouldn't take a job with a horrible company with no pay and iffy credentials would you?  Same goes for grad school, if UCSD is one of the top programs in your field, I say jump at it.  School name has very little to do with where you get accepted to later.  The results page is filled with top 10 graduates bemoaning their rejections and seem to use it as a crutch for why they should have gotten in.  Fit of program, grades, GRE scores, work/volunteer experience and impact of research all contribute to whether or not you will get into a high-ranked PhD program.  The name of the school stamped on the top of your degree does not.  It may help you get a job, but it will not help you get a PhD position.  

Personally, in my field of interest (molecular anthropology), my MSc school doesn't even have the ability to conduct this research.  I set up collaborations to make sure I could get some extra volunteer experience as my advisor already had a collaboration set up elsewhere to conduct my project when needed.  You are ultimately in charge of your education and need to make sure you are getting the most of your experience provided you are still being given the basics necessary not to die (i.e. they need to pay you).  

Edited February 23, 2016 by ChrisTOEFert

[Sura]

OK, I am going to answer this from a perspective of an international EE PhD applicant. I am by no means one of the best candidates in my institute, but I figured I'll take my chances and went ahead in applying to PhD (rather than MS first and PhD later) and voila, I got admits from great schools (UIUC, UCLA - but the elite schools rejected me as expected). So you never know about the graduate admission process, lots of extraneous factors come into play as somebody already mentioned. At the same time, it helps a LOT if you are a US citizen. I personally know some of them whose profile were sub-standard (pardon the expression) and who got admitted in the top schools (MIT, Stan, Berkeley etc..); I surely believe I would have gotten these places if I were a US citizen - so yes citizenship helps a lot, especially in the case of a funded PhD. Please don't interpret the above in a wrong way, I also know many brilliant US citizens who deservedly got in top places, am just saying it takes much more effort if you are an international applicant.

To answer your question about UCSD masters; I think UCSD is a fantastic school, especially for the communications track (not sure about the circuits, RF and other sub-fields). You would definitely be benefited by doing well in their MS program, but more importantly, I would suggest you start doing quality research whilst you spend your time at MS coursework (in case it's a course based MS). Decent research work + good grades + good LORs from UCSD would get you into the best of places for a PhD.

Hope that helps.

[blacknighterrant]

6 hours ago, Sura said:

OK, I am going to answer this from a perspective of an international EE PhD applicant. I am by no means one of the best candidates in my institute, but I figured I'll take my chances and went ahead in applying to PhD (rather than MS first and PhD later) and voila, I got admits from great schools (UIUC, UCLA - but the elite schools rejected me as expected). So you never know about the graduate admission process, lots of extraneous factors come into play as somebody already mentioned. At the same time, it helps a LOT if you are a US citizen. I personally know some of them whose profile were sub-standard (pardon the expression) and who got admitted in the top schools (MIT, Stan, Berkeley etc..); I surely believe I would have gotten these places if I were a US citizen - so yes citizenship helps a lot, especially in the case of a funded PhD. Please don't interpret the above in a wrong way, I also know many brilliant US citizens who deservedly got in top places, am just saying it takes much more effort if you are an international applicant.

To answer your question about UCSD masters; I think UCSD is a fantastic school, especially for the communications track (not sure about the circuits, RF and other sub-fields). You would definitely be benefited by doing well in their MS program, but more importantly, I would suggest you start doing quality research whilst you spend your time at MS coursework (in case it's a course based MS). Decent research work + good grades + good LORs from UCSD would get you into the best of places for a PhD.

Hope that helps.

UIUC is ranked #4, congrats on your acceptance there even if it isn't Berkley, MIT, or Stanford, it is still a top program (it just isn't as much of a household name) . Honestly with those 3 everything can make a difference, if they wanted to they could probably completely fill their PhD class with people who have perfect gres, gpas and tons of research experience. I'm not sure how much being a US citizen would help at Stanford or MIT honestly, but I can see it helping a lot at Berkley since it is a state school (probably helps even more to be a cali resident, which should be useful for me when reapplying for PhD).