<p>I am applying for a PhD in biomedical engineering in the following universities - Yale, Georgia Tech, U Mich. Now I have the following info only based on the internet.</p>
<p>Yale - Department is 9 years old. Hence, would have new equipment and research facilities. Ranking on the other hand is 30. Student to teacher ratio is very less, hence better interaction with faculty. I have a very good chance to get into this.</p>
<p>GaTech, - In the top 3 rankings, well established departments. Chances are good but not very good. Gatech has a joint PhD with emory. </p>
<p>U of Mich - Has one of the biggest biomed dept and seems well established.</p>
<p>I have an engineering background. I am planning to use biomedical engineering to step into further frontiers of biology in the future. So considering all this, which is my best bet ?</p>
<p>I would like some help on how to choose between Yale, Gatech and U Mich .</p>
<p>Apply to all three (plus a few more) and, once you get accepted, then decide where you want to go. Unless you have very high GPA, reserach/lab exp, and killer LORs, you may not have to worry about it. Good luck.</p>
<p>I can’t compare very well, but I know a little about GA Tech. It’s in Atlanta, so you’re in a big city. CDC and Emory are nearby. I believe the BME program is actually joint with Emory’s School of Medicine. The BME program is ranked #2, behind Johns Hopkins. GT is involved somehow with the brain mapping initiative. It is known for it’s co-ops. It’s a state school, so it may be cheaper than the others. And though it’s a state school, the facilities and campus appear to be very well-kept. GA Tech is very heavy on research and receives lots of research dollars. I’m a local parent of an undergrad BME major there. You’d probably want to look at the kinds of research that is going on at all three schools and decide which one has what you are most interested in.</p>
<p>You will have close interaction with faculty no matter where you go. That is the nature of a PhD program. </p>
<p>All these programs are also going to want to see some evidence that you know what BME research is and can persuasively articulate why a PhD in the field is right for you. You say that you “have an engineering background” and are “planning to use biomedical engineering to step into further frontiers of biology in the future.” What does that mean, exactly? It doesn’t sound very specific or well thought out, and it certainly doesn’t translate into an interest in a specific PhD dissertation.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you spend some time discussing your interest in a PhD program with a professor at your current institution. They will be able to guide you and perhaps write a recommendation. You should also spend some time reading the research of BME faculty at the institutions you are planning on applying to. That will also help you see where (and under which professors) you might want to pursue a PhD.</p>