<p>Looking for some advice here. So I've decided that I want to do a PhD in electrical engineering (communications). I've heard from many people that getting into grad school in this area is way competitive, and I'm worried I won't be able to get into one of the top top schools (top ~5) I've heard that a way around this is to just apply for the terminal masters, instead of the phd. </p>
<p>What do you guys think are my chances of applying, PhD vs. masters? Given my "credentials":</p>
<p>School: UT Austin
gpa: 3.69/ could be a 3.7 by my application with fall grades.</p>
<p>research experience:
Very good summer intern credentials in America and France, but no publications..</p>
<p>Recs.
I have a really good rec from 2 of the research groups, but I had a sort of a conflict with a software group I worked for 2 summers as they didn't find my work applicable to the software (my work became heavy math analysis), and there was sort of a falling out..</p>
<p>No publications.</p>
<p>I'm currently studying for the GRE and going to take it December 1st(but I'm pretty good at standardized tests).</p>
<p>deadlines are coming up. if you want to apply for next fall, I suggest you start your apps right now, have everything done by december, and send GRE scores last.</p>
<p>It seems you’re underestimating your qualities. It’s hard to differentiate between a top 5 and a top 10 unless we’re talking about MIT, Caltech, Stanford, UC Berkeley, but regardless with that gpa and research (Idk if summer interns are considered research, but it seems so since it seemed that you could have gotten a publication while doing it?)</p>
<p>If you want a PhD, why do you want to get around with a terminal masters? A terminal masters, as the name implies, is a terminal degree (for industry professionals) and may not be considered favorably for PhD admissions if you chose to apply eventually.</p>
<p>Assuming you’re getting a BS in Elec Engg from UT Austin, 3.7 is a great GPA by engineering school standards. If you can manage a good GRE score, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t have a decent shot at good PhD programs.</p>
<p>YEah all of my work was research oriented (including computer software algorithm analysis for 2 summers)… but I never got a publication. From what I understood all the guys getting into stanford have 4.0’s and publications under their belt. I was under the impression that I couldn’t get into these schools directly. You guys find a 3.7 competitive? By competitive I mean a sure thing.</p>
<p>Those are past 2 years results of engineering grad applicants. I think a 3.7 from a way lesser known school would be competitive for a top 10, with yours being from a top 10 itself makes it even better. I think the applicants in those 2 threads are maybe a little skewed as in they’re probably the top of the top of admitted students.</p>