<p>Hi. I am a junior in Chemical Engineering from a tier 3 school. I am an international student. I am planning to pursue graduate school when I graduate (Spring 09) and I was hoping to get some opinions from you guys. </p>
<p>I'll have to admit that I am not really an excellent student like most people in this forum. My GPA hovers around 3.3 to 3.4 (out of 4.0). I already have a semester of research and I am set for a research internship this summer. </p>
<p>I am hoping to pursue a MS in Chemical Engineering. Financial Aid is not really of much concern but it would definitely help if the school I go to funds me.</p>
<p>Some schools I am looking at:
University of Tennessee (Knoxvile)
Colorado State U
Kansas State U
University of Pittsburgh
University of Arizona
University of Maryland–College Park </p>
<p>Some schools I hope to get into but not confindent at all:
UCI
UCD
UCLA
University of Florida
GaTech</p>
<p>I have yet to take the GRE. Maybe this summer.
All opinions and responces are greatly appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>Do as much research as possible. LOR's and a personal statement are HUGE. I would personally apply as a PhD student, and make the decision to finish with a masters when you are in school. I think it will help you chances a lot more.</p>
<p>How does that work, saying you want a PhD, quitting and then getting a Masters? I'm sure some people don't have the heart to finish a PhD, but do they always give you a Masters if you don't complete the PhD?</p>
<p>It's called a change in terminal degree objective. The masters was originally developed for people who don't want to or cannot finish their PhD.</p>
<p>For example, most preliminary/qualification exams have the following options as results for the first/second year of your study:</p>
<ol>
<li>Pass, continue PhD program.</li>
<li>Conditional pass, take more classes, get better GPA, do better research and continue your PhD program.</li>
<li>Fail - Terminate at Masters</li>
</ol>
<p>There is not really 4: you get kicked out of school. I guess unless you have a M.S. already it would be different. Or you might have a really low GPA <3.0 which might get you kicked out, but thats for all graduate studies I think. Other deferring comments?</p>
<p>Quote:
"I'm sure some people don't have the heart to finish a PhD, but do they always give you a Masters if you don't complete the PhD? "</p>
<p>So, you are saying that I shoud apply for a PhD program and then intentionally fail the exam to get a masters? Sound like a good plan to me!</p>
<p>To be honest, I really don't think I have the stomach for a PhD, but again, it might change. </p>
<p>However, isn't admission to a PhD program harder compared to a MSs program? I've read throughout the forums that it is way harder (like a huge difference in GPA).</p>
<p>I don't it would be good professional ethics to intentionally fail a qualification exam. Why wouldn't you just talk to your advisor and state that you had a change of heart and intend to terminate at the M.S. level instead? It's not like you're gonna be the first one.</p>
<p>"However, isn't admission to a PhD program harder compared to a MSs program? I've read throughout the forums that it is way harder (like a huge difference in GPA)."</p>
<p>It's incredibly more difficult because there are less positions available compared to MS programs. Applicants need to demonstrate an ability to succeed with graduate level study and research. Lots of schools get hundreds of applicants jostling for about a dozen positions.</p>
<p>PhD positions harder to come by because it is usually fully funded. M.S. positions are often not, although some are through TA/GSRs positions.</p>
<p>So if you are unsure and have the good grades + research exp, I think it is a good idea to just target PhD first, then decide while in graduate school if you want to finish with a PhD or end at the M.S. Otherwise, you may hurt your admission chances as well as your funding. Nobody is going to laugh at your if you decide to terminate at the M.S. if you first join the PhD program. This situation is so common in engineering it's almost a non-issue.</p>
<p>If you terminate at the MS level, do you have to pay back the funding money since it was intended for PhD study?</p>
<p>Also, what if a student genuinely doesn't know which degree he wants? I see that you can go from intended PhD to MS, but can you go from intended MS to PhD?</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you terminate at the MS level, do you have to pay back the funding money since it was intended for PhD study?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Nope. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Also, what if a student genuinely doesn't know which degree he wants? I see that you can go from intended PhD to MS, but can you go from intended MS to PhD?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yes, although there is usually an application process, and not everybody will be allowed to make the MS-> PhD switch. Generally only the top-performing MS students will be given the option.</p>
<p>Of course what you could do once you get your MS is then apply to a PhD program in an entirely separate school.</p>
<p>Is a GPA of 3.3-3.4 considered good enough for PhD programs? At least those on my list? I'm a junior now, and I would project my GPA to be tumbling down in my senior yr. I don't really think its good enough and hence I decided to do masters first and decide on PhD later.</p>
<p>I think 3.3-3.4 should be ok for M.S. level, may have difficulty getting into top 10 but should be able to reach for at least top 30 schools, which is pretty good anyways. But remember, some schools don't really like M.S. candidates. Here are some of the ranks of the schools you listed. I posted in your other thread also. </p>
<p>Graduate school rankings in ChemE
14 Georgia Institute of Technology
21 University of Florida
26 University of California–Davis
26 University of California–Los Angeles
52 University of California–Irvine (Samueli)</p>
<p>Graduate school rankings in Materials Science Engineering:
9 University of Florida
9 Georgia Institute of Technology
22 University of California–Los Angeles
26 University of California–Davis
46 University of California–Irvine</p>
<p>I also did ChemE undergrad but applied to a variety of ChemE and MatSci programs in California and ended up joining an interdisplinary research group between the two anyways.</p>
<p>I thought UCLA ChE was pretty big time? That degree would be pretty sick. I couldn't imagine the fun of running around west holly on the weekends. . .</p>
<p>My word is not the gospel since I am not on any of those admission committees, but I think your GPA with a lot of enthusiasm (research, <---- as much as possible, an upward trend in grades, leadership, strong letters of rec. from WELL known professors) will give you a better-than-average shot at most of those schools, maybe even some better ones.</p>
<p>Grad schools want a certain type of individual. They want someone who can work hard, think outside the box, and be a leader. Grades are only a small part of this, and are taken into consideration with your ENTIRE application. I don't know of one school that doesn't look at each candidate holistically. This is something I hear / read from all schools, not just the top ones.</p>
<p>Thx alot! Greatly appreciate your help. Just curious, what are you doing now? ChE or MatSci? </p>
<p>@ PasadenaDreaming</p>
<p>Thanks for that thought. Reminds me that GPA isn't everything =D. I'll do my best in the time I have remaining here. </p>
<p>I am in a dillemma of choosing either ChE or MatSci. ChE sounds better as a master's degree and finding a job would be easier but I don't think I can coupe with the courses. MatSci is my main interest but I'm not too sure if its the right route for me (what my job would be after graduation etc etc..)
Can some1 that knows about MatSci give me an idea of what MatSci degree holders do? </p>
<p>Anyway, 1 more thing, I talked to my advisor and she said that I should begin applying around August-September this yr for the Fall of 2009 class entry. Is that a bit too late? I was thinking of apply during summer.</p>
<p>Your advisor's advice is sound. Deadlines will start rolling around as early as November, but you want to get a good start on your admissions essays and what not. August - September is certainly not too late.</p>
<p>I'm actually in a materials science engineering program now. But it calls on a lot of chemical engineering tools I've learned as an undergrad. Actually, the difference in skill level and salary between a BS and MS ChE is minimal (from the opinion of friends who work in industry in fairly big name companies (ie. bio oil/pharma/commodity goods)). Here are some good references for the opportunities in the future in terms of research for both areas.. they actually have some overlapping areas:</p>