joint program in Georgia Tech or apply next year

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello everyone I'm a senior ME student in Georgia Tech and I get 3 classes left for graduation.</p>

<p>I already got admission from Georgia tech MS program and can choose to do a non thesis( self paid and can graduate spring 2015 if studying this summer, then I can apply for phd or another MS) or thesis program( possible RA and will graduate spring 2016).
Or I can wait and apply for another school next year for Fall 2015 and at the same time I can do tons of undergraduate researches(will increase GPA a little bit and extra rec) or a internship.</p>

<p>Since in my country(China) MIT/Stanford/Caltech/Harvard get 10x better reputation than Gatech, I really wish to attend these private universities no matter for MS or PHD(MIT/stanford ME requires MS for PHD)</p>

<p>My current GPA is 3.89 with Core GPA 3.92. But I exchanged to HongKong University of Science and technology for one semester with only 3.2(which does not count into GT GPA). I did undergraduate research for one semester before.</p>

<p>Really need some advice and thank you so much!</p>

2

<p>as an International, you NEED prestige. Apply outside. (Don’t forget Cal-Berkeley.)</p>

3

<p>What is your question exactly?
Harvard for engineering is leagues below GaTech. You’re pursuing a research-based degree for the wrong reason, though many seem to do that. </p>

4

<p>get it…the simplified version is：
1.To apply for Stanford/MIT/caltech MS directly
or
2. Gatech MS and then apply for phd</p>

<p>which one is more likely to get admission.（by the way most chinese company don’t even know Gatech but will definitely know harvard）</p>

5

<p>Youre planning on returning to China?</p>

6

<p>I wish to stay in us for several years but will eventually go back to china：）</p>

7

<p>I wish to stay in us for several years but will eventually go back to china：）</p>