<p>I applied to four PhD programs in Biomedical engineering (Cornell, UIUC, Purdue, and Columbia). So far, I got in to Cornell MEng and rejected from Purdue PhD (I assume I'll get rejected from Columbia & UIUC). </p>
<p>Btw, I am an international student from top 10 engr schools in US. I have extensive research experiences (3 pubs with 1 first author pub). I am afraid to take MEng since it is a non-thesis master and could be detrimental when I apply again for PhD.</p>
<p>Do you think it's a good idea to take MEng as a stepping stone for PhD?</p>
<p>Cornell is very well-regarded and you will probably be all right in PhD admissions if you get an MEng from there. A thesis would be ideal, but you have research experience and your degree will be from a strong program.</p>
<p>If you're really concerned, you could always turn down Cornell and apply to MS programs with thesis options next year.</p>
<p>I did a non-thesis master's and was excepted to top 10 PhD Eng programs. So it is possible, depends on what you want to do. And even the non-thesis usually has some project/research work too.</p>
<p>Mech Eng., it took me 2 yrs (I worked at the same time) but could have been done in a year and a half. I think having the masters makes you look like a more serious PhD applicant, since leaving with a masters would not be an option for you.</p>