<p>I am currently a Freshman at the University of Florida majoring in Computer Engineering. I have a job set up for the next few summers which will allow me to research bipedal walking algorithms and robust walking with MIT alumni. Assuming that I finish undergrad with around a 3.8 GPA what are the chances I will get into a PhD program at MIT with 4 years of research experience and possibly a published paper?</p>
<p>If you read the threads here, you will realize that many applicants are surprised (both happily and unhappily) by admissions decisions and that there is no magic formula in terms of grades, experience and letters of recommendation, that gets students acceptance at particular universities. Although MIT is a great place, it is only one of many great institutions, and I think you are making a mistake if you fixate on one school rather than think more broadly about a range of possibilities.<br>
For starters, ask that MIT alum and the professors you know to suggest several schools where people are working on projects you might be interested in. Guess what type of profession you would like to work in ten years after graduation and look at the credentials of people who have those positions. You might be surprised to find that the grad schools that send out a lot of professionals in some fields are not those with the famous names. (For example, look at some of the pedigrees of MIT professors) In addition, look at journals in your field and see who writes articles that fascinate you. In short, since you are a freshman, you have lots of time to learn about a variety of places that might suit you rather than aiming for only one.</p>
<p>To back up enfall here, understand that grad programs are very very specific - when you finally graduate you will be genuinely qualified in only a handful of specific areas, which in turn are each only researched in a handful of schools, so it is not even likely that MIT would be a great choice for you even if you are competitive.</p>
<p>Still, a 3.8 GPA, 4 years of quality research, and a publication are all good indicators of a successful applicant. Unfortunately, they occur about as often in UNsuccessful applicants. These indicators are qualifiers shared by the majority of applicants. What differentiates the accepted from the rejected is … well, thats a mystery to just about everyone. Grad admissions get so specific no one not sitting holding a professorship could tell you why person A and not person B.</p>
<p>Til then: focus on getting those qualifiers, and aim even higher if possible. Forge good relationships with good professors and then impress the crap out of them.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, and I’m sorry that I came across like I am focusing solely on MIT. I am also looking into CMU, UC Berkeley and a few other universities. I still have a few years before I will know what my graduate research might consist of so, as you pointed out, deciding on a school now would be foolish. I just wanted to get an idea of my chances at one of the top universities might look like, and since I could probably get strong letters of recommendation from the MIT alum I asked about MIT. I also found an informative paper at this URL:<a href=“http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~harchol/gradschooltalk.pdf[/url]”>http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~harchol/gradschooltalk.pdf</a> that may be applicable to other threads. Thanks.</p>
<p>DS worked as a ME gofer/undergrad-tier-of loose-ends, for his CMU advisor, MIT phD, for 3 years. He applied to MIT and other schools in another area of research and was declined by all except for the best program, Toronto. He had 3.8 gpa, dual major, all of the qualifiers stated in OP. </p>
<p>So now as a post MS’er, he ends up working for same prof at another university, doing the essentially the same thing that he did as an undergrad and expanded role assisting other grad students in their projects. </p>
<p>Wasn’t in his plans but close enough to what he wanted.</p>
<p>I think its easier to get into some departments than others. I have a classmate who just got accepted to MIT grad school for Chemical Engineering. I get the impression that EE and CompE are very tough to get into.</p>
<p>direct answer is, Not Good for Anybody.
Some schools are lessor known and with a better program. Keep an open mind and not go for the name brand. DS advisor (phD MIT) said, ‘Go to [MIT] for the Right Reasons.’</p>