<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I know there are similar threads like the one I am posting, but can you please give me an opinion on what are my chances on getting accepted into a top PhD program for mechanical engineering with funding. I will be applying to MIT, UC Berkely, Stanford, Cal Tech, Cornell University, and Princeton University. My number 1 choice is MIT. Also, Here are my stats:</p>
<p>Overall GPA: 3.9
Major GPA: 3.94
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: Currently a junior</p>
<p>Research Experience:
- Research at my university for 2 years on fluid mechanics. Research consists of extensive laboratory experiments (independent), computer simulations, and theoretical analysis. My current research is part of honors at my university and I will publish my research in a 50 page thesis.
- 2010 summer program at UC Santa Barbara (10 weeks total) in nanotechnology. The program was highly competitive to get into.
- Will conduct research for the summer of 2011 (10 weeks) at UC Berkeley or Stanford in MEMS.</p>
<p>Honors and Awards:
- I have received two competitive scholarships from my college.
- I received a competitive research grant from my college to fund my research.
- I am co-author of 2 journal articles that will be published before applying to graduate school. I will also publish another paper based on my research (paper will be published by the time I apply to graduate school).
- Dean's Honor List 6 of the 7 quarters at my university (GPA: 3.95). 4.0 GPA 3 of the 8 quarters.
- I have presented my research at 5 conferences.
- I was also accepted to a competitive internship positions at UC Berkeley during the summer of 2010.</p>
<p>Letters of Recommendation:
-3 very good recommendations from top professors.</p>
<p>GRE:
-Not taken it yet but am aiming for a 760 (Quantitative) and 500 (Verbal)</p>
<p>***If you have similar stats like mine and were accepted/rejected from a top grad school, can you please mention it.</p>
<p>You should have no problem.</p>
<p>I had a very good background as well, and I did not get into any of the top schools (but if you’re US, your chances are higher). I learned that to be admitted to a PhD, one of the most important factors seems your connection to the department. Maybe you already know a professor you would like to be your advisor, or your research/profile is a very good fit for a certain research group in the department. Just being very good might not be good enough, the schools you list might get at least a 100 applications just as good as yours.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to apply to some less ambitious schools if you want to be sure to get started on your PhD next year.</p>
<p>That’s a very good stats you got there.
My friend that has similar stats in chemical biology @UC Berkeley
- GPA 3.92 (summa cum laude or smth)
- GRE 800Q/550V/5AWA
- Also 3 rec letters from top profs
- 1 year of research, 3 months intern in top biotech company</p>
<p>Dean’s list in like all 4 quarters (my fiend is a transfer student)
No other award, no funding, no paper</p>
<p>Accepted:
<p>Rejected:
- MIT
- Harvard
- (I think Stanford, but I forgot)</p>
<p>My friend is an international student, though, which is considered a disadvantage to the department since his enrollment fee will be twice. This might contribute to one factor why he’s not accepted to various schools.</p>
<p>Good luck in your app!</p>
<p>I think it is true that connection is important. When I visited schools, I realized that so many of the students admitted, maybe even more than 50% in some schools, worked with a professor in undergraduate who is very familiar with the faculty in the school he applied to. I heard that some faculty actually call each other and ask how the students are. They really might not take the best student but they take students recommended from their colleagues. Many other admitted student had REU experience in the universities they applied to.</p>
<p>What you said has just made me so hopeful! :)</p>