UCSD for PhD or Stanford for MS?
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 7:25 pm
Hi all, I've been browsing these forums a bit but haven't really posted until now. It seems like you guys hand out some decently well informed advice so I'd like to seek your opinions regarding my situation.
I'm a 1st year PhD student in Physics at UCSD doing experimental condensed matter. My research is on synthesizing and characterizing thin-film magnetic multilayers for potential spintronics applications. I am advised by a professor that has over 200 publications and 40 patents in this area of study, and is definitely one of the big-names in the field of magnetic materials. I went to UCSD for my BS in Physics also.
I applied to Stanford EE for admission to their PhD program for Fall 2010 and recently received a rejection. They did mention that I am accepted to their MS-only program though. There is potential for petitioning into the PhD program in the Spring if I meet a few requirements: take a full course-load, maintain a 3.5 GPA, and a letter of support from a full-time EE faculty member. None of my UCSD course credits will transfer.
I am interested in staying in academia after my PhD and would like to obtain a faculty position at a decent university afterwards.
Obviously the decision should be what I personally feel is right for me, but I'm having a hard time justifying very well either side of the coin. And to top it off, I have no idea what the frequency of success is for a MS->PhD petition at Stanford.
What do you guys think is a better option here? Stay at UCSD and finish off this PHd or take a shot at Stanford?
Do you need more info?
I'm a 1st year PhD student in Physics at UCSD doing experimental condensed matter. My research is on synthesizing and characterizing thin-film magnetic multilayers for potential spintronics applications. I am advised by a professor that has over 200 publications and 40 patents in this area of study, and is definitely one of the big-names in the field of magnetic materials. I went to UCSD for my BS in Physics also.
I applied to Stanford EE for admission to their PhD program for Fall 2010 and recently received a rejection. They did mention that I am accepted to their MS-only program though. There is potential for petitioning into the PhD program in the Spring if I meet a few requirements: take a full course-load, maintain a 3.5 GPA, and a letter of support from a full-time EE faculty member. None of my UCSD course credits will transfer.
I am interested in staying in academia after my PhD and would like to obtain a faculty position at a decent university afterwards.
Obviously the decision should be what I personally feel is right for me, but I'm having a hard time justifying very well either side of the coin. And to top it off, I have no idea what the frequency of success is for a MS->PhD petition at Stanford.
What do you guys think is a better option here? Stay at UCSD and finish off this PHd or take a shot at Stanford?
Do you need more info?