Confused Mechanical MS/PhD International Student

ssboss
Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:57:44 +0000

Dear all,

I would just like to seek some opinion on my current situation now. I am an international applicant from Australia for Mechanical Engineering MS/PhD beginning Fall 2012. Some current statistics of admission decisions:

U Michigan AnnArbor : MS self fund accepted
UC Merced : PhD TA funding accepted
UC Davis : Waiting
UCSB : Reconsidering MS self fund, PhD denied
UC Berkeley : Reconsidering MS self fund, PhD denied
University of Melbourne Australia : undergrad school, MS or PhD funded by school easily

Undergrad Score: 83/100, or around 3.7-3.8/4.0 GPA
Internship: 1 in UC Davis
Exchange: 3rd year in UC Davis
Awards: Dean’s List in Australia and UC Davis
Research: Currently working as researcher in Uni Melbourne, possible advance to MS/PhD
GRE: 800Q, 540V, 3.5W

Basically, I have been rejected by a few other top schools, I believe because of my weak letters, lack of research experience, weak GRE AWA, and I am sending emails to urge them reconsider me for a MS program rather than a PhD which I have applied for originally. I am currently really confused on which decision to make. It is basically to stay in Australia for MS and go to US for PhD at a top school, or to go to US right away.

Staying in Australia for MS, I am hoping to get a good MS thesis and possible papers published, with these opening up a gateway for me to get into a top school like Stanford, Caltech or Berkeley. However, I am not sure if this is counter-productive, as I waste another year in Australia when I could go over to US and start building up a strong relationship with people in the university in US.

Going over to US now, firstly UC Merced accepted me with a PhD offer and funding available as TA position. Then again, I realize they are actively recruiting PhD students. I know it is not a ranked school and it is new and the people inside isn’t impressive, but I am thinking of going there and possible transfer to other schools for PhD. My concern is they will not give a MS to me since I am admitted as a PhD student, and the fact that they paid me for it. I am sure they will not like me to take the money and leave to others for a PhD. Will anyone help comment on this issue, whether I can legally request for a MS from UC Merced after I complete all the requirements for MS, while enrolled as a PhD student???

U Michigan accepted me for MS program after I ask them to reconsider me, based on my current research work in Australia after graduation. However, it is a MS and therefore self-funded. It seems like this is the best option, but I am concerned about advancing to PhD candidate after MS completion, as told by a professor there that they do not have much funding available. Can anyone tell if a MS degree from U Michigan is “qualified” enough for me to apply for PhD in top schools? (top choices are UC Berkeley, Stanford or Caltech) I know this is a stupid question, but all other factors aside (MS grades, thesis qualities etc), will U Michigan a school good enough to give me a higher chance?

I guess if UC Berkeley or UC Davis take me for MS (or better PhD from Davis), I will go over right away to either of them, but if they do not, I am not sure what to do. UC Merced seems to be a weak option for me, but considering they have less people, I am thinking if I could stand out as a big fish in a small pond, and consequently perhaps have an easier career pathway in that place (less competition and PhD students?) My heart is set on the US, so one way or another, I am going to reside there in the future. I guess it is just a matter of which decision will ease my progress towards getting a good job and securing residency in US after my PhD completion. Appreciate if anyone could sound their opinions.