<p>Hi, I’m currently interested in Biotech/Bioengineering with a focus the electrical part of it. But just in case the biotech field doesn’t kick off (I know its the #1 rising field…but just in case) and not have a good job prospect, can I switch to electrical engineering for my graduate studies? I’ll be minoring in computer science as well.</p>
<p>How difficult is it to get into EECS at MIT grad?</p>
<p>Also, I’m really not interested in EE as a freshman…its really competitive and cutthroat as I hear it is in Caltech.
It seems too standard and bland too. But just in case the biotech field doesn’t hold any prospect…I was wondering if it would be possible to switch.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>MIT’s EECS graduate program typically admits about 5% of those who apply.</p>
<p>You can get into the EECS program with a variety of undergraduate backgrounds. It’s more important to have a strong education in the fundamentals of EECS than to have a degree with any particular name on it.</p>
<p>T-T…no way…
5%…?</p>
<p>How many are those from MIT undergrad?</p>
<p>btw, I’ve heard the complete opposite about Caltech cutthoatedness.</p>
<p>Caltech is one of the most collaborative colleges because it also has the most difficult p-sets! :)</p>
<p>I’m not sure currently how many were MIT undergrads – it’s not an insignificant number, but I’m not sure what, precisely, it is.</p>
<p>John - recall from a past thread, I think, that MIT offers only a Ph.D. in EECS to those who hold an undergrad degree from somewhere other than MIT. This might explain the especially low acceptance rate partially (of course, MIT is sought after in general, but I wouldn’t discount this fact). Unless I’m forgetting what was actually said.</p>
<p>Look into schools which offer terminal Master’s, and check their acceptance rates too, as well as the suggested background. Often they post this sort of thing on the website. </p>
<p>I know two people personally who went from my school onto MIT EECS PhDs, and I’m pretty sure they had mastered EECS fundamentals insanely well and done a lot of research, and especially with one of them, I basically can’t imagine much one could do to have a better application at all (sure, win a Turing Award at age 20 is a plus point he could not boast of), and I’ve seen quite a few impressive people out there.</p>
<p>Basically what I’m saying is, if you’re looking to mix and match fields, you <em>really</em> have to convince them this is what you want, and that you have convincing evidence that it’s what you want. The profile of someone wanting a master’s degree, interested in biotech, and keeping EE as an option open seems unrealistically suited for MIT, unless you develop very, very specific research interests which are best developed in the EECS program (i.e. you can be good enough, but not a fit for the program possibly).</p>
<p>The other thing is, if you’re set on receiving a terminal master’s, your mindset would probably be a little different as an undergrad than if you were most likely interested in a PhD.</p>
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<p>This is true. It is possible to drop out after 2 years with a master’s, but it is not done often at all, and it is not the purpose of the program. And, if you let on that this is your plan, you probably won’t be admitted.</p>