<p>I have to make a decision. I have offers for a fully funded MSE at the top school for that prgm (incidentally the same as my undergrad school) and to a PhD prgm at a prgm that is like #10 or 11.</p>
<p>Now, being an undergrad at my current prgm has made a big impact as far as getting internships and job offers and I’m afraid that this new school where I’m getting into PhD could potentially not do the same. </p>
<p>However, my end goal is to get a PhD anyway, and the prgm that I got into is REALLY interesting and the project is really fantastic. </p>
<p>Now, the project for the MSE is also very cool and I’m sure I’ll get a lot out of it and potentially get into a top PhD after it. </p>
<p>Should I go the MSE route at my current school (#1 at this prgm) and apply to PhD in 2 yrs or take the PhD now at the other lower ranked school?</p>
<p>When is a #10 or #11 ranked university only an ok program? If you were fortunate to land in the top 15 you going to probably the best schools in most fields. What is your overall goal? Is it to go into academia or industry? For industry, you can pretty much go to any Big Ten school (MICH, OSU, Purdue,etc), or any school with a reputable MSE/ ABET Engineering program and land in a Fortune 500 upon graduation with either degeree (MS or PhD). If you want academia, then go directly into the PhD program, because you have to stike when the opportunity is presented to you. You may not make it into a better school next year. Take the PhD program. Opportunity for your ultimate goal is staring you in the face, and you just need to take it (only if it is fully funded).</p>
<p>“Ranking” shound’t factor into your decision here. A Top 50 school (hell a top 100 school) is still a good school. If you’re concerned about ranking, look at the alumin list and where they have landed as well as their job resources ranking; because realistically that is what matters at the end of the day.</p>
<p>As for you, either is a viable option. If you stay in the masters program, you’re still working with people who know you well, so LOR’s are not going to be a problem nor will admissions. Most likely you’ll also be able to hone in more easily what your research focus will be.</p>
<p>If you go the PhD route, you will get more face time with individuals who will be your thesis advisors, and will be able to foster that relationship SOONER rather than later.</p>
<p>Can you pay for that Ph.D. program and/or at which point would you be likely to get funding once enrolled there?</p>
<p>If you complete the MSE, where you are, what is the experience of your professors in helping their MSE grads find admission to fully funded Ph.D. programs?</p>
<p>PhD prgm is fully funded. My MSE is also fully funded. Both from the start! PhD also has a stipend associated with it! </p>
<p>MSE is #1 in the field, profs are very well known and grads from MIT/Stanford/etc, and can perhaps help me get there if I do well! The MSE school has a very strong reputation. </p>
<p>The PhD school is known, but not that well known (for eg is not on the “CC Top Universities” on this forum). It’s like 10 or 11 ranked my US News for my field. </p>
<p>My end goal is Academia so that’s why I think going to a Top University in my field can help in terms of faculty positions. </p>
<p>The number 10 and 11 research universities are two little known colleges - Duke and Dartmouth. The number 10 and 11 ranked universities for Materials are Penn State and Uni. Florida - again, two relative unknowns.</p>
<p>Methinks you need to re-evaulate your value system.</p>
<p>If you are receiving funding for a MS - take it and run! That’s preetty much unheard of–
You can reapply elsewhere to PHD programs - including the school granting the MS.
your undergrad degree becomes less relevant once your MS is finished.</p>