<p>Hi all!
I have recently been admitted to the AS&T graduate program in UC Berkeley. I heard that it’s a cross-disciplinary program enjoying professors from various fields (EECS, BME, MSE, ME, etc.) It has been belittled by some of my classmates 'cause it’s not pure EECS. Cross-disciplinary programs seems easier to get in. Before I made up my mind accepting it, I think it’s safe to ask its reputation, enrolling difficulty and prospect in employment. I will also be appreciating it if any one who has been enrolled can tell me more about their feelings and the PhD degree they obtained (is it titled after AS&T or individual departments) Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Congratulations - I also applied and it seems like a cool program to me. I remember reading on the website that its acceptance rate was low/competitive, but that may not mean much if it’s like accepting 5 out of 70 applicants. The research is all with legitimate professors, so I would hope that outsiders will recognize your accomplishments. But I can’t really say how other people perceive the programs.</p>
<p>(P.S. Because I also applied and I’m curious, would you mind sharing your stats and xp? I know that information won’t be useful or even actionable, but I’m curious. 
)</p>
<p>Well, they are associated with some of the really legit EE faculty (like Eli Yablonovitch). I’ve never heard of the program before (I applied EECS to Berkeley) but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. It’s hard to go wrong with grad school at UCB.</p>
<p>Thank very much~. I can share it with you and I hope it can help.
Institution: Zhejiang University (with 1st ranking optical engineering undergrad. program in China)
GPA 3.99/4.0 (Overall) 4.0/4.0 (Major). 92.96/100 (Percentile)
Ranking 1/127 (in the department) and 1/224 (in an honorable program called Mixed Honors Class)</p>
<p>TOEFL: 112 with speaking 22 (sorry for that but I think I am better in reality)
GRE: 550,800,3.5 very mediocre but AS&T only cares for Q</p>
<p>XP: various research experience in campus and one summer research experience in UCLA.
One paper submitted only
I think Berkeley, unlike Caltech or MIT, cares a lot about your study and potential instead of publications and others. That’s a very cool attitude toward its potential students.</p>
<p>Thanks. But one problem will be the funding. funding for Cross disciplinary programs are more difficult than inside each department themselves. And although there are great elite professors, I still don’t know if you can just go join whoever’s group you like the most or you will be kicked out of the way because PhD students from the department where the professor belongs may need the position and they have higher priorities.</p>
<p>Professors take the students they want. I don’t think department matters that much, honestly.</p>
<p>Cross-disciplinary programs are not any easier to get in. As lizzardfire mentioned, professors take the students they want, so the same evaluation process applies.</p>
<p>Hi, there,</p>
<p>Congratulations! I’m also an admitted AS&T student, personally I think we have better opportunities than the regular EECS people, since we can take whatever courses that we think benefits us the best. I’m leaning towards joining AS&T in the fall. </p>
<p>Btw, have you received any admission letter/package in writing? I haven’t received got anything in paper yet, just official Pdf admission letters and financial offer letter. How about you? </p>
<p>The April 15th is getting near, and I have packages from other programs for almost 1.5 months while I have no package or anything in writing from UCB. Can anybody who is in UCB help me with some information regarding this? Does the school usually deal with admissions this way? I will really appreciate any comments or advices!</p>
<p>I got my official offer on paper from a professor when I visited. I think emailed PDFs are just as legitimate, and they may not plan to mail you anything. If you’re worried about it, just email them and ask.</p>
<p>P.S. It’s cool we’ve got 3 of the 8 (ish?) admits on this forum.</p>
<p>Also, to answer the OP (even though I know it’s stale), I remember now that there’s a professor at MIT(Tonio Buonassisi) who graduated from the AS&T program some years ago. So clearly, the interdisciplinary nature of the program will not limit your options.</p>