<p>what is my chance to MIT, PhD in chemical engineering</p>
<p>Current undergraduate senior at Georgia Institute of Technology
GPA:3.9
Major GPA:4.0
GRE: Verbal(610), Math(760), Writing(3.5)
Internet based TOEFL(108 out of 120)</p>
<p>near 3 years undergraduate research experience in a microfluidic research group(Dr. Hang Lu)</p>
<p>three good recommendations</p>
<p>Two publications:</p>
<p>My name is Boyang Zhang</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Boyang, Zhang<em>, Alison M. Hirsch</em>, and Hang Lu, Physical Review E, 2009, Single-field Three-dimensional Epiflourescent Particle Imaging in Complex Flow System, In Press *equal contribution</p></li>
<li><p>Alison M. Hirsch, Catherine A. Rivet, Boyang Zhang, Melissa L. Kemp and Hang Lu, Lab Chip, 2009, Parallel Multi-time Point Cell Stimulation and Lysis on-chip for Studying Early Signaling Events in T Cell Activation</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I just got rejected by Berkeley, so I am really worried.
How is my chance for MIT?</p>
<p>It would seem like you have a decent shot, but the top schools are tricky. It comes down to competitiveness between a handful of people for a very specific opening. The fact that Berkeley turned you down is probably not a big deal for that very reason - MIT makes it’s own decision.</p>
<p>I also checked the chemical engineering departmental website at MIT. It seems that if you also had your secondary education tutored in English, then TOEFL could be waived as well (which might not be the case for you, as yours was probably in Chinese).</p>
<p>As for your application, especially to tip top schools, I think the only somewhat shaky aspects are your writing and quant scores. You should be fine though, if you also applied to other “easier” decent schools as your safer bets.</p>
<p>I really want to get in MIT. other than berkeley I applied to Georgia Tech and some other schools outside of the US.</p>
<p>So far, I got in university of Cambridge(don’t know about the scholarship yet), University of Toronto (with full funding), Georgia Tech(with full funding), Imperial College(I should get an offer, but not sure about the funding yet)</p>
<p>How would you guys rank these schools? which one should be my next choice?</p>
<p>Still my top choice is MIT. It’s kinda unexpected. I thought having a first author paper is so important. I worked really hard for that first author paper. If I knew GRE is so important too, I would study even harder and get really good score on GRE. I am so disappointed when I see that GRE would weight more than a first author paper.</p>
<p>Your GRE scores are good and the schools you applied to are great schools. There are many factors when it comes to admissions and there are many applicants. You shouldn’t feel disappointed.</p>
<p>Well, the GRE isn’t terribly important. What I implied was that it could’ve been ideal if you had at least 4.0 for writing and near 800 on the quant, for the tip top schools you were applying.</p>
<p>As for where to go should you get rejected by MIT, it all depends on where you want work presumably. What’s your reason to obtain a PhD in chemical engineering?</p>
<p>Your GRE’s are pretty good (although a 780+ Q would help), but that 3.5 AW hurts you. How much? At most schools I would say it is not an issue, but some really hot students apply to MIT and sometimes it is the small stuff that makes the difference. In other words - everything is important at this level. Bear in mind that several other schools admitted you, so it might not be a deciding factor, it might just be “fit”. MIT is notorious with several departments taking a long time to notify people, often not until February or March. They know they are generally the top choice, very very few people turn them down, so they do not feel compelled to rush - they don’t need to leave time to fill the spot if you say no.</p>
<p>Of the schools you mentioned, I am not too familiar with Imperial College, but all of the rest are excellent choices. I would consider it irresponsible to suggest one for you, as that is a very individual decision. Visit them (if possible) and see which programs, departments, and faculty you like the best.</p>
<p>Wow, a truly unimpressive candidate. You seem nice, but I wouldn’t count on anything with the information you provided. Did you pick a safety school?</p>
<p>Your GPA is fine. Instead of asking students on CC, why don’t you call the department and ask the faculty directly? This is a small, tiny group and more than likely someone can give you an idea of where you stand if they have met already. Showing interest is not going to hurt. It’s very normal to do so. I should also add that the Berkeley decision tells you nothing about the MIT decision. And U of T would be a great fall back…lots of opportunities after that. </p>
<p>And don’t post your name. Geez…you have no diea how small this world is! If someone googles you, will you show up here, do you want them reading your posts?</p>