Applying for PhD

[dkondru]

Hi folks,
This is Dinakar. I've graduated with MS in EE(VLSI) from Clemson University with 3.5 GPA. I've a published thesis and a couple of IEEE publications. My GRE score that got me my masters admit will no longer be valid after Jan 2007. I'm applying for PhD for Autumn 2007(Sept). I want to pursue my PhD in a school that is better than Clemson, in or around San Francisco Bay Area or Southern Calif. Area.
Schools in San Francisco Bay Area: Stanford, UC Berkeley,Cal Tech, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz
Schools in SoCal: UCLA, USC, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara.

I believe Stanford is the toughest to get into. Can any score get me into Stanford? Is it atleast realistic to aim for a Stanford admit?
Does a PhD admit guarantee assitantship?
If Stanford is impossible, can I aim for other schools I mentioned and expect assistantship?

Right now I'm preparing for GRE and I'm planning to give GRE and apply for PhD towards the end of october. If some one can answer my questions before that time I'll be so thankful.

Thanks again,
Dinakar.

[sumit007]

Hi.. wanted to ask .. what was ur GRE score back then ? And also were u given any financial aid for MS ?

As for ur questions.. I think PhD admission (after a MS degree) takes the following into consideration in random order:
1. Reputation of uni. where u did Masters
2. More weightage will be put on ur UG GPA than Masters GPA.
3. Type of Research work u did in ur masters
4. Publications/conferences.
5. GRE

Usually, PhD admissions will come with some sort of assistantship.

[dkondru]

My GRE score was 2140(V-Q-A 600-790-750). I didn't get any financial aid with admission but I got a TA after a couple of semesters.
Thanks a lot for the reply.
-Dinakar

[bovp2000]

You should try. Noone can tell you really...

[peiann]

first off, cal tech is in so cal =). You should definitely apply to Stanford. IEEE publications are nice (were you first author?) I personally think your GRE scores are high enough. If you're planning on taking them again get an 800 in math. When you're dealing with schools like Stanford, UCB, Cal Tech the most important things are statement of purpose, recommendations and research. You seem to have great research experience so make sure your statement of purpose reflects that as well as why you want to go to a particular school and your research interests. I personally think grades / gre aren't that important. The admin probably looks at those first to see if you're in the autoreject pile..but after that when the adcom looks at them it'll be the three things I mentioned first. Good Luck!

[FedUp]

Originally Posted by peiann

first off, cal tech is in so cal =). You should definitely apply to Stanford. IEEE publications are nice (were you first author?) I personally think your GRE scores are high enough. If you're planning on taking them again get an 800 in math. When you're dealing with schools like Stanford, UCB, Cal Tech the most important things are statement of purpose, recommendations and research. You seem to have great research experience so make sure your statement of purpose reflects that as well as why you want to go to a particular school and your research interests. I personally think grades / gre aren't that important. The admin probably looks at those first to see if you're in the autoreject pile..but after that when the adcom looks at them it'll be the three things I mentioned first. Good Luck!

I totally agree

[Derrex]

Originally Posted by dkondru

Hi folks,
This is Dinakar. I've graduated with MS in EE(VLSI) from Clemson University with 3.5 GPA. I've a published thesis and a couple of IEEE publications. My GRE score that got me my masters admit will no longer be valid after Jan 2007. I'm applying for PhD for Autumn 2007(Sept). I want to pursue my PhD in a school that is better than Clemson, in or around San Francisco Bay Area or Southern Calif. Area.
Schools in San Francisco Bay Area: Stanford, UC Berkeley,Cal Tech, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz
Schools in SoCal: UCLA, USC, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara.

I believe Stanford is the toughest to get into. Can any score get me into Stanford? Is it atleast realistic to aim for a Stanford admit?
Does a PhD admit guarantee assitantship?
If Stanford is impossible, can I aim for other schools I mentioned and expect assistantship?

Right now I'm preparing for GRE and I'm planning to give GRE and apply for PhD towards the end of october. If some one can answer my questions before that time I'll be so thankful.

Thanks again,
Dinakar.

You have a shot at Stanford, but probably without AID. Generally, you won't get any aid at Stanford until you pass quals, which is generally a year in. Since you have done your masters, focus on your publications and research. Your masters gpa is a bit low, but it can be offset depending on where you got published.

[dkondru]

Thanks a lot folks !
Dinakar