Can this get me into MIT EECS, Stanford EECS or MIT (Aeronauticals in Communications)

[Eyohimself]

Hi everyone,

Just sent in my applications for the fall 2008 PhD applications to MIT (EECS), MIT( AERO) and Stanford (EE). Do you think I stand a chance in these universities? Or are they too ambitious? This is how my profile looks like.

GRE: Q 780 V 630 AWA 3.5 TOEFL iBT: 107

GPA: 4.94/5.00 from the top telecommunications university in Russia.

Research: Summer 2007-- Research intern at Nortel Networks, Russia
Summer 2006-- Research intern at an industrial firm ( not too good a research so didn't emphasize it in my application)

Presently, an RA in the Communications Research lab of my University in collaboration with a famous research centre in Russia[I wonder if it is known outside]

Haven't published yet.

Shall get a very great reco from one of my research supervisors. The others, I can't really say. I wonder what they will write when their command of the English language is not too good.

What do you think? Do I have a chance at these schools? I also applied to UT at Austin and U of Toronto. I need a safety school but all information I get here in Russia is about the top US schools.As such, I can't really make a pick.

Besides, I was motivated to apply after the professors I contacted in each of these schools replied positively, encouraging me to apply. But as at then, my AWA result was not yet released. I got demoralized by it when I saw a mere 3.5. Would this low AWA have an adverse effect on me? I am, however, a bit disappointed with my GRE quant score but very satisfied with the Verbal score- I couldn't imagine getting more.

Please your candid suggestions are highly solicited so I decide on where to apply. Browsing through this forum has been of immense help.

[rider of rohan]

When it comes to MIT or Stan, one can never give a definite answer. Your profile looks good, thats for sure. Your AWA is not going to be a factor at MIT because they dont need GRE scores. For Stan, probably, but other aspects of your profile might balance it out. Moral of the story - No one can tell if you can make it to MIT/Stan. Just wait and pray!

Regarding UT Austin and U Toronto, these two are also very good schools with a lot of competition. And you are right about applying to a safety school. Try USnews or Edulix. You will certainly find something there, especially the latter!

Best of Luck!

[Eyohimself]

Rider of Rohan,

Thanks for your reply and the link is very helpful. I just have to keep my fingers crossed and pray for a befitting outcome.

[gradwannabe]

I'm planning to apply for the following in 2009:
CS at MIT/Berkeley/Stanford/Cornell
Operations Research at MIT/Stanford/Cornell/Georgia Tech/U Mich

My profile:
* B.Eng in Computer Engineering Top 6-10% from a top University in Singapore
* M.Eng in Operations Research at Cornell University, will complete in May 2008, CGPA=3.68, Major GPA=3.725
* GRE: Q 750 V 560 AWA 4.5 TOEFL iBT: 108
* 2 Conference papers published, 2 journal papers to be published in leading CS journals.
* Recommendations: 3 Professors, 1 Endowed Professor.

Looking for funding in the form of fellowship, RA or TA.


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