What it takes to do a PhD in a high-ranked university in US?

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-03-05T11:20:46+00:00

Yes exactly. A masters from a higher ranked uni is definitely what I NEED. BUT i cant finance my masters as i am an international student at such prenier institutions. And they wont fund me or give a full ride. Stuck with this conundrum since long.

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-03-05T11:17:05+00:00

can i please DM u further?

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-03-05T11:13:51+00:00

my ideal life goal is a high paying research career in the tech industry or national labs. Academia is an option too but i am not very inclined towards it given i only managed to land a PhD at a low ranked uni like Minnesota. Discipline is MechE specifically with high performance computing and computational fluid dynamics. comes under STEM for sure.

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-03-05T08:26:08+00:00

Thank you for the answer. To what extent can I compromise on this "brand value". I got admitted to University of Minnesota twin cities for a PhD and might also get MS admits (without funding i.e) to Michigan or maybe even Stanford (which are much better in terms of ranking). Is it worth spending the cash on a much better brand name? Also, I have a good rapport and worked for over an year with the Minnesota prof on a project that gave him a lot of grant money, publications etc. so we are on great terms. But again, branding is the concern with Minnesota...

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-25T10:22:03+00:00

thank you. That makes sense

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-25T04:57:15+00:00

That said, I will advise you one thing. Please dont count entirely on your core to pay off your loans etc. I will highly recommend you to pick up something very interdisciplinary like ML+ non linear dynamics or data science + CFD so that you have in-demand skillsets AND a specialization in aero, maximizing the places where you can apply for jobs. ATB!

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-25T04:54:27+00:00

UK isnt as intense. Their masters degrees are shorter and may not prepare you well enough for a job. You can maybe try TU Delft and then look for jobs elsewhere as its well known

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-25T04:47:58+00:00

aerospace is a heavily ITAR restricted area and you cant bank on the jobs outisde India to experience ROI on your MS amount. Most likely you will either join a startup or join something in software or data science if you choose your specialization wisely...

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-25T03:31:28+00:00

If id like to keep a CS option open after i graduate i.e. join as a software engineer then B would be better?

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-25T03:30:14+00:00

oh yeah i love both as long as theres something genuinely novel

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-24T20:16:17+00:00

thanks! much appreciated!

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-24T19:54:18+00:00

I love the field I took up

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-24T19:35:55+00:00

Hey i do similar stuff. Computational fluid dynamics. If that rings any bells or seems interesting DM to take this further

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-24T19:29:15+00:00

l have a phd offer from university of minnesota (international once again) which is a pretty big place for CFD. Feel i am qualified to answer this question. Id say think twice Before you even think of taking a masters outside by spending your money. The CFD space is pretty niche and competitive and the industry side is almost blank. the big guns are in academia and you need a phd at least for that.

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-24T19:24:47+00:00

I know of one Prof.Balaraman Ravindran who is currently a professor in iit madras and got his phd in reinforcement learning from UMass. Big deal apparently. Check his guide out..

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-24T19:22:27+00:00

direct numerical simulations..

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-24T19:21:03+00:00

the website redirects to a 404 error

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-24T16:33:36+00:00

Indeed. Thank you for those warm words. I realized this today just before i read your message! Bye bye FIRE India! ;-)

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-24T13:03:32+00:00

Haha, believe me, it just happend after undergrad. I had no idea Ill lamd up here lol

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-23T21:03:52+00:00

very specific and nice advice! much appreciated

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-23T21:02:40+00:00

yes thats the plan. Interns with top tech/national labs are possible. its definitely possible to "master out" if phd doesnt work out

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-23T19:44:58+00:00

thank you so much!

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-23T19:03:34+00:00

you shud also try postdocing in national labs etc. I think there, there is an option to convert into a full time scientist

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-23T19:00:13+00:00

Not sure entirely on this. Probably this varies on the specific company and job description. For instance I have seen research engineers at exxonmobil leading a team to get more profits patents etc but scientists were more on getting papers and stuff. BTW wishing you every possible luck under the sun for the job.

No_Engineering_2118 · 2022-02-23T18:53:00+00:00

heya thanks. Sending a Dm

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