Columbia MSEE FAQ:
2.7 How do I get into the Doctoral program?

Ph.D. students in the department typically arrive from three sources:

• Some students specify the joint MS-PhD program when they first apply to Columbia, and are accepted into that program. Then, if all goes well, they transfer into the Ph.D. program directly upon finishing the requirements for their MS degree.
• Some students applying to the graduate program already have an MS degree (for instance from a different school), and, when they arrive, begin their Ph.D. studies immediately.
• Some students currently in the MS EE program at Columbia will apply for the Ph.D. program while they are here. Technically, this is no different from anyone else applying for the Ph.D. program. However, the fact that you are here (and likely already known to the faculty) can make a big difference.

I can't speak for other faculty, but in my lab the majority of Ph.D. students came in via the 3rd route. It is much easier to judge the strengths and compatibility of a student after you have worked with them in a class, for instance as part of the MS program.

If you have entered Columbia on the terminal MS program (i.e. not the MS/Ph.D. program) but now think you would be interested in staying on for a Ph.D., there are two things you should do:

• Find a faculty supervisor. Acceptance into the Ph.D. program is usually based on the request of a particular faculty member who is intending to supervise (and fund) you. By the time you apply to the Ph.D. program, it is common that you have a sufficiently clear idea of your area of interest to at least know which faculty member you want to work with. And if you are here, you should discuss applying to the Ph.D. program directly with that faculty, since they will probably be able to tell you straight out whether or not they will accept you into the program.
• Take the doctoral qualify exam (DQE). Although as a terminal MS student you are not obliged to take the DQE until you actually begin the Ph.D. program, it will at least strengthen your application in the eyes of faculty if you have already passed this hurdle. Many students also find it gets harder to keep up to speed on the broad range of topics covered in the DQE as their BS degree fades into the past, so sooner is better.

Previous: 2.6 How can I get help with internships/finding a job? - Next: 2.8 What is the Doctoral Qualifying Exam?
Back to Columbia MSEE FAQ index

Generated by build-faq-index on Wed Sep 12 17:45:24 EDT 2007