What are some top universities for nuclear engineering programs?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges and considerations for applying to graduate programs in nuclear engineering, particularly for a participant with a lower academic record. Participants share their experiences, suggest universities, and discuss the application process.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about their academic performance and its impact on their chances of admission to nuclear engineering programs.
  • Several universities are suggested for nuclear engineering applications, including MIT, Texas A & M, Penn State, Florida, Illinois-Urbana, Missouri S & T, Ohio, and Michigan.
  • There is a mention of the "shotgun effect," which refers to applying to multiple schools to increase admission chances.
  • Another participant notes that Florida is no longer considered a top 10 program.
  • One participant shares that they have heard approximately 50-70 students apply to nuclear engineering master's programs each year.
  • Concerns are raised about the weight of academic rankings versus thesis/projects/coursework in the admissions process.
  • There is uncertainty regarding the number of applicants to nuclear engineering programs compared to more popular fields like mechanical or computer science engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of academic rankings in the admissions process, with some believing it plays a role while others emphasize the significance of thesis and coursework. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the number of applicants to nuclear engineering programs compared to other fields.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference varying experiences and perceptions about application statistics and the admissions process, indicating a lack of definitive data on applicant numbers and their implications.

vish22
Messages
33
Reaction score
1
Hey members,
I've taken the GRE lately and scored 311 (Q-161).
Well,I'm in my final year,doing Civil Engg. from Mumbai University and my acads are pretty much on the lower side(actually its pretty crap).And I wish to get into a nuclear engg. grad program.The thing is,I'm not sure what kind of universities I should be looking at.I mean,I know the top 5-10 for nuclear engg. programs and all,but I'm really unsure about the student enrollment in these universities for the NE program -the number of students applying and their relative scores with respect to other students applying in other branches.If the no. of students applying for NE say for top 10 univs. is pretty low then I know I got a good shot at getting in,but if they are high,and plenty in number,then its pretty much hopeless for me.
Anyways,could you guys give some cool universities for the NE program?

I went through the previous theads and got a good idea.But with my acads,I'm pretty much a hopeless case I think :frown:.I do loads of math(undergrad-grad) and physics though(undergrad-grad level) and I just know I can excel when it comes to topic likes thermal hydraulics,reactor physics,etc.I've even read much about them!I can never really get my head around structural engg. and all that in Civil and I wish to include this in my SOP.But is it worth a shot?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, a few I am applying to for nuclear are the following:

MIT, Texas A & M, Penn st., Florida, Illinois-Urbana, Missouri S & T, Ohio and Michigan. Those are all good programs and with only 3 (Missouri, Florida and Ohio) being below the top 10. Don't worry, you did better on the quant than I did and I am applying. Just keep your head up and use the shotgun effect when applying.
 
Last edited:
nukapprentice said:
Well, a few I am applying to for nuclear are the following:

MIT, Texas A & M, Penn st., Florida, Illinois-Urbana, Missouri S & T, Ohio and Michigan. Those are all good programs and with only 2 (Missouri and Ohio) being below the top 10. Don't worry, you did better on the quant than I did and I am applying. Just keep your head up and use the shotgun effect when applying.

Florida isn't on the top 10 anymore.
 
Thanks and changed my original response.
 
nukapprentice said:
.. and use the shotgun effect when applying.

shotgun effect??Please explain?:confused:

And damn,you must have really good acads and other stuffs if you're applying to those sort of universities.
Also,any idea as to how many students apply in NE masters programs across USA?(In terms of percentage of students applying for a more famous-lets say mechanical or comp. sci.-branch?)
 
Sure,

The shotgun effect just means that you apply to a bunch of schools in order to increase your chances to get into a program. As for myself, I went to a highly ranked school for my master's so I think that when I apply for a PhD program, that fact will outweigh my mediocre GPA and sub par GRE. Unfortunately, I cannot help you with regards to how many students apply to NE masters programs across USA.
 
vish22 said:
shotgun effect??Please explain?:confused:

And damn,you must have really good acads and other stuffs if you're applying to those sort of universities.
Also,any idea as to how many students apply in NE masters programs across USA?(In terms of percentage of students applying for a more famous-lets say mechanical or comp. sci.-branch?)

I've talked to my professors in my NE department about how many applications and it's usually around 50-70 students apply every year. Don't let this hold you back from applying.

nukapprentice said:
Thanks and changed my original response.

Sorry didn't mean to sound rude. They are rebuilding their program quite nicely and I would expect to see them in the top 10 again in the next few years.

nukapprentice said:
Sure,

The shotgun effect just means that you apply to a bunch of schools in order to increase your chances to get into a program. As for myself, I went to a highly ranked school for my master's so I think that when I apply for a PhD program, that fact will outweigh my mediocre GPA and sub par GRE. Unfortunately, I cannot help you with regards to how many students apply to NE masters programs across USA.

Honestly, I doubt your school's rank will be weighed that much. I feel your masters thesis/projects/coursework will outweigh your GRE scores.
 
Thermalne,

Oh, don't worry, I didn't think it sounded rude. About the ranking, I've been told by a few people that ranking does help somewhat in the admission process, but who knows. I do agree with you however about the weight of thesis/projects/coursework and hope that will be the deciding factor for me getting in.
 

Similar threads

Engineering Switching from Nuclear Engineering to Physics
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Engineering What Are the Job Opportunities for Nuclear Engineers?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Programs Pros and Cons of Nuclear Engineering
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Programs From a Nuclear Engineering BS, will I be able to do MS & PhD in Physics?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Engineering Nuclear engineering with aerospace background
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
What's the best major between Physics & Chemistry for entering MS in Nuclear Engineering?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Job Skills Tips for a Physics BS going into a systems engineering job?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Other Can a Physics Graduate Successfully Transition to Nuclear Engineering?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Engineering Biomedical Engineering vs. Nuclear Applications?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Engineering The Truth About Nuclear Engineering vs. Physics (Employability)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
11K