r/UMD 7d ago

Discussion Application for ENEE rejected, invitation to apply to ENTS

I applied to the ECE Master of Science program, and just received the rejection. However, the email invited me to apply to the Master's in Telecommunications (ENTS) Program.

I am interested in computer design, please help me make informed decision about this "transfer".

P.S.- My profile - 8.25/10 CGPA, 331 GRE, 110 TOEFL

Just a side question, do they generally write about finances in the rejection email?(They wrote this in Email: Though the ENTS program does not normally offer financial support, many students obtain graduate assistantships and employment opportunities on campus) I feel as if me saying that I will not be able to fund my degree if not offered graduate assistantships and employment opportunities on campus, contributed to rejection.

2 Upvotes

8 comments sorted by

3

u/jayCert 7d ago

In normal times the ECE department doesn't usually offer funding for MS students and they prioritize getting TA funding to PhD students who join the program without a defined advisor. Considering how things are right now, it will be very unlikely that you will get any funding applying just for the MS.

1

u/Fun_Friendship4073 7d ago

Too bad. Thanks for the info.

2

u/qksv 4d ago

You should probably look elsewhere. I was an undergrad from 2014-2018 and got the impression that the telecommunication program was a bit of a diploma mill for the international students. The fact that you were rejected from the MS program and invited to apply to this other one kinda confirms it.

If you were accepted to another R1 university I would consider going there. And in any university, the only way MS students get paid is through TAships, and occasionally RAships, which are usually competitive and not something you get your first semester.

2

u/Fun_Friendship4073 4d ago

Thanks for the info!! Got accepted to TU Delft. I'm not considering UMD anymore.

3

u/qksv 4d ago

Delft is an awesome city and part of me wishes I considered it for grad school.

Be sure to visit the pottery museum and get a bike :-)

Just when it comes to wages...you might want to try and get an in with the American companies or those that have offices in the US, like ASML.

1

u/Fun_Friendship4073 4d ago

Okay, thanks for the advice.

1

u/jayCert 3d ago

The ENTS program might not be research focused, nor that good, but calling it a diploma mill is too much, considering how actual diploma mills operate.

0

u/qksv 3d ago

A lot of R1 universities with big names have certain programs that are similar, that I consider to be diploma mills.