Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

schottky · 03-25-2012 08:20 PM

0			0

Hi,

I have an admit from TU Delft MSc. microelectronics and waiting for KU Leuven also. I have been granted an NXP scholarship from Delft.

I have to decide between two, and need a little help here.

PhD:
Since I am definetely planning a PhD, NXP scholarship is not a good option for me. I mean, NXP is damn good, I would like to work there after PhD, but I have to work at NXP for 3 years after MSc. After 3 years of work, PhD would be hard to get, isn't it? Also, after a MSc. or PhD at Leuven, working at NXP will not be hard if I have an demanding profile. So, what is the meaning of putting myself in such a position? What if I don't want to work at NXP after MSc.? That's a confusing point.

Money:
NXP scholarship covers only tuition fees of TU Delft. On the other hand, Leuven has ony 575 Euros/year tuition fees. So, practically both options are same in costs (living costs are very likely too). However, I need to pay 12500 Euros tuition fee + approx. 10000 euros living costs cash beginning of every year for Delft and they will pay me 25000 euros scholarship monthly. This is very strange, and it will put me a hard position because I need to take a loan for this huge money. After this they will pay me but, this is like when I gave the university a loan !? Leuven is cheap, I can easily cover my costs without taking loan.

Research:
Both universities offer very charming courses. For analog VLSI, KU Leuven has a way better profile. But, TU Delft is good also. Both have good industrial relations. The only thing is: MSc thesis covers 1 year at TU Delft, however, at Leuven, it is only 5-6 months. There is a professor who is willing to hire me as an RA at TU Delft, and it is possible to get involved in a great project. Leuven is more coursework based. But, let's think like this: a PhD at Leuven would be better for me -because of reputed professors-, and research work there is a class higher than Delft. This is the most complicated point. Which would be better for me? I don't know.

Other stuff:
They are both small (90000 population) and livable cities. Leuven is a little good wather condition, Delft has canals etc. Leuven has IMEC, Netherlands has NXP. There's no particular distinction between two.

So, what should I do? I was looking for an NXP scholar but not found any active members. I would like to hear from seniors on my situation. Thanks.

schottky · 03-27-2012 02:20 AM

0			0

bounce

schottky · 03-30-2012 01:04 AM

0			0

not any reply Sad

krazzycool · 03-30-2012 04:29 AM

0			0

Check up whether it is possible to defer.There are ppl who had gone on HSP scholarship to TuDelft for MSc, but then continued with their PhD. Also isn't PhD considered to be a job ? I mean employed by the univ ?

Soching · 03-30-2012 03:20 PM

0			0

Ahhh..Schottky..you're in trouble again ( but for good reason Laughing

).

IMHO you should go to TU-Delft, my reasoning is -

1. From my interactions with a guy ( doing Phd in KULeuven) there is little scope for Masters student to be involved in valuable research ( u mentioned it correctly 5-6 months, difficult to churn out good paper). Getting a PhD without a good publication looks a difficult task to me with 4/4 GPA also.
FYI - this guy is doing great research & published an ISSCC paper also.

2. Somehow I feel the coursework at KULeuven is very hectic & may not be of that much use. You will say fundamentals are required to do research but I will say your research topic will give you depth not breadth.
In-comparison Delft has amazingly impressive coursework plan. I must say Delft has one of the best coursework options for Masters student.

3. Funding during graduate studies can ease your life alot.

Now coming to your PhD target - I would say, you don't know how your thinking, perspective towards research will change after joining grad school ( happens in majority of cases - fact not assumption Laughing

).
Moreover I heard cases where people join a company and work for PhD through same company i.e they work on industrial research problem in-collaboration with university. I interacted with a guys who worked for his Phd through Broadcomm.

I think that is too much teaching from my side Brick wall

schottky · 03-30-2012 05:54 PM

0			0

Thank you Soching.

You are right on all topics. I will be able to get an "silicon" after my MSc. thesis and this would be very valuable. And the most important point is, I may think different 2 years after, and research work at Delft may give me more opportunities. Course structure of Delft is very good, and it is possible to work at Texas Instruments (delft or germany) or NXP for thesis. I heard from a senior at NXP (worked on thesis at there also) and he said I can earn 750 euros/month for thesis, and I will end up with a tape-out. Publication possibility is a plus.

On the other hand, Leuven is look like more livable city. A bigger university and social sciences etc. That senior said life at Delf is boring. Also, there is Steyaert (I suppose you know him) and that makes me very confused. I have a doubt that I can find an opportunity to do a PhD with a good professor like him. But after a MSc at Delft, my situation probably will not be bad as I think.

BTW ( krazzycool ) I have confirmed that there is not a strict condition for woring at NXP after MSc for NXP scholarship holders. He said nothing is mandatory and I can continue my PhD at anywhere I want. That relaxed me. The only thing is, I had to pay approx. 22000 Euros in cash to the university -they pay me back after, monthly-.
That will be hard for my family since they have not any savings. I am questioning if it would worth to this.

krazzycool · 03-31-2012 01:26 AM

0			0

My guess is that 22,000 euros is the living expenses for 2 yrs in Delft. If true,it is quite surprising that the univ is asking you the deposit the whole amount at once and not just the 1st yr living expense.

Maybe u can check with 'santoshgokku'. He is studying in TuDelft and he too had received a faculty scholarship in 2010. I am not sure whether he is active anymore in this community. Try contacting him by mail.

schottky · 03-31-2012 03:39 PM

0			0

Actually, university didn't asked me for anything. I read on previous topics for TU Delft. Since my scholarship will be paid monthly to me, I have to cover first year's tuition fee + living costs first, or what?

That was 12500 euros (tuition fee) + 9600 euros (living costs) last year as I read here.

Thanks krazzycool, I'll send an email to santoshgokku.

jade246 · 05-06-2012 05:26 PM

0			0

I too have an admit from TUD with NXP scholarship and still waiting for a decision from KUL. My research interest happens to be RF/Microwave ...so most probable i would prefer KUL. I have heard TUD is good in VLSI but when it comes to ANALOG there are only few universities across the world that excels and KUL is one of them .

NXP scholarship may sound more inviting but as you @schotty pointed it out , both KUL and TUD would still cost the same.

anyway KUL decisions will be out very soon .. all the best Very Happy

http://www.edulix.com/unisearch/user.php?uid=135936

I have confirmed that there is not a strict condition for woring at NXP after MSc for NXP scholarship holders. He said nothing is mandatory and I can continue my PhD at anywhere I want. That relaxed me. The only thing is, I had to pay approx. 22000 Euros in cash to the university -they pay me back after, monthly-.
That will be hard for my family since they have not any savings. I am questioning if it would worth to this.
[/quote]

you have to pay 22000 - 12500 to the university i guess.. Have u received any mail from IO regarding revised gauantee payment from TUD ??

schottky · 05-06-2012 07:33 PM

0			0

hi jade246 , congrats. if you decide to go Delft, I would be glad to meet you.

I have asked this on delftulip, and a IO officer said me that EEMCS faculty will be sent scholarship holder lists at mid-May. he said it would be couple of days to process this list on database and we will be informed aboud guarantee payment around 15-20th of May.

I'm worried if we could find a decend place to stay if pay the guarantee payment late. He said there will be no problem, but you know, things can be bad.

I have prefered TUD over KUL, because their coursework is way better organized than KUL. Also the thesis is 1 year at Delft but at KUL it is only 1/2 year.

BTW, I received an mail from KUL saying that "we don't know if you are selected or not". it was weird, but IO of KUL said me that my file is at faculty but they didn't declared the results. What a shame.

I forgot to mention, my area is AMS, and mostly data converters. For RF, Raynaert is the best at EU and KUL would be better for you I think. But I have seen pretty good MSc. thesis done in TUD also mostly supervised by J.R. Long and Bogdan Staszewski.

you can search all thesises here: http://repository.tudelft.nl/

ProfX86 · 05-06-2012 07:42 PM

0			0

schottky You should hear from K.U.Leuven "very soon". At least that's what they told a friend of mine last Thursday who applied to their Master in Materials Engineering. Maybe next week, who knows! I was accepted into KUL on April 30th. If you get accepted into and decide on KUL, maybe I'll meet you there! Smile

Good luck!

schottky · 05-06-2012 08:11 PM

0			0

Oh waiting to hear the results. I will wrote an e-mail to both faculty IO and general IO tomorrow.

Actually, heavy course program feared me Smile

I'm balanced 90% torwards TU Delft. I have couple of good friends KUL, I will visit there frequently.

Our Services

Popular Posts

Information

Top Members

Threaded Mode \| Linear Mode TU Delft vs KU Leuven \| Analog & Mixed-Signal VLSI
Author	Message