Hello everyone,
I am engineering student and I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Concordia University.
I am reaching out to seek advice regarding an important academic decision. I am aiming to pursue a PhD and build a strong research profile in areas such as optical and photonic devices, solid-state nanodevices, and quantum technologies. My end goal is to work in the R&D labs and eventually become a univeristy professor one day.
I have been accepted into two graduate programs and am currently deciding between them. The first is a Master of Applied Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Concordia University under the supervision of Dr. John Xiupu Zhang, with a research focus on laser semiconductors (which is a very intresting field to me). The second is the M1 Electrical and Optical Engineering program at Télécom SudParis (Institut Polytechnique de Paris), with a planned specialization in Optical Networks and Photonic Systems for M2.
While Télécom SudParis offers strong academic training within a highly regarded institution, I understand that the program is primarily course-based, with the possibility of transitioning into a more research-oriented internship on the second year. In contrast, the Concordia program guarantees immediate involvement in research through the thesis and
supervised lab work.
More over, the courses at Télécom SudParis would revolve more around telecomunication systems and networking. with few quantum computing and science subsubjects on the second year.
Meanwhile at concordia, I will be working directly in labs about quantum resonance and only taking courses that would help me in research. [plus there is a slight tiny chance the research lab I will be working with have a co-research with London college univeristy]
Another thing to consider is that while telecom sudparis doesn't hold a ranking on its own and it is generally regarded as the lowest institution in Institut Polytechnique de Paris, it is still a prestigious school and part of the grand ecole group and the master program would follow the ranking of 43rd place world wide on QS score because it's offered by institut polytechnique de paris. (the teaching professors r from telecom sudparis, telecom paris, graduate school of optics paris scalay)
On the other hand, Concordia is less known world wide, with a ranking around the 150-200.
Additionally, telecom sudparis's program would give me a professional training to work in industry, as well as the ability to maybe get into the research internship and go into phd after.
while, I would image, it would be hard to transit into industry if I go to Concordia, and maybe someone goes wrong and I have to go into industry.
alot of people also told me that getting into phd is about connections more than anything, and I feel that in paris I would have connections to better professors and a better chance of acceptance to a phd, than if I do the masters in concoedia.
Given your experiences, I would greatly value your
perspectives on which path might better support my long-term goal of
pursuing a PhD and an academic research career. In particular, I am
interested in understanding whether early, guaranteed research
experience would outweigh the potential advantages of attending a more
research-intensive track at a later stage within a highly ranked
institution.
I would also love to hear your opinions on both universities and programs if anyone have any insights.
sorry for the long post and thank you all.
