Name

Vijay Pappu

School

Rutgers University

Degree Program

Graduated in 2008 with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Computational Fluid Dynamics

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, 2006

Thesis Title

3D Computational Modeling and Simulation of Leukocyte Rolling Adhesion and Deformation

Research Interests

Computational fluid dynamics and simulation

Hobbies

Blogging, playing cricket

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I selected Rutgers University for my graduate school because there are lot of professors there who are working in the field that interests me, which is fluid dynamics. I completed my undergraduate degree at a school in India, but I wanted to pursue fluid dynamics research in the United States. Rutgers University seemed to host many people who were interested in the same field as I am, so I figured it would be a good choice.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared for graduate school by completing a rigorous undergraduate program at 1 of the best schools in India. The school is called Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. The coursework was difficult, but I was able to publish a few papers as an undergraduate, which helped my graduate school application to stand out.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, Rutgers University required me to submit my GRE scores.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

In my personal statement, I included information about my accomplishments as an undergraduate. Specifically, I pointed out my high GRE scores and my publications in the area of computational fluid dynamics.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

I had to submit 3 letters of recommendation with my application to Rutgers University. I asked for letters from my 2 undergraduate advisors and a high-profile engineering professor who I knew well.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in mechanical engineering?

My tip for prospective mechanical engineering students is to apply yourself during your undergraduate career. You should get involved in research projects as soon as you can so that you can decide what area of engineering interests you the most. Knowing what area you want to focus on will make it easier to choose a graduate school.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My masters program was 2 years long. During the first year, students were required to take the core courses in mechanical engineering, so the schedule for that year was fairly regimented. But in the second year, students were allowed to explore different branches of engineering to discover their interests. It was much more flexible than the first year.

What is the focus of your masters research?

My masters research is focused on the flow of blood within humans. Blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. When you have an injury, the white blood cells are supposed to fight the bacteria. But sometimes certain cells prevent the body from the attacking bacteria, which is called the hydration process. So the goal of my research was to better understand the hydration process.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

The role my advisor played in my education evolved over time. We only met once a week or so until I discovered my academic interests. By the time I began working on my thesis, we met 2 or 3 times a day.

At the masters level, I think the role of the advisor should be to guide students as they attempt serious academic research for the first time. An advisor can help students figure out what has already been written in a given field and where there are gaps that students can fill with their own research. When it is time for the student to do their own research, advisors need to sit back and let their students work independently.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

The main difference between a masters program and an undergraduate program is the amount of independence that students have. In an undergraduate program, professors expect that they can give students a set of instructions and the students will follow them. At the graduate level, professors don’t give instructions. Graduate students are expected to write their own.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

My masters degree program did not cost me anything because I was fully funded through my department. I did have some initial costs because I had to move from India to the United States, but my father gave me about $3,000 to cover the move. Those moving costs were the total cost of my education.

How are you funding your education?

My education is funded through a graduate assistantship from Rutgers University. The cost of my tuition is covered, and I receive a monthly stipend to cover my living expenses.

Graduate School – Living Life

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

The major way that graduate school has affected my personal life is that it has turned every personal connection I had in India into a long-distance relationship. I am so far away from loved ones that it is difficult to keep those relationships strong and healthy. When you are in a graduate program, you have to let go of certain relationships because there just isn’t enough time to give attention to all of them.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I have a lot of options right now, and I don’t know exactly what I will be doing in the next 5 years. I am currently enrolled in a PhD program at University of Florida, so I will be here for at least the next 2 years. After I graduate, I am not sure whether I will try to work in academia or become a professional. I have also considered going back to India to pursue my career there.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in mechanical engineering?

I would say that once you get into a masters program, you should focus on developing skills that you can add to your resume. Eventually, you will be done with graduate school and you will need to be a competitive job applicant. It is easy to get lost in the requirements of your program and forget that the point of graduate school is to develop skills that you can transfer to the world outside of academia.