Testimonial

Philip A. Voglewede

[Ph.D. ME 2004]
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of South Carolina

There were many reasons why I applied to Georgia Tech, but one that made me come: the people. During my senior year as an undergraduate, I applied to six of the top rated graduate engineering schools as ranked by US News. I would not recommend this process, but it was one that I naively chose at the time. I was accepted to all of them, and visited Georgia Tech since it was on my way to Florida for spring break. I was impressed with the school, but didn't know exactly why. After graduation, I decided to work in industry, and after five years, decided that I wanted to pursue my Ph.D. This time, I more appropriately selected schools based not only on ranking, but on more appropriate measures of size, location, facilities, reputation and faculty, and decided to apply to Georgia Tech and two others. After calling to request an application, Dr. Wepfer (the graduate director at the time) called me back the very next day and urged me to apply. He had remembered me from five years prior! Needless to say, I quickly applied and was accepted. I again visited, but this time realized why I was so impressed five years prior. The people at Georgia Tech are excited. From the faculty to the staff to the students, all of them want to learn, teach, discover, and invent. They enjoy the challenge of the academic environment and wanted to be there. While the reasons I applied were first ranking and then later on size, location, facilities, and reputation, I decided to come to Georgia Tech because of the people.

My graduate experience prepared me very well for my current position as an assistant professor. As an assistant professor my duties lie in three major areas: research, teaching, and service. Obviously, my research abilities were honed by the entire dissertation process, as is the case at any major research university. However, the Woodruff School gave me much more. My advisor allowed me to assist her on writing proposals - a large part of my current position. I managed purchasing for my laboratory and understood how the budgets work. Through the teaching practicum, I was able learn how to manage a classroom and teach. After taking the qualifying exams, I can truly say that I am thoroughly versed in the fundamentals of my field which makes me a much better teacher. I assisted others in preparation for qualifying exams and projects which are much like my service activities. While any major research university can show you how to do research, the great ones, like Georgia Tech, teach you much more.

It is easy to see why Georgia Tech is one of the top ranked graduate programs in the country. They have the facilities, the funding, the vision, the size, and the reputation. However, Georgia Tech's greatest strength is the people, "making it happen." The Woodruff School graduate programs our top notch. While most schools have a floor dedicated to mechanical engineering, the Woodruff school has three separate buildings. These buildings are filled with the equipment needed to perform nearly any engineering analysis. The faculty are leaders in their fields. You also have an opportunity to interact with superb students from around the world. I was involved in numerous thought filled discussions in fields outside my own. I attended lectures from the brightest minds in all aspects of science. Pursuing my PhD at Georgia Tech was a great mind opening experience.