Question: Do I have a chance at getting a PhD from a top-tier school? I am currently completing a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering at a Cal State school.  I am employed full-time at an engineering firm and I have excellent grades. Furthermore, my professors are willing to write strong letters of recommendation. My question is do I have a good chance of being accepted at a doctoral program for a top-tier school such as Columbia, Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, etc..?

Answer: Sure, why not? But you can't stay employed full time. Besides, the only reason to get the PhD in engineering is to become an engineering professor.
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