Yu-Chuan Hsu is currently a second-year research assistant at NTU, expecting to pursue a Doctoral degree in Computational Science and Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Being a re-applicant for the doctoral program in the USA, Yu-Chuan puts forward the following three points for readers’ reference.

First, Yu-Chuan stresses the feasibility and flexibility for carrying out a research project. Jumping at the chance to work as a lab exchange researcher at MIT during summer, Yu-Chuan made his research proposal interdisciplinary and flexible to meet the wide spectrum of expectations from his potential advisors; meanwhile, he rendered his research project manageable, even after his return to NTU, through a methodological switch to computer modelling that ensures his continuous cooperation with the MIT team. Such a strategy wins him an edge over some other applicants who are relatively obstinate. Then, he endeavors to justify the value of his research by publishing two journal papers during his position as a full-time research assistant. He fully utilizes time—by fulfilling his duties in the daytime and conducting his experiments throughout the time off work. Despite the engineering background, Yu-Chuan puts special emphasis on the importance of refining one’s language skills. “During my stay at MIT, I always have to present my research and progress in front of different groups of audience,” Yu-Chuan recalls, “I truly appreciate the writing and presentation training offered in AWEC courses that lay the foundation of my language exploration.”