> I've been thinking of getting a PhD in an engineering sub-discipline, but not sure how to go about doing it especially since I have no research experience. ..

> I've been thinking of getting a PhD in an engineering sub-discipline, but not sure how to go about doing it especially since I have no research experience. .... (I live close to a major research university) If you know the discipline you want to study, email someone like the Director of Graduate Studies in the department in question. If you don't know the discipline, email someone in either the Graduate School or the College of Engineering, or both, depending on how you school's organized.