stmije

Hmmm, unsure if I can get anyone from past jobs. I was decent at work, but not amazing (we all agreed it wasn't a great fit). Plus, seems like they'd be commenting more on my legal skills than my technical skills. But then my other option is to try and talk professors I had from 6 to 7 years ago into rec letters. And this is my dilemma. I thought the professors might be better since they could speak to my academic potential.

I graduated back in 2008 with an decent, but not great GPA (3.01) in mechanical engineering from a pretty well-respected school (school and engineering program are in the USNWR Top 20). I *think* the grading was pretty rigorous, but not entirely sure to be honest. I took a post-bacc class in operations research at the local flagship and did decently, but not amazingly (a B+). After I graduated, I thought I wanted to work in IP. I went to work at the USPTO for a couple of years and then went to work for a commercial search firm (sort of like doing consulting work in IP). I got laid off from the search firm. I wanted to get out of IP anyway, but have had trouble finding a job in engineering again. I'm a bit too far out for entry-level jobs (strong preference for college hires within a year of graduation) and don't have enough direct experience for experienced roles. In terms of other experience, I'm currently doing technical writing for a small oil and gas company. I've been involved with professional organizations like SWE, NSBE, and EWB and have did volunteer work with FIRST Robotics as a team mentor. I do know ECs aren't considered too much. So my thought was to head back to school to reset the clock (and get the opportunity to work in a co-op/internship). I'm looking into MS in mechanical engineering programs. The work I did at the Patent Office is related to what I'm interested in studying. Any suggestions for a strong application? It's not imperative I get into MIT or Stanford, but I would like to go somewhere with good recruiting opportunities as a career switch is my primary aim in returning to school (so that very well may coincide with Top 20 programs). I know there are things in my favor (like work experience) and others aren't (my grades). I am a underrepresented minority and female, but my understanding was that that is a slight bump at best for graduate applications. (I am also going for the GEM Fellowship.) GRE I'm taking in a couple of weeks. Math is lower than I'd like it to be (around 160) and Verbal is around 165 (based on my practice). I know non-thesis or self-funded programs are a bit less selective. Thanks for the advice!

Don't do it. Better to follow the directions, especially if it will tend toward the more good, but sort of generic side.

Yep, another "I can't get LORs" post. I graduated in 2008 with a BS in mechanical engineering. Did ok in school (3.01/4.0), but nothing stellar (basically I'm at the cutoff for most programs). After I graduated, I worked a couple of jobs in IP (originally wanted to become a patent attorney). Hated the field and was laid off from my second job in it. I wanted to get out of IP anyway, but have had trouble finding a job in engineering again. I'm a bit too far out for entry-level jobs (the common requirement I see is that applicants must be within 12 months of the highest degree received) and my experience isn't quite transferable enough for experienced jobs. I'm doing independent contract work in an ancillary field (technical writing) at the moment, but would like to get back into a role closer to my undergrad degree. I mention all this as background context. I'm looking into masters programs as a way to reset the clock (for one thing, graduating from one would make me eligible for university hire requisitions again). Thing is, I'm stuck on the LORs. My school and degree program were both small enough that my professors have some recollection of me (and frankly, there weren't that many URM females in my discipline, so they can just place me as the one from 2008). That being said, I don't think the letters would be strong and would take some prodding. Unsure if there's anyone at work who could write one--my old supervisor might be an option, if his hands aren't tied by HR policy. I did take a post-bacc course at my local university in operations where I had a good rapport with the professor. Unfortunately, I ended up with a B for the semester. Suggestions?