Texan_Air

Not sure on your US News ranking link but here is another ranking list for electrical: http://www.university-list.net/us/rank/univ-20131047.htm And here is another one that I used for my school research: http://best-engineering-colleges.com/electrical-engineering/master Not sure on electrical engineering prospects, but make sure you have engineering work experience to stay competitive. A&M has some good size engineering job fairs so they will help you there, and if you want to stay in Texas then Houston and the Dallas/Fort Worth are big for open engineering positions.

I'm not familiar with NYU or civil engineering programs so I can't give you much advice there. UT-Austin is the biggest university in Texas and is located in downtown Austin. Austin is a fun place to live in Texas and our climate is warm almost all year long. Besides weighing in tuition cost comparisons, I suggest you choose a school where you will be comfortable staying at for 1-2 years for your masters. For initial comparisons, I like to use the following website below: http://colleges.startclass.com/compare/2878-4254/New-York-University-vs-The-University-of-Texas-at-Austin But I also like to read the reviews on this other website below: http://www.studentsreview.com/NY/NYU.html Also congrats on the acceptances!....and hopefully I will hear positive news from UT for my application....

It mainly depends on what path you want to take. A MEng will most likely be non-funded but can be finished quicker and is easier to get accepted into in my opinion. Now a MS has funding opportunities (still generally low to get), is better if you want to continue on to a Phd, and is better if you want a career path that involves research, but takes longer to do and is hard to get into. Now I have seen schools have MS programs (no MEng) that also offer non-thesis and thesis options. So to be honest, when it comes to the fact that only a MS has a chance for funding....I think it is actually unfair to applicants that schools create a separate degree called MEng. For my application I want the chance at least to be considered for funding, and if I don't get it then I want want the chance to decide on non-thesis vs thesis. I have seen some schools get rid of the MEng program so I hope this continues because I don't understand why it needs to be named differently.

sillykim, I haven't heard anything from the Texas schools eithier, but I did get accepted to Iowa State in December before the deadline. Hopefully it will be a good March for hearing back from every school. I have only heard from 3 out of my 11 applications so far....

columbia09, I still haven't heard anything from any Texas school or Virginia Tech so I wouldn't worry to much, as it seems some programs can take longer than others to get back to you. My POI at Virginia Tech said he made his decisions a week ago for who gets in their masters program, so the graduate school is taking their time it seems.

Got accepted to North Carolina State University this week...which makes me more relieved because I haven't heard from any schools in awhile. My POI at Virginia Tech also says that he has made his decisions and now the graduate school will send out the decisions. Apparantely, one department chair makes all the decisions for each Aero concentration at Virginia Tech. Has any one heard from a Texas school? ....Most of my applications are in Texas but I have only heard from my out of state applications. The anticapation is killing me...

I forgot to mention that when I said your Quant score is average I meant average out of the accepted for engineering graduate school. To me your score is competitive for graduate schools but not these two schools you have your heart set on. Georgia Tech is a top ranked school that is tough for any good applicant to get into and Columbia is still going to be strict since it is a Ivy league school. Columbia mentions average GRE school for graduate school http://gradengineering.columbia.edu/standardized-test-scores-0 And for Georgia Tech the average GRE scores for EE (damn that is high for a average) http://www.ece.gatech.edu/academics/graduate/apply.html Also here is UT-Austin who breaks down the mean accepted scores nicely by program http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/prospective/stats/pdf/avg-gpa-gre-2012.pdf Yes, it is easier to get into a non-thesis degree in my opinion. I think this because I applied to 12 schools and my first acceptance (even before the deadline) came from a out of state school that I applied to for a non-thesis. But some university applications don't let you specify a non-thesis degree in the online application so check your schools. Honestly though, you should choose between a thesis and a non-thesis based on what you want in a future career. A thesis degree will not only be better for going for a Phd, but will also be better if you want to pursue a career in a research focused position like at a national laboratory. All my other applications are for thesis options because my professor recommended it to me based on my career dreams in research. Finally, you need to build up your research experience if you want a shot at high ranked schools like Georgia Tech. Shoot for a submission for a publication while your in school. As for industry experience, if your not busy in the summer with research then try for a internship. But applications are only ~$75 each school....so you can always apply and if you don't make it, then you can go into the industry to build up your work experience for your application. Also remember that work experience is going to be needed to land a job after completing your masters as well. But get that GPA up past a 3.0 so you don't run into recruiter GPA cut-offs. Good luck and hope this info helps. I'm a low GPA overall of a 3.26 so I always root for the underdog.

Like you said, that GRE score isn't spectacular and the Quant score is slightly above average (162 in my opinion). So that GRE score isn't going to be a positive but it will get you past the GRE cut offs. I have seen A&M list a combined score of 320 as average and 310 as minimum in my engineering program. With a low GPA you need to make up for it with research experience (publications a plus), engineering industry experience, great letter of recommendations, a great GRE score, and a great statement of purpose. These schools are tough but I don't ever think top 20 is completely out of the picture, especially if you go for a non-thesis masters. But you need above a 3.0 GPA to make sure you'll get the chance of your application actually making it in front of the committee. This ranking shows Georgia Tech as #5 and Columbia as #19 (How do you guys afford these ivy league schools?) for EE graduate programs. http://www.university-list.net/us/rank/univ-20131047.htm

I'm in the same situation but it is a difficult decision to tell your company, unless it's a contract type position. I applied for Fall 2015 for a masters but I still have no idea where I am going or even if I am going somewhere (hopefully somewhere). Until I make a decision on a offer of admittance, then I consider myself in limbo. I'm predicting to make that future decision by late April. But when I do make my decision then I do plan to let my company know for three reasons: 1.So they can hire and train someone in the mean time. 2.There is always a possibility that they can pay for my masters to keep me for the future (this is rare but there is a chance). 3. So I can possibly use them as a reference for the future.

Well the good thing is that you recognize a known problem that some people ignore till it is to late. It wouldn't hurt to talk to your undergrad program's career adviser about this. I agree that you should pursue your masters. I say this because in my opinion you are in a major that is known to need a masters degree to be competitive. But I am in a different field so get other opinions as well. Plus you always have the ability to get an internship for Summer 2015 and also while during your masters program as well. And if you graduate program offers co-ops then you always have another option. From what I seen in my field is that the job market is starting to recognize more students going for their masters by now offering jobs saying "bachelor or Masters" under the qualifying field for entry jobs.

Check out The Menu-->Applied Sciences and Mathematics-->Engineering on the forums for this site. We have a thread for aerospace applicants 2015 and there are probably also previous year threads as well somewhere there to help you gauge your chances. I am not an international candidate and I didn't apply to those schools, but your GPA seems great and you have research experience. Just continue to exceed in your research, get a good GRE score, write a well statement of purpose, and have good letters of recommendations for a strong application.

I was only job hunting to do something between now and when school starts in August since I am not in school right now. I got a job as a Mechanical Design Engineer close to where my family is (have family health issues), and I didn't want to leave this current city.....no matter how awesome UTC aerospace systems would be. Currently I am seeing a couple of internships positions for the summer opening up if you are looking for those. And I also see a lot of Mechanical Engineering jobs out there, which is surprising to see oil and gas open positions since they are laying off people in Eagle Ford Shale area (in Texas). I use in order of favorite LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, Rigzone(Oil and Gas), Monster, and Indeed for my job searching. I see few aerospace positions but they are out there, but aerospace engineers can always apply for mechanical engineering positions. Generally if you want to start working in the spring to summer I would say between Feb-March is when a lot of engineering positions open up, but that is just my opinion (only second time looking for a job).

Anyone hearing anything? This is my first application process and I keep seeing that the Chemical Engineers and Biomedical Engineers are hearing back interviews and acceptances. I haven't heard a peep from any of the Texas Universities. Also I turned down a chance to interview with UTC Aerospace Systems- Space division this week.....so hopefully I made the right decision to go to gradschool this fall.....

Two of my 11 applications didn't have an option to upload a resume/CV. Basically I just emailed them asking if I can attach my resume to my application because my work experience better demonstrates my capabilties and abilities for graduate research, and both said yes. There is no harm in asking, and my overall GPA isn't steller so I needed to sumbit my related industry experience to stay competitive.

I just wanted to say goodluck to everyone in here. I've applied for a masters at 11 schools. Got an early acceptance to only one so far.

When I got an early acceptance to one of my masters applications was the first time I felt confident that my low GPA wasn't going to hold me back from my dream. Then it hit me again today when a professor at another higher ranked school sent me a email saying I have a good chance at getting a TA Assiantship that would pay my out-state tuition, but I will have to prove it to him by doing a mini-project for him. Which I am excited about to even being considered.

Never seen a cover letter needed in my 11 engineering school applications. I wonder if their system is confused with a university job application system. But if they do require one, then make a cover letter that is about half a page in a letter type form. For my job applications I mainly used parts of my SOP in my cover letters becuase I like how I wrote them. Start it off on what your applying for and that "your knowledge and skills make you a quailfied adaptable canidate." Then put a short paragrah of your experience and another short paragraph that has your most important skills that describe you as a engineer and sum you up. Then do a conclusion and a Sincerely, Your Name at the bottom. Thats what I would do in this odd request.

I'm trying to help a friend figure out what how many classes she will have to take for a M.S. Biomedical Engineering, but I can't find out much on leveling/background courses needed. Only can find that it is a case by case basis decision per school program. She is going to complete a B.S. Biology and applying for a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering. Some schools just recommend having the following courses before applying but say others might be needed. 1. 2 years of Calculus (through differential equations) 2. 1 year of Engineering Physics (calculus based physics) 3. 1 year of Biology 4. 1 year of Chemistry Any non-biomedical Eng. majors know how many classes she might have to take?

Well it looks like you are looking for more information, so I would recommend reading topics in the The Forums Overview-->The Menu-->Engineering Forum. Also they are other non-Eng. Majors applying for Eng. masters that can give you some more advice. My undergrad is in Mechanical Engineering but I can give you an idea on the overall picture. Your main concentrations in a mechanical engineering masters will be the following (but you can take some elective courses in different cores): 1. Thermal/Fluid Systems (Which is thermal dynamics, heat transfer, and Fluid Mechanics w/ CFD) 2. Mechanics & Materials Engineering (Solid Mechanics and Computational Mechanics w/ FEA) 3. Dynamic Systems and Control (Linear Systems, vibration, and Robot Control) 4. Manufacturing & Design (Computer aided design and Manufacturing lines) You can also have specializations in Acoustics, parts of biomedical eng., and parts of chemical or nuclear eng. (it all depends on the University's program) You will most likely have to complete many engineering undergrad background courses along with the master program's 30+ credit hours. But these background courses can benefit you, by giving you a good idea on what area of mechanical engineering you want to pursue. Make sure to take full advantage of Co-op prorams and internships offered so you can gain experience while inside of school, so you can come out competive for jobs. Also I recommend looking at graduate catalogs at schools your considering to read the class descriptions to give you a better idea if you are unfamiliar with these subjects I mentioned.

I have a recommender that finished 9 out of 11 applications but hasn't finished the rest (been over two months). One of the two applications got deferred for "recommendation letters not received" and now I have to pay to get the application re-activated. Even though I want to yell at my recommendation writer (former manager), I know how busy it gets near the end of the year times. My advice is to not push the recommender for now as she is obvious feels disrespected at the moment. If you haven't sent your recommendation writers Christmas Thank You cards then I would send them now, and make sure the writing is sincere. You can try again later after time has passed but personally I would let it go. But in the future....I would always get four recommendation writers, so you have an extra in case something happens.

Well lets see because I looked at my masters programs by always looking at the costs with fit. A Chemical Eng. M.S. with thesis degree has 31 credit hours at GT and looking at the tuition cost (@ $1,139 per credit) and assuming you go the 4 semester route, then that is ~$8,827 per semester + $1,196 student fees= $10,024 per semester for out-of-state tuition alone. First I would classify Georgia Tech as a Top 10 school, but there are other great programs like UT-Austin, University of Minnesota, maybe University of Wisconsin, and maybe University of Delaware at similar high ranks but cheaper tuition costs. Obviously I could be wrong on the ranks and costs but the idea of cheaper schools is out there. Ultimately, if your not carrying any scholarships over to grad school then a major consideration would be going after the best funding offered to you. That possibility alone is worth the application fees and GRE if you don't have any outside funding. You obviously can choose a non-thesis option to cut the overall costs depending on what your career goals are and you can always go into the work force and have a company pay for your masters. Gaining work experience now also will be important consideration factor for when you you want to try and return to the work force after your masters. It all depends on how ready you are to start your masters and how important it is to you in getting it.

Whats your major GPA look like? Your GRE score and publications are going to be strong positives for your application. The only problem I see is that you might run into some schools that list a GPA cut-off of around ~3.2, but some programs state that they use only your last 60 credit hours, so that might help you make the initial cut. Here is a link that might help you with choosing schools. http://www.university-list.net/us/rank/univ-20131044.htm My other advice is not shy away from the top 20. I'm applying for a different engineering field with a overall GPA 3.3 but I got an early acceptance this week from a top 15-20 program even before their deadline, so my confidence is gaining (applied to 11 schools). The candidates we mostly see on Gradcafe and College Confidential have high GPAs so it is always intimidating and difficult to judge for the lower GPAs. Some schools will actually post their average acceptance GPAs so you can get more information to judge your chances. But GPA is just one factor of your application, so make to have good recommendations and strong statements of purposes.

You can try contacting your POI there to get a better idea on your application's circumstances. Who gave you the explanation on why you were rejected? Just wondering if it came from the dean or a graduate admissions assistant. I would also ask your POI on what would strengthen your application just in case you want to try applying again. It's never wise to burn any bridges with the school as it always has the chance to come back against you.

Thanks for creating a thread like this! Even though I am in a different field, I was wondering if you could tell me how graduate committees look at professional work experience when comparing candidates. I have a generally lower overall GPA of a 3.3 (major GPA higher), but I went into the work force in my major of Mechanical Engineering to gain experience after college. I now have 2.5 years of engineering experience on top of other research/internship experiences, and I was wondering how the committee compares me to higher GPA candidates coming directly out of school. Also I was wondering how master (w/ thesis) candidates are judged. I have strong understanding on what concentration I want to pursue but I don't have a good idea on what I would pick my thesis on. So I found it difficult to target POI because there are a couple of them that would be great to work with.

What is your ultimate goal after college? And what type of job are you in now (is it related to engineering)? To me it is true that you will get a good Co-op or internship in the summer. The negative to getting a masters in engineering is that you will over-qualify yourself for entry level jobs, and in my opinion the salary cost increase associated with a masters takes a long time to offset the cost of going to school again (more depends on the person). So it is hard to give advice without knowing about your goals and current experience.