Mecel

Thank you so much for this! This is really helpful advice and I feel much more optimistic knowing that someone else with similar stats was successful. I'm trying my best to find a research based summer position and hoping for a third LoR with it (the first two being from my previous research adviser and my academic adviser who knows me kind of well).:) Also the last bit about demonstrating knowledge in the SOP is something to hang on to:)

I'm an international student currently studying in a reputed liberal arts college in the US. I'll be graduating with a BS in general engineering (my electives are in mechanical) rather than a specified engineering discipline. I have a current gpa (I'm in my junior year) of 3.93, one summer internship and some research assistance experience (one summer, one semester independent study) but no publications and am a tutor. I'm hoping to go to graduate school but it's impossible for me to fund it on my own. I hear PhDs are generally funded, but I'm concerned about lacking the background required to get into a good school for a PhD and so I'm currently thinking of pursuing a masters first....I'd love to get into a top engineering school although I'm skeptical about my chances. Any advice on strategies or steps to take over the next year or thoughts about if this is even doable? Thanks!