[Good GPA for competitive engineering programs?]

For engineering PhD programs what GPA is considered competitive for good programs (maybe top 25?) This is specific to chemical engineering but anyone with information on other types of engineering is appreciated. Is a 3.65 with research a good applicant or are they looking for 3.7+? 

[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

On 6/14/2020 at 1:19 PM, 2020bioE said:

Chiming in -- I applied for the 2020 Fall cycle and I received admission to a top-5 BIOE program with a 3.6 GPA from a public university. I wouldn't say that your GPA is worrying as long as the rest of your application (letters, essays, etc) is solid. 

Thank you 2020bioE that makes me feel a lot better lol, if you don't mind me asking what kind of research experience did you have in school? Congrats on getting into such a good program.

[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

On 5/31/2020 at 11:33 AM, heistotron said:

 

I agree with @daromi A 3.5GPA seems to be the "cutoff" for the most tippity top schools and even so, upward trajectories are very favorable and the entire application is still likely to be considered holistically. Anecdotally, I know a couple people with <3.6GPAs and no publications still get into CU Boulder's PhD program in ChemE -- your chances for CU Boulder seem to be very solid.

Thanks for replying heistotron. I really love colorado's program. What backgrounds do those people have if you don't mind me asking? (if you know). What kind of research did they do in school? Or did they go into industry first? Are they on this forum? Sorry for all the questions lol.

[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

On 5/24/2020 at 2:15 PM, polymer engineer said:

I can't say whether or not you could get into a top tier university, but generally that shouldn't stop you from applying. In the application process you want to apply to to 2-3 dream schools, 2-3 realistic, and 2-3 fall back schools. Minimum GPA and GRE scroes are required just for your application to get looked at but they ultimately don't decide whether you get accepted. What schools are really looking for is research potential and your experience speaks to that greatly. A publication will definitely help you a lot! With a GPA of 3.7 and good GRE scores I would encourage you to apply to schools like U Colorado if that's where you want to attend. 

I have a GPA of 3.5 (with strong upward trajectory) and I plan to apply to UT Austin and I feel like I have a decent shot of getting in based on my research experience if that says anything.

Thank you much so much for your advice! I hope you get into your dream school. I worry a lot about things like GPA lol. 

[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

Hello guys. I am a junior chemical engineering major, am not applying for PhD until Fall 2021 however as I am doing a 5 year BS/MS. Having difficulties deciding what tier I would apply to.

At the time of applying I will have two posters, 3 years in the same lab, one research internship, plus part of my MS thesis, and maybe a pub if everything goes perfectly. Not sure yet about GRE but I assume it will be okay. 

The main issue is my GPA, I will have a 3.7 cumulative and engineering at the time of application but that is after 3 retakes and 2 pass/fail (this is for COVID semester). Is this enough to prevent me from applying to high tier schools. I was thinking University of Colorado? 

Thanks for any help lol.