Chances of Acceptance into a Good EE Masters Program?

[Ag565]

Hey everyone,

I am beginning to apply for a master's in electrical engineering and I was wondering if anyone could gauge my chances at acceptance into a good program.

BS Computer Engineering, GPA: 3.3

Minor in Graphic Design

GRE: Q: 780, V: 660

No research experience.

I read that schools typically focus on your major GPA for the last 2 years of your undergrad, and my GPA for the last 2 years is a 2.93. However, the reason for my decline is a C and B- in two core computer engineering classes; sans these two classes my last two year GPA is a 3.4. The disparity between the computer engineering curriculum and the electrical engineering curriculum at my school was minute as it differed by only 4 classes. I disliked the material in these four classes (and despised the material in the two classes I did poorly in), which is why I want to focus on electrical engineering for my master's. Furthermore, I have been taking additional electrical engineering courses on top of my other courses and have been doing well in them and enjoying them more than the core computer engineering classes. With that in mind what do you guys think are my chances into a good program? Thanks!

Edited October 26, 2010 by Ag565

[was1984]

Are you interested in a terminal masters degree? And how do you define 'good'?

I got into an M.S. program at a top 50ish school and now I'm applying to PhD programs with a GPA similar to yours (from a top 10 school), mostly due to 1 bad semester right before the end of my undergraduate. My GRE scores were also similar (790Q, 640V). Now I'm applying to top PhD programs (after having a 4.0 in grad school) and my advisor thinks I have a really good shot.

Edited October 27, 2010 by was1984

[Ag565]

Are you interested in a terminal masters degree? And how do you define 'good'?

I got into an M.S. program at a top 50ish school and now I'm applying to PhD programs with a GPA similar to yours (from a top 10 school), mostly due to 1 bad semester right before the end of my undergraduate. My GRE scores were also similar (790Q, 640V). Now I'm applying to top PhD programs (after having a 4.0 in grad school) and my advisor thinks I have a really good shot.

For now I am just interested in a terminal master's degree. A good master's program for me would be around top 50-40ish ranked for engineering. However, my undergrad is not from a top ten school.

[was1984]

For now I am just interested in a terminal master's degree. A good master's program for me would be around top 50-40ish ranked for engineering. However, my undergrad is not from a top ten school.

I'd say your chances are actually really good because you have reasonable expectations. I'd suggest applying to 6 or 7 schools in that range. You should get into at least one of them.

Another option, if it's something you could do locally, is to do an 'executive' M.S. degree. A lot of schools offer this and admissions standards are fairly relaxed, since they make the universities tons of money. Usually your employer pays for at least a large portion of it, which is important because the tuition will be comparable to a private school even at a public school.