Chances for a German ME student (Ms/PhD)

[itsmi]

Hi everyone!

I'm very interested in a graduate study at an US university but I really feel bad after looking at the admission section.

I guess that most of you can chance me much better than I can. I'd be very thankful for every qualified comment.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

• Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering, 4-years-equivalent
• Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Germany
• Expected average grade: 1.5 (on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest)
• Expected GPA: approx. 3.70-4.00 (depending on the conversion), top 5% of the semester (~60 people)
• International, male, white
  
  • GRE and TOEFL scores not expected to be that high, maybe average?
    
    • 3.5 years apprenticeship as a cutting machine operator (with honor)
    • A lot of additional work experience (part time jobs as a skilled worker)
      
      • 6 months internship at the R&D department of BOSCH Germany
      • 1 semester internship at a micro dynamics labratory in Canada (University of Calgary)
      • 1 semester Bachelor’s thesis at a research lab coming up. Does it count?
      • 1 publication (conference paper) as 3rd author (at the Canadian lab)

    .

    [*]DAAD Rise North America Scholarship (for the Canada-trip)[*]Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn Scholarship (6 months)

    .

    [*]Not much social things in my background.[*]Recommendation letters might be a problem. I guess that my evaluators are not used to write “very good” letters even if they are willing. It is not needed for Master application in Germany.

    __________________________________________________________________________________________

    It would be great if you could give me your opinion about the Universities I might have good chances. Or just Top XX.

    Thank you so much for your help!

    Best regards from Germany

    Jochen

Edited February 22, 2011 by itsmi

[stefano]

I'm Italian and I applied for this fall, I think that you cannot use the US metric to evaluate your curriculum. I'm sure you can have good chances as an international applicants. German universities has often a good reputation.

Stefano

[itsmi]

Thank you very much, Stefano.

Maybe someone can 'chance' me and tell, at which Universities I might have chances? Do you think that I can get a position at a top10 University?

I also have an addition: The GPA will most likely be 3.85. Hopefully that helps!

Thank you very much!

Edited February 23, 2011 by itsmi

[cookd2]

Thank you very much, Stefano.

Maybe someone can 'chance' me and tell, at which Universities I might have chances? Do you think that I can get a position at a top10 University?

I also have an addition: The GPA will most likely be 3.85. Hopefully that helps!

Thank you very much!

It would help to know where your school in Germany ranks amongst other German schools.

As far as what schools you have potential for, most US schools look for: Research experience, good GPA, good GRE (although the general feeling is that the GRE is meerly a test to weed out people who perform poorly on it - it cant really improve your application as many applicants submit perfect scores (in quantitative, at least), good recommendations and a strong statement of purpose.

You have the research experience, excellent GPA, and it sounds like the makings of a strong statement of purpose. Back that up with good recommendations from professors (perhaps talking to them about what is expected in a recommendation letter for US schools would "help" them write good things about you), and a strong GRE score and I think you'd have chances at most any school in The States.

[itsmi]

In Germany, there are only top10 Universities ranked. My University is definitely not top10 but it is a 'better one'. I guess somewhere between 15 and 30. However, there are no big differences in the quality like it is in the US and some other countries.

Thank you so much for your valuation. It is exactly what I am looking for.

I really don't expect that I have any chances at Harvard. But something like Yale, Caltech, MIT, Cornell, Berkeley etc. would be so great! What do you think about these special Universities?

Or should I better apply at UCSB, GIT, Northwestern, Penn...(Top30)?

If you don't give me a chance at top30 (at least) I prefer to stay in Germany for the Master. ;-)

Thanks a lot !!

[cookd2]

In Germany, there are only top10 Universities ranked. My University is definitely not top10 but it is a 'better one'. I guess somewhere between 15 and 30. However, there are no big differences in the quality like it is in the US and some other countries.

Thank you so much for your valuation. It is exactly what I am looking for.

I really don't expect that I have any chances at Harvard. But something like Yale, Caltech, MIT, Cornell, Berkeley etc. would be so great! What do you think about these special Universities?

Or should I better apply at UCSB, GIT, Northwestern, Penn...(Top30)?

If you don't give me a chance at top30 (at least) I prefer to stay in Germany for the Master. ;-)

Thanks a lot !!

Well, Harvard may have a good international reputation, but as far as engineering goes (especially mechanical engineering), I wouldn't say Harvard is at the top (in fact, there are many many other schools that probably have a better mechanical program). MIT tops most mechanical engineering lists (and most other engineering fields as well).

From my experience, out of the schools you named, Caltech, MIT Cornell, and GIT would probably be best for mechanical/aero (but thats merely an opinion). Other schools to consider: Purdue, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (shameless plug for my undergraduate school), U Michigan...

Anyway, best of luck!