Profile Evaluation and Schools Advice

[George2248]

I posted this in the Engineering forum, but there is not much feedback and traffic there.

I finally have my application ready and I am still indecisive weather to apply to my first options or maybe add some safety schools. I am basically wondering if I need to lower my expectations.

I am applying to several MS, in Engineering Management or Construction Management; in some top ranked Universities in Engineering and Civil Engineering.

My options are the following, in descending order:

1. UC Berkeley

2. Stanford

3. Illinois Urbana

4. Cornell

5. Columbia

6. Duke

This is my profile:

- International student from Venezuela, graduated at the number 1 position of a 32 students class in Civil Engineering, concentration Construction Management, (GPA: 16.61/20 - Class GPA: 13.30/20) at a recognized private University in Caracas.

- GRE scores: QUANT 760 - VERBAL - 600

- TOEFL: 116/120

- Recommenders: 1 good job experience recomendation and 2 academic recomendations based in some research I did.

- Research: Thesis Research Paper, related to Lean Construction.

- SOP: I think it might be good, maybe not excellent.

- Work Experience: 4 months as an intern, 6 months as a field Engineer in a construction company.

I guess that is all, I would really appreciate your advice or feedback. I know the shools I am aiming for might be a little be high.

What do you think?