Profile Evaluation

[F. Wilson]

I'm wondering if I can have some members here evaluate my profile. I've applied to several Engineering grad schools (some of them mid-level, others upper-mid, and one or two highly ranked ones), but without much luck. So far, five schools (including my own undergrad institution) have turned me down. I think that my scores and GPA are good, but one thing I lack is the experience that some other people have.

GPA: 3.81 (major), 3.66 (overall)

GRE: 800Q/790V/5.5W

Honors: National Engineering Honor Society, Deans List

Experience: This is the one place that I am lacking, I must admit. I only worked as a research assistant my freshman year. In subsequent years, I applied for summer research, but was not accepted. I did work for several months as an intern at a local company, though.

Others: Passed F.E. exam

[emmm]

It seems odd that with your GPA and GRE scores you were not able to gain more research experience. It may be sending up warning signals to the programs you've applied to -- perhaps indicating a lack of interest? It seems as though you need to get some research experience now, perhaps by working as a tech in a lab? I have friends who have done this on a volunteer basis -- sometimes they are even able to transition to paying positions after volunteering for a while. It's generally not easy to get a foot in the door without experience, however. The only person I know who had an easy time of gaining a lab position without prior experience was switching from CS to genetics, His programming skills were in high demand. Still, other friends were persistent and managed to find lab jobs, though it took them much more time and a lot more rejection first. You haven't given much info to use in evaluating your chances. Unless your profile has changed, if you continue applying to schools at the same level, you're likely to get similar results. DId you only apply to PhD programs? A master's program might be more forgiving of deficiencies and give you a way to get the research experience you're lacking.

Edited December 12, 2011 by emmm

[F. Wilson]

I tried to get more experience in my third and fourth year; I applied to an undergraduate research program at my university - and as you said, I was unable to get my foot in the door because they told me I didn't have any experience. Two summers ago, I applied for several different summer research programs all over the country, with similar results.

What other information will be more helpful?

Edited December 12, 2011 by F. Wilson

[George2248]

I tried to get more experience in my third and fourth year; I applied to an undergraduate research program at my university - and as you said, I was unable to get my foot in the door because they told me I didn't have any experience. Two summers ago, I applied for several different summer research programs all over the country, with similar results.

What other information will be more helpful?

What programs are you applying to?