Have Masters degree already-looking to get second

[ChaZ]

Hi All! Graduated with an MS degree (IT field) last year from a Tier 1 school with a 3.9 GPA...minor technicality prevented a 4.0..lol. I got my undergrad about 20 yrs ago in Math-BA. I had an abysmal undergrad GPA of 2.1 or so. I did give some of the personal reasons when applying for my 1st masters degree (started college at 16 and bumped up a grade in HS, among other reasons). Since it was a long time ago, and I have been in the field for years, with many industry certs and publications, the undergrad GPA was not a major factor and I was thankfully accepted (GRE waived). I also happen to teach at the Tier 1 school about 10 yrs ago as an adjunct. The school is also top ranked for my field in US News (Ranked 1 to 3)

Although the masters degree was a challenge, I completed in 21 months while working full time, attending classes at night and a few online. Even though the classes were a challenge, I really didn't have too tough of a time with the topics, except SQL, lol, and now I would like more of a challenge.

I am looking at an Ivy League school for an MEng degree which would delve into topics in much more depth. They also have some great research projects. It requires a 2.7 undergrad GPA and GRE. It also requires many undergrad math classes. Although I had a poor overall GPA, my math grades were actually good and I have taken all the prereg Math classes. Additionally, they require intro stats, but I had take 5 statistics undergrad classes, so all set there. Spoke with someone in the program and most likely the 3.9 GPA, which has some overlapping curriculum, should trump the undergrad GPA, but of course they can't guarantee. However, no exceptions for waiving the GRE.

My question is how difficult would it be to take the GRE after 25+ years out of HS? Also, for those in an MEng program, do you need to have current, sharp skills in Calculus and other advanced Math classes, or is the prereq more of..."yes he has proven skills"? Not worried about the statistical topics as much as delving into n dimensions and triple integrals...lol

BTW, I most likely can continue at the same school for a second masters degree, or even PhD (GRE also waived), but again, looking for an interesting challenge now and I really like the research option at the Ivy League school. Not really interested in a PhD until maybe a little older and then may want to teach full time.

Also interested in comments by those who had a poor undergrad GPA, but stellar grad GPA and applied to another grad school.

Edited April 27, 2012 by ChaZ

[Spore]

I graduated from college in 1998 with a BA in Neuroscience and Religion and a whopping 2.8 GPA.

I graduated with a PhD in 2008 in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology with a 3.8 GPA.

I applied this cycle to two masters programs, both nationally ranked (top ten), and was accepted into both programs.

I was even awarded a merit tuition scholarship.

I had to retake the GRE since my scores from 2000 "expired." I got pretty much the same scores this time around though my percentiles shifted and the analytical section was replaced by a writing section.

[ghanada]

I graduate from undergrad in 2006 with a 2.6 GPA in psychobiology. I will be graduating this year with a Masters in electrical engineering with a 3.8 GPA. I was accepted for a biomedical engineering PhD at Columbia this fall, but turned them down for a better fit and higher ranked school. So yes, you can get into ivy leagues and beyond. HOWEVER, I must say that I applied to 18 PhD schools (all top 25) and received only 3 acceptances so it wasn't easy and I consider myself extremely lucky to have gotten any acceptances at all. I heard from admissions faculty that my undergrad GPA was a road block and was a reason for not gaining acceptance. Now I only had a 5 year gap between my undergrad and last fall when I applied to PhDs so that could be why it was still a factor, it might be since you are so far removed from undergrad that they won't care, especially if you can explain it and all your past experiences well in your personal statement. Also, if you are going for a Masters, you schools will be more lenient on GPA. With your background and experiences, I would imagine you shouldn't have a hard time getting into a top MEng program--but I wouldn't expect it to be funded. If you like the "research option" and are even remotely considering a PhD, I highly recommend you get an M.S. instead of MEng. MS carries just as much (if not more) weight in industry as MEng, plus it carries weight in academia while MEng doesn't.

Buy a GRE book, study some flashcards for vocab, and take a few practice tests. It isn't a hard test if you can do basic algebra/geometry.

Regarding math/calc skills, it really depends on your field. If you are doing anything like electrical or mechanical engineering, than yes, you will be doing advanced math A LOT...especially differential equations, linear algebra, vector calculus, etc. If your field is less computational like systems engineering than no, you won't have to use those concepts as much.

[child of 2]

how come you all switched fields going from college to grad school? eg. math to m e, neuroscience to genetics, psychobiology to ee. Maybe your GPA would have been better had you chosen the right major?

how did you get accepted into a field completely different from your major anyway?

[Spore]

@child of 2

I don't consider switching from Neuroscience to Molecular Genetics and Microbiology to be a field switch. One can study molecular genetics in a neurosciency way, though I did not. The basic science is the same.

The reason I did poorly in undergrad was not due to my major....I did very poorly my first two years before I chose my major and could not salvage the GPA.

After college graduation, I wanted to apply to graduate programs but knew I was not a competitive candidate. I became a research technician in a very strong lab, got my name on two publications and a very influential letter of recommendation.

[ghanada]

@child of 2

I agree with @spore that doing poorly in undergrad had nothing to do with my major. I was originally computer science and only cared about passing classes since the job market was so good and GPA really didn't matter. At the end of my undergrad I decided to do pre-med, but it was too late to salvage my GPA. I then worked in a neuroscience research lab full time for 3 years, got 2 first author publications, 10+ secondary authors pubs, and some great letter of recs. I knew I wanted to do a PhD in engineering but the requirements are too strict to get into without an engineering background so I did a Masters first, did well, and will now continue onto doing my PhD.

Switching fields is very doable, but takes some time, really hard work, and a strong passion.

[emmm]

I am in my first year of grad school, and took the GRE as part of the application process. It was no big deal, even though I finished HS over 20 years ago also. I don't think I'd really forgotten much of the basic math it tests.

[divdharsh]

I have a bachelor's in biotechnology and a master's in microbiology .I worked for almost 2 yrs ,then got married, took a break cos i couldnt get a work visa sponsor. now I m applying to phd programs in biotech related fields but i m also looking at master's in educational leadership/science education and some management degrees. Is this ill advised?