Chances in Top 15 Engineering Schools

[Teleology]

Hi, I just took the GRE and am considering applying to top engineering schools. Here is a profile. I just have two questions:

1) What are my chances to go to top graduate schools in Engineering? (MIT, some Ivy Leagues, and many schools in Cali)

2) Is it even worth going as opposed to staying at UF with a low cost of living and low debt?

GPA: 3.4

GRE: Quantitative - 170, Verbal - 160

Publications: One with a state organization (Department of Transportation), another in the works that will be finished by Spring, and a possible third by next summer.

Extra-Curriculars: Fairly strong, had a few part time jobs and some experience with entrepreneurship, just no internships.

[HappyEngineer]

Oh, yeah, definitely, you have a very strong profile. If any of the top 15 schools can offer any kinds of Financial aid, like fellowship, RA or TA, why not? You will have a much stronger incentive to go outside of UF. Just apply and see which one you can get in.

[Radian]

Hi, I just took the GRE and am considering applying to top engineering schools. Here is a profile. I just have two questions:

1) What are my chances to go to top graduate schools in Engineering? (MIT, some Ivy Leagues, and many schools in Cali)

2) Is it even worth going as opposed to staying at UF with a low cost of living and low debt?

Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida (ranks in the top 40s for engineering)

GPA: 3.4

GRE: Quantitative - 170, Verbal - 160

Publications: One with a state organization (Department of Transportation), another in the works that will be finished by Spring, and a possible third by next summer.

Extra-Curriculars: Fairly strong, had a few part time jobs and some experience with entrepreneurship, just no internships.

I am sort of very certain that MIT's lower bound of GPA is arround 3.9 in majors such as Materials.

[KindaHardWorker]

I am sort of very certain that MIT's lower bound of GPA is arround 3.9 in majors such as Materials.

Yeah I hate to say it but that would be a big hurt. I had a friend in a similar position to yours who was form letter rejected from MIT. He made it into Michigan though, so I think he's doing ok.

"Is it even worth going as opposed to staying at UF with a low cost of living and low debt?"

IMHO don't stay at UF b/c of low cost of living and low debt. A PhD is a life-long investment. You only do it once (hopefully). Get the best possible education that gives you the best career.

On the other hand, you shouldn't say, "I'm going into whichever graduate school that accepts me has the highest ranking." You should go to one that has a strong reputation and good professors in the particular research field or focus you're interested in. While MIT/UCBerk etc will have that in almost everything, some schools that are lower will still have a very good program. And much much less competition.

If you have to ask if you can get into MIT, you probably can't.

I'm sorry, that came out a little harsh. What I mean by that is, if you wanted to go there for graduate school, it should be part of your plan all along. They have so many top tier candidates apply, you really need to be on track towards there for a good part of undergrad. It's kind of like saying, "Oh I was smart in high school... I think I'll go to Harvard." There's a lot more behind it, hidden...

Edited November 29, 2012 by athoesen