What grad programs should I apply to?

[Vvs1913]

Hi everyone.

I just graduated from a top five university with a B.S. in Mexhanical Engineering and am considering applying to grad schools for next years spring or fall semesters. My profile pretty much looks like this:

GPA: 3.05. This is probably the weakest part of my application. My major GPA is even worse ( around 2.8). However I went to an extremely rigorous university with a low average GPA ( my 3.05 was enough to get me on the dean's list and 3.15 is graduating with honours). My GPA also improved significantly over my last two years (2.9, 3.2, 3.8 and 4.0).

Gre Scores: Q:164, V169, W: 5

Recommendations:

1 excellent ( I'm assuming) recommendation from a professor in my field whom I did research with.

1 good to excellent recommendation from a professor in my field.

1 supportive but not extremely strong letter from a professor in my field ( alternatively this can be substituted by an excellent recommendation from a professor not in my field).

I also have two relevant internships and a bunch of extracurriculars.

I know that my low GPA means that a top ten program is probably out of the question. But what about some moderately ranked programmes (say 20-50)? If anyone could give me some advice on what caliber of schools I should consider, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance and apologies for the long post.

[Jbenrod]

You need to decide on WHY YOU want to go to grad school.  Then if you do decide, next you need to think about what area(s) you want to study as that will somewhat direct you to certain PI's and programs and rule out others.

 

I suspect several of the Big 10 schools might end up on your list. Many of them have excellent graduate engineering programs.

 

Yes, your GPA does stand out and even though my math isn't the best, I don't see how you come up with only a 3.05 given the data that you present of 2.9, 3.2, 3.8 and 4.0?

 

Your GRE scores are very good.

 

Extracurricular's don't amount to much so I wouldn't spend much time talking about them but I would address the GPA in your applications if you decide to apply. 

Edited May 20, 2014 by Jbenrod