Engineering Schools for a 3.15 GPA?

[fouriertransform10]

Hi, so I've recently decided that I want to apply for graduate school (PhD) for Electrical Engineering, with a particular focus on photonics, biophotonics, and optics.  I am very committed to applying for and pursuing a PhD, however I am quite concerned about where I stand for admission, especially in the competitive field of engineering.  I currently have a 3.15 UGPA (combination degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics), and am beginning to feel the nerves of applying, as I fear that my grades may keep me from being admitted to all of the programs I apply to.  For some context, let me tell you a little about my academic career so far:

3.15 UGPA, top 40 school with a strong engineering program, 3.4/3.6 during my last two semesters; 8 months and counting of biophotonics research

I am well aware that it is unlikely that I will get into a top 10-20 school, so I am looking for schools in the top 30-60 range.

So far, I have compiled a list of schools I am interested in:

Boston University (PhD, Electrical Engineering), RPI (PhD, Electrical Engineering), University of Rochester (PhD, Electrical Engineering/PhD, Optics), UC Davis (PhD, Electrical Engineering), Case Western (PhD, Electrical Engineering), Lehigh University (PhD, Electrical Engineering), Tufts University (PhD, Electrical Engineering/PhD Bioengineering), Northeastern University (PhD, Electrical Engineering), UIUC (PhD, Electrical Engineering). 

Are any of these schools reasonable, given my resume?  Should I aim lower/higher?  Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Victorious Secret]

Hey OP,

So you will want to be strategic about this. Your GPA will not be your most outstanding asset (your UG institution rank will be slightly relevant with regard to that; if you went to a top tier school without a rep for grade inflation, that could help you). Strong GRE scores can help your case that you simply under-performed early but possess the requisite aptitude for a competitive program. You will be competing with applicants who have stronger research resumes, so LORs will be important as well. But I would advise you to think strongly to at least consider some lower ranked PhD programs, and to consider getting an MS first (that will go a long way toward solidifying your research background, and can help if your research is good (read: published) and GPA is around a 4.0 in grad school). You can always apply to tougher PhD programs once you're finishing your MS. Any more info you can give about your UG institution type/GRE scores/prospective LORs/publications/research presentations can be helpful to the discussion.