3.4 in ChemEfrom the University of Minnesota competitive for top 30 grad schools?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I am a chemical engineer from the University of Minnesota and expect to get a GPA of around 3.4-3.5 by the time I apply for grad school. Minnesota is probably one of the hardest chemical engineering schools and a 3.4-3.5 from here would probably be like a 3.8-3.9 in most lower ranked schools. Do you think I have a chance at top 30 grad schools? Would the grad schools acknowledge the fact that I went to a super hard school or would they expect a super high GPA from me anyway? Any info is appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>

</p>

<p>not really smart to think like that.</p>

<p>On the other hand a 3.4 is not bad. I got a 3.5, and I’ve been told that it is a decently competitive GPA and that I should apply in the top quarter of chem e schools. I’ve also been suggested NWestern, G-tech, Purdue and NC state. My other professor suggests Berkeley, UM, and schools of such caliber… haha, if he thinks I’m that awesome, then maybe he’ll write a really good letter :):):).</p>

3

<p>spectastic: I wish you knew what we go through at the U of M…</p>

<p>On the other hand I hope everything goes well for you in admissions and you get into a good school…</p>

4

<p>Is it really that bad? what do you guys do that makes your curriculum so hard? I mean as long as we’re using the same textbooks, doing the same set of problems out of the books, and learning the same subjects, how different can it be?</p>

5

<p>how do you know if it’s the hardest if you haven’t attended any other schools? It sounds like you’re making an excuse for why your gpa is not higher. Most engineers go through what you consider “hard.” </p>

<p>I’ve NEVER heard of Univ minnesota having any kind of grade deflation. GaTech is known for its grade deflation, but you still see students having very high GPAs.</p>

6

<p>Chemical engineering does have grade deflation, the number of A’s given out is very few and the workload is immense.50 people fail unit ops second semester of the junior year and have to either stay back for an extra year or change their majors. The exams are much harder because I have seen exams from other schools. I have attended(transferred from) a lower ranked school by the way so I know exactly what I am talking about.</p>

<p>Anyway, going back to my original question of how high I should aim, anyone out there who can give me advice regarding this.</p>

7

<p>and pyroknife:if you cannot come up with useful info then I would suggest you keep quiet</p>

8

<p>Bro, no need to make excuses. If it was a grade deflation school, you would not be so insecure about that GPA.</p>

9

<p>It was rumored that one of my former teachers failed half of his class once when he was teaching transport phenomena. Same rumor for another teacher who taught chemical reaction engineering and process control. There’s always going to be some old stuck up professor handing out bad grades like free candy. I got one right now.</p>

<p>besides, look at how active this section of the forum is. If you want real advice, you might as well sit down and have a nice long chat with your adviser/research professor.</p>

10

<p>pyroknife: or maybe you’re just frustrated because you did not have the opportunity to go to a high ranked school as I did.</p>

11

<p>If UM is so different from the average ChemE school, you should be asking your school’s advisors and students ahead of you where students with 3.4 GPAs should be applying.</p>

12

<p>Lol what. Lol at this insecure boy. pepper thy angus, because with that attitude you’re obviously socially awkward. With that security, you’ll likely not get in anywhere. With those 2 combined, you should probably rethink your life.</p>

13

<p>Well, this is getting stupid. </p>

<p>Look, the best person to talk to about this is a prof at your department, such as your adviser or one you’ve done research for. Honestly, no one here is going to know exactly what faculty at top 30 schools think of applicants from UM. UM is a top ranked ChE program, but where I think that’s going to go to bat for you is that you have access to well-known and well-connected faculty who you can do research for and who can write letters of recommendation for you. </p>

<p>Another resource might be talking to older students or alumni of UM who have gone through the grad school admissions process; knowing their stats and admission results would give you a rough answer for what you asked.</p>

14

<p>techfreak: chill down dude. pyroknife is obviously knowledgeable and has gone through as much rigor, maybe even more so through his engineering path. Just deal with your 3.4-3.5 and talk to the guidance and career center at UM. They’ll know what do to. And if your claims at grade deflation are correct, then grad schools will take that into account.</p>

15

<p>damn. this thread is getting more action than the whole ‘grad school’ forum.</p>

16

<p>okay… so only one A was given out in our transport and unit ops classes. Does it not sound like grade deflation to you?If it still does not then I take it back ha.</p>

17

<p>Strong logic in this thread.</p>

<p>-OP gets called out
-OP claims 1 A was given in one class
-OP claims school is grade deflation</p>

<p>Do you even logic?</p>

<p>One class=school is grade deflated?</p>

<p>No offence, but you’re probably incompetent what whatever you’re trying to do. You sound so defensive about your GPA.</p>

18

<p>Before you call me incompetent clandry, please take a look at how incompetent your grammar is. Its so bad its disgusting.</p>

19

<p>Do you even comprehend? It’s called ■■■■■ language.</p>

<p>But alright grammar cop, it’s obvious that criticizing someone’s grammar is your last line of defense.</p>

20

<p>and its also obvious that you have nothing better to do than poke your head into someone elses business. why don’t you stay away if you have nothing positive to say?</p>