<p>I need some opinions on this, since I'm not entirely sure. I just graduated and was thinking of applying for grad school next year. I got a bachelors in materials engineering. I want to get my phd but I'm wondering if I should go for masters first due to low GPA or should I apply for phd? I'm new to it all, so I'm trying to figure this all out soon so I don't waste too much time.</p>
<p>I've got a final 2.8 GPA due to a bad year in college, but recently have been an A/B student in the past year and half. I didn't take the GRE yet, but I took a practice test and did pretty bad in quan (600). I plan on studying for when I do take the GRE but I was wonderng if my GPA will allow me to get nowhere fast. I'm not looking to get into the best school, just a decent one.</p>
<p>Hello all...this is vandana...just finished my 2nd year of engineering<<in computer="" science="">>....from a pretty mediocre institute from india...
I really really want to get through to one of the top institutions to do my masters...<<read stanford,mit,yale,harvard,princeton,berkeley="" etc="">>>... which....many tell me....are WAY out of my league...but i really really want to try. I just am confused as to how i should go about achieving this.
I have an year n a half in which to prepare for and write my GRE and apply to the universities...so all im asking is...will u guys plz help me out here..? Tell me what i need 2 do get there...and i'll do it.</read></in></p>
<p>So far,i've got 93% in school{CBSE} and 96% in college....and in Com.Sci Engg. i've gotten 83% and 80% in 1st n 2nd yrs respectively. I'm a jack-of-all-trades type...totally into extra curricular stuff...not just into studies. Participated and won in many dance/sports/debate competitions... will that in any way help???
and do i have 2 write both the general and subject GRE to apply to a university?? And what are the average scores i need 2 put in,to even stand a chance of being accepted to a good university??
I'm quite new to the circle and i really hope u guys can gimme some advice on what to do. Thanx.</p>
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[quote]
I need some opinions on this, since I'm not entirely sure. I just graduated and was thinking of applying for grad school next year. I got a bachelors in materials engineering. I want to get my phd but I'm wondering if I should go for masters first due to low GPA or should I apply for phd? I'm new to it all, so I'm trying to figure this all out soon so I don't waste too much time.</p>
<p>I've got a final 2.8 GPA due to a bad year in college, but recently have been an A/B student in the past year and half. I didn't take the GRE yet, but I took a practice test and did pretty bad in quan (600). I plan on studying for when I do take the GRE but I was wonderng if my GPA will allow me to get nowhere fast. I'm not looking to get into the best school, just a decent one.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>With that GPA, your chances of getting into the direct phd programs are very slim. I would say almost impossible. I suggest you apply for the masters program since it is not as competitive .</p>
<p>Hi vandana....
I too hav completed my 2nd year of engineering from India n i'm planning to go to the US or Canada for grad studies????
Where in india do you study???
To answer your questions:
From what i hav heard all institutes are given the same status except if you r from an IIT which helps a lot.......
Your 1st n 2nd year marks are pretty good( Mine r 65 n 64%)....
Subject gre's r not required n you must ace the quant section of the GRE to get to a top institute!! (Verbal is not that important 550-600 should be good enough)</p>
<p>In order to increase your chances at a top school i would suggest that you do some research either alone or with a professor in your area of expertise......or getting some papers or articles published in some science mag. would help you very much...</p>
<p>You shoul understand that unlike our Indian system, marks are not as important to get admission as in our country: You must have good lor's , a good statement of purpose......</p>
<p>One more thing.....Unlike at the undergraduate level,Extra curricular stuff won't help you much in grad school admission unless it is directly related to your area of interest...</p>
<p>Hope i hav resolved a few 'f ur queries.....Msg me or post here if u hav anything more to ask!!!</p>
<p>I got into a PhD with a 3.0 Gpa, so it is possible. Highlight the fact that you have improved recently, that is significant. This guy^^ is right about research though, especially for engineering. It shows that you will be able to contribute something valuable to their program. Also, a quant GRE of at least 740 (80th%) is most likely needed.
Funding will probably be an issue, especially for MS programs, so I would look at taking a job in industry near schools that you would want to attend.</p>
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[quote]
I got into a PhD with a 3.0 Gpa, so it is possible. Highlight the fact that you have improved recently, that is significant. This guy^^ is right about research though, especially for engineering. It shows that you will be able to contribute something valuable to their program. Also, a quant GRE of at least 740 (80th%) is most likely needed.
Funding will probably be an issue, especially for MS programs, so I would look at taking a job in industry near schools that you would want to attend.
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</p>
<p>Im just curious what school you got into to with that GPA? You must have Aced your last two years in college.</p>
<p>I've heard of people getting into Hopkins with GPAs around a 2.6. I think he had some really excellent research going for him.</p>
<p>ScoobyDooby, your chances are admittedly low to getting into a top school with a 2.8, but you could certainly get into a masters program or perhaps even a PhD program at a fair number of places if you have solid letters of recommendation and good GRE scores. It is easier to get into a masters program, but much harder to finance. That's why most people go the route of getting their company/government to pay for it. Oftentimes if you work for a professor while doing your masters it can then be pretty trivial to get into the PhD program, even if you probably would not have gotten in directly. I've seen this exact thing happen at a pretty top school. If you can show that you can do the research and know your stuff, no one will care about your GPA from undergrad.</p>
<p>I got into Marquette and UNC-Chapel Hill (MS), going to Marquette. I have almost 3 years research experience, with 1 publication and 1 pending though. Also, I worked with all 3 of my LOR writers for about a year each.
It's possible, but having a higher GPA makes the process WAY easier. I think going for an MS might be a better idea, especially at your undergrad school.</p>
<p>I would also try get your quant GRE up there...the math is certainly doable, it is just written in a way that makes it very reasonable to pick the wrong answer. Just take timed practice tests (to learn the speed) until you can get a high score consistently. My friend took it twice, and improved his math score 70 points after a month of studying like this.</p>
<p>My theory is that it's not that important, but schools need to show that their class has a high GRE avg for publicity/rankings.</p>