Cal Engineering Grad School

Graduate School
1

<p>I am going to go out on a limb and see what my chances are to get into Berkeley for a master's in Mechanical Engineering. Right now I am a sophmore and my GPA is only a 3.1. However, I go to University of Illinois, a top 5 engineering school. I can also get some impressive letters of recommendation. I know two alumni who give money to the school, and I also plan on doing research next year.</p>

<p>If I can't get in with all of this (pretty sure I can't), what should I shoot for to get in? I appreciate any help.</p>

2

<p>Try asking again in two years. There is absolutely no way of answering this question.</p>

3

<p>To give you some idea of your competition, here is some data from U.S. News on successful Berkeley MS applicants in engineering</p>

<p>Average GPA = 3.6
Average GRE - Quant = 760
Average GRE - Verbal = 520</p>

<p>My advice: get above a 3.5 by your senior year, don't bomb the GRE, get some research experience, and get to know some professors. You should have a decent chance if you accomplish this.</p>

4

<p>Wow, GPA of 3.6 seems really high for engineering majors.</p>

5

<p>Well, the people towards the top of the class are the ones who go on to the top grad schools, like Berkeley</p>

6

<p>What about other UC schools like UCSD and UCLA?</p>

7

<p>UCLA - MS in Engineering Applicants</p>

<p>Average GPA = 3.7
Average GRE - Quant = 760
Average GRE - Verbal = 495</p>

<p>UCSD - MS in Engineering Applicants</p>

<p>Average GPA = 3.5
Average GRE - Quant = 750
Average GRE - Verbal = 520</p>

8

<p>Addwit, thanks for the info. Do you have the data for any other popular schools?</p>

9

<p>How about MIT and Stanford?</p>

10

<p>Oh, I am such a tool...</p>

<p>Stanford - MS in Engineering Applicants</p>

<p>Average GPA = N/A
Average GRE - Quant = 780
Average GRE - Verbal = 565</p>

<p>MIT- MS in Engineering Applicants</p>

<p>Average GPA = N/A
Average GRE - Quant = 770
Average GRE - Verbal = 550</p>

11

<p>Thanks addwit, your advice is very helpful</p>

12

<p>I just want to add, that don't be fooled by the low verbal score... a lot of international students apply who have low verbal scores because English is not their native language... they expect American students to have higher verbal scores. GRE's are'nt the most important factor anyway... but I just want to caution applicants why the verbal averages seem so low at even top schools...</p>

13

<p>agh.. i just took the GRE and scored 560 verbal. am I in deep water with regards to MS admissions at the top schools?</p>

14

<p>If you're going into engineering, no, it's not a big deal. The GRE is a very, very minor part of the entire application. A 560 is within the acceptable range of any school, I assure you. A friend of mine got into an engineering PhD program at MIT with a 570 verbal, as an example. I get the feeling most schools will glance at your GRE to make sure you didn't completely bomb it and then move on. You did not completely bomb it, so don't sweat it. If you're applying to an English program, now that's a different story...</p>

15

<p>Thanks for the reassurance Addwit. I got an 800 math which I know is more important (even those as a whole its tiny).</p>

16

<p>
[quote]
Right now I am a sophmore and my GPA is only a 3.1.

[/quote]
That is a major issue.</p>

17

<p>I agree with Mr. Payne. You do have time to get your gpa up. Don't fall into the trap of thinking it doesn't matter though. Gpa is a decent measure of intelligence and/or work ethic. It is one of the few things that grad schools have to evaluate you. The idea is that if you couldn't excel at undergrad, how will you excel in a much more taxing environment? You have plenty of time to get it up, but don't blow it off. It is important.</p>

18

<p>Why do you have a 3.1?</p>

19

<p>I thought I worked hard last year but I didn't. Now I am working hard this semester, but this semester is busting my balls so I dont know how good I am going to do. I guess my dreams of grad school are no more.</p>

20

<p>Out of everyone I know, 3.1 is among the high end of the gpas here though, so I know Im not stupid</p>