<p>I'll graduate with a 3.3 from UMich in Aerospace Engineering. Do I have a chance at any top programs in Aero/Astro anywhere, seeking only a master's? I have zero research experience, and I can get decent (but not stellar... hah) recommendations. I do have a fair amount of student project involvement though.</p>
<p>Your GPA is a little below average for an MS at a top engineering school, and having no prior research experience will certainly worry an adcom. I'd say your best chance at a top aerospace program at this moment would be to stay at UMich where hopefully you have a professor who fancies you and would be willing to advise you. Apart from that, I'd say you should either lower your standards or take time off after graduation to get some research/work experience and apply next year.</p>
<p>Also, I would encourage you to think about your future career. Do you actually need a degree at a top school to get where you want to go? If you spend too much time on CC, you will end up believing that your life is ruined unless you get a masters degree at one of the top 5 schools in your field. Realisitcally, I'm pretty sure that if your career goals aren't insanely lofty, a good but not great school may fit the bill.</p>
<p>I dont know about what others would say , but I do think that if you are willing to pay for a masters degree getting into a top 10 school is a possibility. I am personally in a similar boat , I go to UofI in Computer Science and my gpa is a crappy 3.0 , but according to most of my professors I have a SHOT at most schools.
As Addwit said try getting a faculty member to be your advisor sorta deal , a lot of "exceptions" and advantages kick in if you have someone who knows you in the department.
I am trying my luck with a 3.0 so I really cant say that you shouldnt with a 3.3 :P !</p>
<p>I thought UMich is a pretty good engineering school.</p>
<p>It most definitely is. That's why I said his best bet for attending a top program would be to stay at Michigan.</p>
<p>OP, you definitely have a shot if you play the "supportive professor" card right as others have suggested. Most self-funded students will get in if they have a professor in the department willing to stick his/her neck out. Your best bet is definitely Michigan or other departments in which your supportive professor has a peer influence. So, start by talking to your professors about your MS goal. Stick with those who seem to really like you. </p>
<p>As to the question if a MS, specifically one from a top program, is worth the cost. Check out the career service of your dept. It seems like MS will get you about $10K more and possibly a better/higher position. If you pays in-state, your ROI for a master is less than 2 years which is a great deal! Source: <a href="http://career.engin.umich.edu/MISalary_06.htm%5B/url%5D">http://career.engin.umich.edu/MISalary_06.htm</a></p>
<p>If you're willing to pay 40k a year, you have a good shot at Stanford. They pretty much use their terminal MS students to fund their Ph.D program. I believe the acceptance rate is close to 40%. And Stanford is always ranked #1 or #2 in Aero/Astro. I'm planning to apply there myself with a not so hot GPA.</p>
<p>Someone in my boat (kind of, UMich is a better eng school)
3.0 from the University of MN-TC in biomedical engineering; 740 Q, 700 V GRE, and 2 and 1/2 yrs research experience: 1 publication, 1 UROP, currently working in Belgium, doing stem cell research (not directly related, but shut up it sounds good :) ).
Ive applied to Brown, Dartmouth, UNC chapel hill, marquette, rutgers, and UC irvine, mostly for PhD's, some masters. I received a denial from Vanderbilt yesterday.</p>
<p>Ive wisely taken up smoking again for February and March; just so you know you arent the only one worrying...</p>