<p>I'm applying to Mech/Aero Engineering programs right now, my stats are:</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins University
GPA: 3.87 (With 7 A+'s that only count at 4.0)
Major GPA: 3.98</p>
<p>GRE: 800/710/5.5</p>
<p>Research:</p>
<p>2.5 years in labs at JHU (currently working on an independent project)
NSF REU at Georgia Tech
Internship at Amgen (work has been presented at ASME and ISPE conferences)</p>
<p>My profs love me so I am guessing they will write great rec's for me (coming from my research advisor, professor who selected me to TA one of his courses, and academic advisor)</p>
<p>Personal statement is very good as well (at least that is what profs have said)</p>
<p>Is my list shooting too high? Past experience from my school has indicated that we send 7-12 students to elite schools each year, and I am currently ranked in the top 2 or 3 students of my dept. </p>
<p>Spe07, you seem very well set on research, recs, GPA, and GREs.</p>
<p>How did you develop your list of schools? Did you get input from your profs? They should be able to give you an honest assessment of your chances for the specific programs you've chosen as well as advising you on whether or not you need a safety on that list. You certainly may not need one; but it would give you peace of mind to hear your profs tell you that you don't! :) Contact any faculty at any of your prospective schools? Some encouraging feedback would let you know you're not shooting too high.</p>
<p>I'm not sure that there is much missing from my application and I am confident that my application will at least be competitive everywhere. Its just that admissions can be such a crap shoot sometimes and I worry that solely applying to the top programs in the country could yield bad results. </p>
<p>I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from faculty that I have spoken with, I guess its just the pessimist in me saying I am shooting too high. </p>
<p>I guess I am just looking for a second opinion and validation for my choice to apply to so few schools</p>
<p>Honestly, did you just make this post just so we could see how awesome you are?</p>
<p>By your own words, your program sends 7-12 people to top schools. You're #2 or 3. I'm going to assume you're smart enough to have figured out what sort of chances that equation gives you.</p>
<p>It's like the hot chick saying she's fat just so people tell her how great she looks. Pet peeve of mine.</p>
<p>The 7-12 acceptances to "elite" schools include places like Ga Tech, JHU, Purdue, UCLA, etc. Very strong state school programs, which are typically easier to get into that I do not plan on applying to. Additionally, 3 applicants are usually female and get into every school they apply to, I don't have that going for me. Finally, a student last year (with nearly identical stats), didn't get funding from any school that he applied to, despite getting the NSF GRFP.</p>
<p>I am legitimately concerned about my school choices and am just trying to gauge where I stand.</p>
<p>What sets Michigan apart from 'Very strong state school programs, which are typically easier to get into that I do not plan on applying to'? It sounds like it fits that bill to me.</p>
<p>You have as good a chance as anyone at getting into the schools you listed. However, if you are in need of substantial funding, that may be another matter. It's pretty hard to guess where the funding will go, and you're casting a narrow net.</p>
<p>Here's my suggestion: Why don't you apply to 2 safety schools that are lower-ranked but that you would still be reasonably happy to attend? That should alleviate your worries, right? Pretty much all grad. school apps. are identical, so it should not be much more effort to apply to 2 more schools. That's 7 total for you - the 5 you listed and 2 more safeties - which is very reasonable.</p>
<p>(Also, think about location and lifestyle when you are applying to schools, not just their ranking. Grad school can majorly suck if you don't like where you are living.)</p>