<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p>So I'm not really sure how this works, but I thought I'd give this a shot...</p>
<p>I'm a senior in nuclear engineering at UW-Madison, and I'm applying to graduate programs here over the next few months. My fiancee is going to Harvard Medical School in a month, and I've been working really hard to finish up my undergrad so I can follow her. As I stand right now, I have the following statistics:</p>
<p>GPA:
3.500
Research:
1.5 years at the MST fusion reactor, nothing published
Summer biophysics international research in Bangalore, India, nothing published
Extra curriculars:
Project manager for Engineers Without Borders for 3 years
1 year with SAE Baja mechanical engineering student organization
1 semester of being a TA for an introductory engineering class
3 different university music groups (just as a personal note)
Volunteer experience:
Construction and design of two rainwater catchment systems in Hindiro, Rwanda
Surveying of a new clinic in Gashonye, Rwanda
Two design projects implemented for the Madison community
4 months with Young Scientists of America (teaching kids about science's epicness)
Letters of Recommendation:
Two professors, both in engineering department (both should be really positive)
One from project coordinator at the fusion reactor (should be really positive, too)
GRE's:
Verbal: 580 (80%)
Quantitative: 790 (91%)
Analytical Writing: 3.5 (26% - yikes...)
Other School Stuff:
Distinguished Scholar's Program member (highest honors possible here in engineering)
Certificate in International Engineering
Summer study abroad experience in France (language/culture only, nothing technical)</p>
<p>That about does it, I guess. I'd like to apply to the MEMP program at MIT/Harvard, along with a couple of other departments (nuclear engineering, biomedical engineering, etc.). I've been kinda freaking out lately about my chances of being accepted to these programs, as they are extremely competitive. From what I've gathered, it seems that my application looks about average for those accepted to these programs, if maybe slightly below average...</p>
<p>Does anybody know if I've got a shot? I'd also like to apply to Yale, Brown, Columbia, and Cornell, but my heart is REALLY set on Boston (I miss her already...). I know that there are some smaller, less competitive programs in Boston, too - like Amherst, Tufts, and Northeastern - do I at least have a shot at these programs, too?</p>
<p>That about does it for my question - sorry for the MAJOR tl;dr... I've been having these concerns for a while, and I guess I just couldn't take it anymore - I had to ask someone!!!</p>
<p>Thanks for your time!!</p>