<p>I just finished up Junior year at Northwestern and I figured I should start plotting out grad school (have always considered it to be my next step).</p>
<p>I have a 3.5 GPA, as well as 800Q and 760V. I have been consistent research throughout my sophomore and junior years. I will lucky enough to get an internship my freshman year pertaining to my major, as well as one last year for Exxon, and another one this year. I am also part of some basic engineering design clubs on campus.</p>
<p>I have the option to return for a fifth year at NU to complete a 1 year MS. However, I would just like input if I should consider applying for PhD programs, and where I should apply. The person I do research for is a fairly young graduate from Berkeley, and he is my advisor as well. We have had several grads from this year go to high level schools (Yale, Berkeley, etc.) from Chemical Engineering. I just feel as though my 3.5 is somewhat of a let down. I consider Berkeley to perhaps be my top choice. Do you think this is viable? </p>
<p>Other schools I am considering include:</p>
<p>University of Texas
Purdue
Illinois
Stanford
Stay at Northwestern</p>
<p>What’s the reason for the lower GPA? Freshman year struggles are going to be easier to overlook than junior year struggles? Congrats on your GRE though – excellent score.</p>
<p>Consider the contributions you could make in an extra year at Northwestern. Would you get any publications/specific skills that could give you a boost at those high-level schools?</p>
<p>You’re coming from northwestern, which should help a bit. Ask your advisors for their honest assessments. More often than not, they are right on the money about where you will get in (or they will lowball you to protect you. rarely I find, will they overestimate your admissions chances. I remember mine telling I was 50/50 at the top 5 schools). That’s an ok list of schools, but make sure to apply elsewhere. Although I’m sure you’ll get into one of those schools, and can always stay at Northwestern.</p>
<p>How’s your major GPA? I think that’s just as important, if not more so. 3.5 is fine especially if your major GPA is higher. I graduated a while back but out of my year, the 4 PhD candidates that I personally knew (there could be more) went to UCSB, Wisonsin, Stanford, and CalTech. As you probably know, the last three are top-5 programs while UCSB, I believe, is well in the top-15 for chemE. I am sure people like Miller would have a pretty good idea.</p>
<p>If you are going to do PhD, don’t waste money on MS.</p>