<p>I graduated in May from Georgia Tech with a degree in Civil Engineering. My GPA was lackluster at about a 2.7. I am applying to masters programs for civil engineering, as well as petroleum engineering. With a high GRE score and coming from a 'highly ranked' undergrad program, would that be enough to be accepted to any decent schools? Note: I don't have research experience, and I'm definitely not looking to ever pursue a PhD. </p>
<p>Any advice/responses would be helpful.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Well you are in a tough situation w/ a 2.7. You should really try to find a job (maybe with the city/federal government) or join the military and just take classes in your filed and establish a solid record at a state university where it is not that hard to perform well. I have some friends who were in the ROTC during college, and they work as Mech. Engineers for the Airforce; so there are opportunites to gain some real sold research experience there and get some solid skills. I am saying this because my dad was a civil engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers for ~30 years. Most of those guys/gals were Army/Marine/Airforce/Coast Guard vets, and they really seek out opportunites to hire vets who are engineers. They have a lot of great opportunities to work and they are in great locations (San Francisco, New Orleans, DC, New York). There is no need to get a M.S, because it really won’t result in you getting any additional money/opportunities on a job. Those perks are researved for PhDs only. </p>
<p>USACE.gov look it up. But even finding a job may be hard because most employers, especially for engineers want >3.0; some want >3.25. I used to recruit for my company and we would not take engineers with less than a 3.1. So I say try the military. But don’t go into a recruiting center and sign papers. Ask for information about the OCS programs. These programs are specifically designed for college grads, who possess certain skills that are valuable to the armed services. Every branch as an OCS program, and you just need to find out information about it via recruiting centers (the ones in the strip malls) or online.</p>
<p>Agree - see if you can get work experience. Also, if you desire is for a MS, many employers will pay for evening programs, esp. if it is a part of the corporate culture. </p>
<p>If you want a full-time grad program, talk to your professors - what does your own school look for? Consider also that many graduate programs prefer candidates with work experience.</p>