<p>Hello All,</p>
<p>This is my first post and I would like to say thanks to all the people who have given their insight on this board. I've read through multiple threads and they've all been informative.</p>
<p>About me:
1. Recent EE graduate from overseas university (graduated ~ 6 months ago). Not sure of GPA equivalent, but I graduated with the highest honors possible, on a full scholarship and I earned a few academic awards.
2. 1.5 years of engineering internship experience (took a year off between 3rd and 4th year) and I am currently working as an engineer in the United States.
3. US permanent resident.</p>
<p>Other graduate school application specific info:
1. GRE: I have not yet taken the GRE but from browsing through a prep book, I am confident that I should be able to perform well when I buckle down.
2. Research: 0 publications. 1 year of undergraduate thesis work for which I won a faculty award.
3. LORs: I have informed two academics of my career plans, one of whom was my undergraduate thesis supervisor and they both indicated that they would be more than happy to write me LORs. I plan on obtaining the 3rd LOR from my current work manager.</p>
<p>Now I hoping to plan out the next few years of my life and I could definitely use your input. I am aiming for Fall 2013, this will give me about 2.5 years of full-time engineering experience (discounting internship) and some money to pay for grad school. The firm that I am working at has a tuition assistance program ($10,000/year towards courses only) and I am investigating pursuing postgraduate studies. My long term interests are in industry and while I enjoy research, I am not too keen on pursuing a PhD.</p>
<p>I am skeptical about being admitted to the top EE MS programs because I don't believe that I have the extensive research experience that I have seen from most other successful applicants. While the company that I am working for may be able to offer me an industry sponsored research project (haven't inquired yet), I am not currently working in a research capacity. I am however working in the area in which I would like to perform research.</p>
<p>My reason for attending grad school is to maximize my earnings potential in industry.</p>
<p>Here are some questions that I hope you may be able to answer:
1. Do I have right to be skeptic about my chances at top MS programs? Difficult question to answer, I know. I have heard that some Profs won't take on MS-only applicants and that being an MS-only applicant puts me at a disadvantage. True?
2. Am I better suited towards Masters by coursework? If so, what are the top M.Eng EE programs that are available? I am considering graduate CS to complement my undergraduate EE degree. I enjoy writing software - take a look at my username.
3. Pros and cons of masters by coursework and masters by research?
4. Relatives are asking me to consider MBA, your thoughts? I am keen on project management, not so much an entire career change although financial engineering is intriguing.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post, but any insight that you may be able to offer is appreciated. Thanks!</p>