<p>Hi, I am a current senior, so I am about to graduate in few days. I am really excited about graduation, but, I am really worried about my future plans because I didn't do well in my first two years. I am physics and chemistry major who wants to go to material science graduate school. Currently, I got 2 C+, 3 C, and 1 C- in intro physics and science courses. I really worked hard after my sophomore year, and I got all A's in all courses. My final UG gpa is 3.4. Luckily I have good research experience and one publication. Do I still have chances for top 10 graduate school or any European graduate school like EPFL? Is it better for me to go to not good Masters degree and go to top PhD? I really need you guys advice. I am going to do research for a year and apply grad programs.</p>
<p>It depends on what you define as a “not good” masters degree. I had a 3.3 at the time of applications, I applied to Georgia Tech, thought to myself “Ha, ha, I won’t get in…” and I got in. I decided to go to Auburn, instead, as a professor at Auburn was offering me a research assistantship.</p>
<p>Due to the uncertainty in the selectivity of graduate schools, it’s best to have a list of maybe six schools ranging from your local state university (assuming they have an engineering masters program), all the way up to MIT and beyond. Your grades from your junior year on are much more important than your freshman and sophomore grades.</p>