<p>I am considering switching from Industrial Eng. (undergrad) to Mechanical Eng. for grad school. If anybody has any other switches, I would like to know how the transition is. For example, is it harder than undergrad because its grad school and you don't have as much background or is the major just harder? I'd like to know your thoughts.</p>
<p>Also, does anybody know the top 50 mech. eng. grad programs? I know the top 50 overall from usnews, it doesn't tell me the top 50 by major though.</p>
<p>I posted the top 50 MechE rankings in the thread titled "US News and World Report offline edition?". Let's try and keep all the rankings contained there.</p>
<p>Have you taken all the base-level ME classes (statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, controls, materials, etc.)?</p>
<p>At my school (Texas), the dean doesn't like Industrial Engineering because he thinks it's more of a management degree (not real engineering). But, if you've taken the basic classes, I'm guessing you'll be fine (because there's so much variability in the specialization of Mechanical Engineering degrees, everyone will have different backgrounds except the really basic stuff).</p>
<p>I've taken statics, strength of materials, circuits, intro to robotics (not really a base level course though), gonna take thermo, I'm still guessing I might have to take a few classes upon entering grad school to make up for deficiencies, but I'll do that at the grad school I go to. </p>
<p>Well I wouldn't say IE is entirely management, its more about production and operations & even IT depending on what you specialize in, but I can see why they say its not a real engineering degree, its basically the same thing as systems engineering. </p>
<p>I'm looking to go to UPenn or Drexel after graduating from PSU. Does anybody know how difficult it is to go part-time for grad school in engineering? I heard in other majors such as journalism, its a joke. I'd figure it'd be similar since you only have one or two classes a semester.</p>
<p>If you have strong credentials I'm sure it won't be a problem. However your grad school may require you to take additional ME courses to fulfill their degree requirements. </p>
<p>Most people do not go part time in engineering, because that means you will have to pay for your schooling yourself. (assistantships/fellowships are generally only awarded to full time students). If you can juggle schoolwork and work, then why not. But most people elect to go full time. I think out of 150 students that entered grad program at the same time as me (ECE), only 2 or 3 were part time.</p>
<p>Here are my credentials,
Besides taking some basic ME classes, I have a 3.33 GPA from PSU in progress of getting a BS in IE, already have a BS in physics with a math minor from Shippensburg University with a 3.73 GPA, have already done research for a whole year, had two internships so far, and Student Government treasurer for 2 years.</p>
<p>Ideally, I would like to go to UPenn for grad school in ME since its the only tier 1 engineering school in Philly, but I might be okay with going to Drexel as well. I am only considering getting a master's degree so I hear its easier to get into straight out of college rather than applying for a PH.D. </p>
<p>Anyways, with these credentials, do I have a shot a UPenn (I understand that I may not be given any fellowships/assistantships since UPenn says that primarily goes to PH.D. students)? They do not require the GREs for the masters program so that helps in terms of not having to have top notch scores just to compete. On the other hand, Drexel does require GREs for their masters.</p>
<p>I'm not familiar with UPenn's policy, but as long as you get a decent GRE score (ie 700+ on math, 500+ on verbal) you should have no problem getting into Drexel's MS program. It was my safety, but for some reason they never offered me funding. Perhaps you must accept their admission offer first to be considered for funding?</p>
<p>Your GPA is probably a bit less than average acceptee's GPA at UPenn, which works against you. But in my opinion you will have a fair chance if you have strong recommendations and letter of purpose. </p>
<p>Why aren't you considering staying at PSU for you masters? It's ranked higher than UPenn.</p>
<p>You bring a good point, I am considering working full time and going to school part time, but I'm just not sure if that is feasible due to the difficulty of an engineering grad program and the time required to finish a masters. I am going into my senior year and have to decide what I want to do, the only task that worries me about not getting into a good school besides my GPA is the GREs, if I applied to almost all Tier 1 schools, they require high entrance tests including PSU. This year I have to see the policies and what I can do to get any advantage in possibly getting into grad school at PSU (anywhere else for that matte) since I know they require GREs. I have done research at PSU just not ME related or with a ME professor, so maybe if I did that, I could have an edge that way.</p>
<p>Is it generally easier to be accepted at one's home institution for grad school if they did undergrad there (even if different departments as well)?</p>
<p>In most cases, it is easier to apply to one's undergraduate institution . (There are of course exceptions) Some of the professors already know who you are, since you probably already had classes with many of them. They would also know your capabilities and work ethics. Provide you are a competent student, those factors will work for you.</p>
<p>As for research, any research is better than no research. I particpated in research as an undergrad for a ME professor, and I'm ECE. So if you have a research opportunity, I'd say go for it.</p>
<p>Lastly, why are you so deathly afraid of GRE? It is not a difficult test. Do some review and get a good score, it will help leverage your GPA.</p>
<p>I kinda worry about taking the GRE writing section, my writing isn't great, but I have yet to take a GRE prep class so that may help. I am considering what kind of research I could get into this year that is ME related with a ME professor. </p>
<p>What kind of GRE prep did you use? Are there big differences in the prep companies such as Kaplan and Princeton Review? Thanks for your responses.</p>
<p>I personally don't think prep classes are worth it. Get a couple of review books, such as Barron's and REA's.</p>
<p>I'd second the Barrons book. Also be sure to get the PowerPrep package from the ETS website. I found that their sample tests were virtually identical to the actual GRE.</p>
<p>As far as the writing sections - I was pretty successful (5.5) with the "outline strategy". I used the scratch paper they gave me to write a very short outline of my argument. That kept me on track and let me know how I was doing time wise. </p>
<p>If you're really worried, ETS will grade a practice test for $10.</p>
<p>I see, I'll try out the Barrons book, I have a Kaplan book that I have to fully engage myself in as well. </p>
<p>I have one question, let me give these two scenarios, say I apply to UPenn & PSU for grad school, don't get in, but try a lower ranked school like Drexel or Boston U and get in. While I'm there, I decide I would rather go to a better school, I take one or two classes at most, do well in them, then decide to transfer. Do I have a better shot at say PSU and UPenn now since my performances in grad classes are pretty good (assume nothing else changed in terms of my credentials)? I know some schools allow you to transfer one or two grad classes at most.</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>I don't even bother applying to safety schools and get rejected from both UPenn & PSU. I take one or two grad classes as a non degree students and do well in them at PSU or UPenn. I want to then become a degree student showing my results in grad classes to the adcom.</p>
<p>Now, in either scenario, do you think I have a good shot at schools like UPenn & PSU (or anything top 25)? I'm sure scenarios like these happen, just not frequently. I recognize money is an issue and due to my credentials, I probably wouldn't get any funding, but I'm willing to take loans to get a masters degree. I must note that I still have one yr left at PSU and my GPA can still go up to a 3.5 if I kick tail so that could help my chances of being admitted.</p>
<p>You're entering your senior year now, so when do you plan on applying to these programs? If you're planning to enter grad school next fall, your applications will be sent in well before you finish your senior year. Your current GPA is likely what the grad schools will see, so increasing your GPA at this point will do little good for you case.<br>
I'm still an undergrad, and therefore my opinions don't carry much weight in this matter, but I'd think getting good grades in a couple grad classes won't impress anyone much. Graduate course grades are generally inflated and rather unimportant as long as you pass.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if I'm going to apply for grad schools this fall seeing that I do not have any good considerations for recommendations and have yet to prep for GRE, so right now, I can say I still have a yr left of school and then possibly taking at most a year off then going back to grad school. So, now, considering again those two scenarios and include a year of relevant engineering/research work, do I have a better shot at top 25 schools? If not, I'm sure I have a shot at top 50.</p>
<p>I feel that you have a shot for top 25. I think it's a good idea that you don't apply to grad school immediately and wait until after you've graduated to raise your GPA. Do well on the GRE and garner some research experience, get good recommendations. I would also apply to schools in the top 50 as well, just to be safe.</p>
<p>wouldn't it be an advantage if you apply to grad school this fall anyway? if you do get rejected to all of them, couldn't you just apply again next fall with the new/better credentials? I mean, it wouldn't hurt you if you apply this fall right?</p>
<p>Engineerer,
Forgive me for interupting your message but what was your view of the Physics program at Shippensburg. My son met Dr. Armstrong at an open house and came away thinking highly of their program. He was looking at the 3/2 option that is sounds like you took. I was wondering what you thought of it?
Thanks for any info you can pass along.
Julie</p>
<p>can someone post the grad rankign for environmental engineering programs</p>
<p>Check the "US News and World Report Offline edition?" thread.</p>