<p>I know this question has been asked to death, but in most of the cases I've seen on this board it seems like most of the posters are gearing for research-based graduate degrees.</p>
<p>I will be graduating Spring 2010. I want to pursue a MS or Meng in engineering and I would like to know if I should attempt to apply for grad school beginning in Fall 2010 or work for a couple years and then apply for grad school (like most people on this board suggest).</p>
<p>The reason I want to attend grad school is to expand my knowledge in my field and add more engineering "tools" to my box. I don't plan to do research and I have not done any research during my undergrad years. However, I have done 2 summers worth of internships for a top company.</p>
<p>In my case, would it be wise to apply for grad school immediately? Also, in the long term, is it better to attend grad school early or later?</p>
<p>First, you need to decide whether you want a M.Eng or MS. From your background and desire to avoid research, I feel that the M. Eng is better suited for your needs.</p>
<p>Next, do you have any job offers? If so, will the company pay for your advanced degrees? A M. Eng is typically not-funded and therefore it might be helpful to get some compensation from your company to pay for it or at least have some income. However, some companies will require you to work concurrently which is really demanding. </p>
<p>Personally, I’m a fan of going to grad school right after UG since the material is fresh in your mind and when you are young, it’s easier to transition back to the school mindset. You never know your plans in the future but as you get older it’ll be harder and harder to get back to school. </p>
<p>Another point is that the longer you wait the less of an impact your degree will make in the sense that your work experience will outweigh any educational, especially if it isn’t research based (M. Eng).</p>
<p>My bottom line recommendation is: If you can get funded, go to grad school now. If you can’t, find a company that will pay for it.</p>
<p>just like everything in life, there are up and downs, there is not a “correct way” to do it, it all depends on different person and you have to make the call yourself, we can only give you information </p>
<p>two main reasons to work for a few years before grad school are: 1. you can get a taste of what the “real world” is like and hopefully can figure out what is it you want to further study on, in another words, can choose a graduate school training fits yourself better, whether an MBA, an MS with specific focus, even a PhD, but since you have worked two internships, it’s possible you already know that. Second reason is like the previous poster said, to find a company will pay the tuition cost for you, money is a big factor to a lot of people, but if you have sugar daddy or have enough savings or dont mind to take a loan …</p>
<p>Thanks for responding. The reason I mentioned Meng or MS because some of the schools I looked at either offer only Meng, only Ms, or both. I will certainly look at the curriculum before deciding.</p>
<p>I also plan to get a MBA later. Would it be better if I go for a dual MBA/MS engineering 2-5 years from now?</p>
<p>i am in a similar situation. i don’t want to do research and MS is my immediate goal. but i worked for 3 years, got my pe and is going back to school for a MS this fall. the benefits are that you can understand the material so much better when you have hands on experience, and also it’s easier to get into grad school with work experience.</p>