<p>i was wondering, what kind of qualifications does it take to get into a top-notch graduate program for engineering? i.e. a berkeley, or a stanford graduate program. what are some of the things i should be aware of throughout my undergrad years to increase my chances for a school of that caliber? </p>
<p>obviously, i'm going to have to keep my GPA high, but considering the fact i think i'm going to cornell which has an incredibly demanding engineering program, what kind of GPA do you think i need to retain to keep my chances high enough for grad school?</p>
<p>Depends on which program at Cornell and how much research you do.
Perhaps the most important thing for you to do is make sure you get research experience during your undergrad and internships every summer. Getting yourself on a paper co-author list is also a plus for top-tier engineering schools.</p>
<p>You can get in with lower a lower GPA if you have great research and job experience, but I would suggest keeping at least a 3.6 during undergrad (for admittance to top schools).</p>
<p>One of the best things about Cornell is how much involvement they allow undergraduates to have in their reseach groups. You just have to be pro-active about it.</p>
<p>I would also suggest taking the GREs during your undergrad (the sooner the better). The math is easier than the SATs and the verbal is harder. If you've just finished the SATs you've prob. got the best vocabulary your going to have if your planning to be an engineer. I did not follow this advice, and I found the GRE verbal annoying. The scores are good for 5 years and you can also retake the test throughout your undergrad.</p>