going back to school for mech eng tech.

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>This fall, I'm going to a community college for an A.A.S. in mechanical engineering technology. I already have a BS in Industrial Design, but I realized too late into the game that I am more interested in making things work well, then making fancy-looking crap that sells. Anyway.</p>

<p>Two questions:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Getting into grad school: My grades in undergrad weren't stellar. I think I finished with a 3.2. If I really kill these classes for my A.A.S and graduate with a 3.5+, do I stand a chance at getting into grad school? </p></li>
<li><p>Nature of the work: Would I be permanently stationing myself at a desk by getting a BE or ME? I enjoy research (to some degree), sketching, drafting, problem solving, etc., but honestly I'd rather be working in a machine shop than staring at a computer. It seems like engineering tech work would suit me best, but I see a lot more job postings that require BEs and MEs. </p></li>
</ul>

<p>Any thoughts or advice much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Did you get the Calc/Physics/Chem series in your undergrad?</p>

3

<p>No, no calc.</p>

4

<p>Without the calculus and physics basis, you won’t be eligible for graduate school. Of course, if you idea is to be working primarily on the shop floor with your hands, then graduate school is statistically not a good bet for you anyway. The MET degree will be a much better bet.</p>

5

<p>I think there are two different threads being pursued here:</p>

<p>I think Noleguy was asking if Crag had taken those classes in his industrial design degree.</p>

<p>I think Bonehead may have read that to mean that engineering tech has no calc.</p>

<p>Whichever here is accurate or w/e, I would be a little concerned about that degree for grad school. I mean, people get into grad school with odd degrees it seems, but if you are serious about grad school, I think it’s a mistake to go for the tech degree. I suspect the differences between that and a Mech one would be more emphasis on the stuff that doesn’t matter for research and academia and less on the stuff that does.</p>

<p>But then again, I’m a pre-freshman and don’t know anything about anything.</p>

6

<p>

</p>

<p>He didn’t take calculus in his Industrial Design BS and is planning to get an Associate Degree in MET. Therefore, he will not have the background required to get into most if not all engineering graduate schools, QED.</p>

7

<p>Ah, OK, sorry.</p>

<p>On the other hand, it sounds like the job he wants is much more of a MET/machinist job than a graduate school/research job anyway.</p>