<p>I'm going to be a junior in Mechanical Engineering this fall. I recently began thinking about graduate school, and am looking for a bit of guidance to help get me started. </p>
<p>Firstly, I'm not completely sure what exactly I want to do in the future, but I think that I would like either to be designing something or conducting research for industry (or maybe even at a university). In your experience, how could a graduate degree help advance my career if I want to go into either design or research and development? I'm guessing that I will need a Ph.D for research, but are there possible career tracks in which I would only need a Master's degree? </p>
<p>I would also like to get a feel for what level of schools I should be aiming for. I expect to graduate with a 3.4 +-0.1 GPA in ME from Cornell. I have not taken the GREs, but plan to begin some light preparation later this summer. Historically I do very well on standardized tests, so I'm hoping to do well on the GREs as well. (By the way, when is a good time to take the GREs? I have heard people typically take it towards the end of their junior year?)</p>
<p>I have two summer's worth of research experience so far, but unfortunately I don't expect to produce anything substantial like a publication (I've mainly been helping grad students with their projects). I understand it's difficult to predict without any solid numbers, but could I realistically get into a "second-tier" program? I don't care all that much about prestige, but I want a general idea of the kinds of schools at which I have a reasonable shot. At this point I don't have any specific research interests, but I am really excited by the idea of doing research on and learning a lot about a topic that interests me. </p>
<p>Finally: my parents are concerned that, if I begin working after college, I will find myself too busy and never get around to going back to school, just as they gave up college for the short-term benefits of employment. To what extent is this true? I ask because my family's financial situation is a bit shaky as of now. I may still want to take a job if we are still struggling when I graduate, but at the same time I would like to attend graduate school at some point in the future. </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Your stats look ok. I’d imagine you could always stay at Cornell and get an MEng, which would be a fantastic option. If you are applying for a masters and are willing to pay, I can see you getting into Stanford and MIT. If you want funding/want a ph.d., aim a lot lower.</p>
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<p>IMHO. This is the best thing that can happen. You are getting exposed to many different projects that have problems in search of solutions. Also whether you get to grad school or not, you have made valuable contacts who can help you in your career. </p>
<p>DS had a very junior position helping grad students, just as you do, as a Carnegie Mellon (BSME, HCI '06) undergrad. As a grad student at Toronto (MSCS-HCI '07) he had a lot of collaborative work with other grad students. </p>
<p>Today, he is an university staff researcher ME/CS and again helping grad students complete their projects. He also does special projects for his undergrad advisor/PI.</p>
<p>As for working on paying job; He gave up two-three years of income producing work when engineers were in high demand, for a MS and internships. His current position, although a plum of a job with a lot of opportunities, freedoms and benefits, is about what he would have made as a fresh BSME three years ago. Jobs today are much scarcer.</p>
<p>He also knew what he wanted to do on day 1, freshman.</p>
<p>Thank you guys for your help! LongPrime, it is nice to hear that your son is doing well. Do you feel you would’ve let your son attend grad school if, for some reason, your family were somewhat struggling financially? I guess I’m interested in learning how much attending grad school usually ends up costing, aside from the few years of income opportunity cost. My decision to attend grad school might be easier if the job market remains poor for the next two years. </p>
<p>Blah2009, I am seriously considering Cornell’s MEng program. (I hear it’s pretty easy for Cornell undergraduates to get into.) However, I’m worried that a Master’s would limit me if I ever decide I want to go into research. How much lower should I be aiming, do you think? Would a SUNY, for example, be more realistic? I was actually interested in Michigan (not just academics, but also because of family reasons), but I am beginning to realize that maybe I need to be more ambitious with my GPA…</p>
<p>Also, if anyone else has any advice/opinions, do post!</p>
<p>DS had fellowships and scholarships for GS. He could afford GS out-of-pocket but would not had gone to GS if there wasn’t any money from the school. He was more informed on this matter than we were and he made his own decision then and today.</p>