HELP - My chances Mechanical Engineering Masters w/ BAD GPA - Good App

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>Just took the GRE today - My scores don't make me that happy, I think I want to take it again, but I also want to get your opinion. Here's my info</p>

<p>I'm a guy in my late 20s
Attended a state school in Oregon - graduated 2007
Major: Mechanical Engineering & Political Science
GPA w/ Engineering courses: 2.98
GPA Political Science: 3.5
My GRE score is Verbal 163, Math 155, & Writing I'm sure it will be solid 4.0+</p>

<p>Extras
President - Engineers w/ out Borders (raised 100K for engineering projects) involved in other clubs
Did a water sanitation project in Nigeria w/ Engineers Without Borders- featured in National media
Have been working since 2007 in engineering related field
tons of extra curricular and volunteer work in & outside the field
Great letters of Recommendation - one from department head & president of school </p>

<p>My low GPA is because I was involved in a lot of activities on campus
I am pretty sure that I can raise my score by at least 4-5 points - I got flusttered today during the math section - mainly because I had spent the past few weeks studying the abstract difficult questions instead of reviewing the basics. I also think that I can raise my verbal by at least 2-3 points. </p>

<p>So I have two questions, with the stats listed above what are the schools that I certainly I have a shot at?</p>

<p>I am thinking about taking some classes as a non-matriculated student - what schools do you all recommend? </p>

<p>Should I take the GRE again? </p>

<p>Thanks again</p>

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<p>The most important information that you have not provided is to say waht your goals are for graduate school. Is it a professional masters or a Ph.D.? Your answer will dictate the advice you get.</p>

<p>If you want to get a masters degree, then it is probably best to work for a while and learn what path you wish to pursue. Masters programs appreciate applicants who have work experience.</p>

<p>If you are after a Ph.D., you might have a difficult time getting into a selective program. Engineers usually have stronger GRE Quantitative scores and your GPA in the engineering courses may be a negative for the selective programs.</p>

<p>Since your overall GPA is above 3.0 you will certainly be able to get into a program somewhere. Just make sure you choose carefully and don’t apply only to universities which are out of your reach.</p>

<p>on the question of taking the GRE again. Sure, you should be able to do a bit better in your quantitative score given your engineering background.</p>

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<p>I’d say apply to a few ‘decoy’ schools that you probably have no intention of going just to see what the admissions climate looks like. With some work experience and good overall app you should be OK depending on what class school we’re talking about.</p>