I need some honest suggestions: prospective masters student in structural engineering

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello all:</p>

<p>I previously posted a similar question several months ago concerning my chances of getting into graduate school in order to obtain a master of engineering in structural engineering. This time around I would like honest suggestions of graduate schools that could fit into my safety, match, and reach categories. I would highly prefer to go to graduate school on the east coast, but the west coast would be ok too. Since I will be applying to schools this coming Fall, any help on this will be very much appreciated.</p>

<p>Anyway, here is my background information. I know that I do not have the best gpa in the world, but hopefully my other credentials may help make up for that. All I want to do is get into a graduate school so that I can work towards a Master of Engineering in structural engineering. I plan to go into the industry following graduation, not into research.</p>

<p>Academics:
I am currently a senior at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology majoring in Civil Engineering.
G.P.A. = 3.00 flat
Major G.P.A. = around a 3.3</p>

<p>Relevant extracurricular activities:
Previously Treasurer, Currently Vice-President of ASCE Student Chapter</p>

<p>Work Experience:
1 summer internship with a small structural engineering firm
2 summer internship with the structural engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti</p>

<p>I have at least 3 excellent sources in mind for letters of recommendation</p>

<p>I am currently working on creating a strong SOP to be reviewed by my professors</p>

<p>I am set to take the GRE at the beginning of August, hence I do not have a score for that yet. But during practice tests I have been hitting in the 1260-1310 range (720M, 540V; 760M, 550V)</p>

<p>Again, If someone could list some possible schools, preferably on the East coast, that could be classified as my safeties, matches, and reaches, I would very much appreciate the help.</p>

<p>Regards,</p>

<p>smpaladin</p>

2

<p>That GPA makes things tricky as some places require a 3.0 just to be considered.</p>

<p>Its therefore tough to gauge what would be safeties for you. One might be virginia tech or nc state.</p>

<p>Matches are probably the university of Maryland, UPittsburgh, and maybe Penn State and Drexel. </p>

<p>East coast Reaches would be along the lines of Cornell, Princeton, MIT, UVa, Duke, JHU, Columbia.</p>

<p>Note though, selectivity does usually not always correlate with quality in this case. MIT's structural engineering progam is pretty weak for instance.</p>

3

<p>Smpaladin,</p>

<p>Ask in the engineering forum--there are a couple structural engineers there who might be able to help</p>