<p>I’m graduating next spring with an Aerospace Engineering degree, and I was thinking of applying to grad school just to have some options. I would want to go to a program in the field of my minor, Aviation Safety. I have some questions if anyone could help. Thanks!</p>
<li><p>Can you be in a graduate program without doing any teaching? (more research or lab based)</p></li>
<li><p>Is a lot of merit-based aid given out? It would seem like a good deal if I wouldn’t have to pay a lot for it, but if it meant going into debt…finding a job is a much better option.</p></li>
<li><p>Does the GRE require a lot of studying, or does college coursework prepare you, or help?</p></li>
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<li><p>Many masters programs do not have a teaching component. However, teaching is generally considered an essential part of the PhD and doing it is frequently part of your financial package.</p></li>
<li><p>Depends on the field and school - some universities fully fund everyone they admit, others don't. In terms of "merit" based, its not really like undergrad where a certain set of scores will get you aid. (There are university wide fellowship competitions based on GRE.) But there is almost always something you have to do for the "free" ride, be it teaching, research in someboddy's lab, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>No. Download the PowerPrep software from ETS and try a practice test (timed). The math is high school through trig. It is not uncommon for engineers/science types to score 800 on the Quant part. There are some pretty straightforward techniques for doing well on the writing segment and the Verbal only takes a decent vocabulary and careful reading. Any guide book will give you all you need to know.</p></li>
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<p>Thanks! Good to know.</p>
<p>I only know a little about aerospace engineering programs, and what I do know I know through friends and my fiance -- but I would advise trying to suss out where the money is in the programs to which you choose to apply.</p>
<p>Friends of mine applied to Stanford in different concentrations (there are apparently several concentrations within their aerospace department). Both were accepted, but only one was offered a funding package -- apparently one concentration had much more funding than the other, so the deck was really stacked against one of my friends from the outset.</p>
<p>Also, you might check out companies which will pay for employees to go back and get their master's degrees -- my fiance is working for a company which will pay his tuition and continue to pay him his salary when he goes back to MIT for his master's in two years.</p>
<p>Awesome. I've been thinking more about it and feel like I'm "done" with school for right now. I've been told I shouldn't have too much of problem getting a job, so if I want a Master's later, then find an employer to pay for it! No use having to teach (which I don't like) or take out loans. I'm looking at applying at the bigger companies, like Boeing, which would be more likely to do this. Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>I should add, too, with respect to your original question -- yeah, it's probably a good idea to apply to a program or two just to keep your options open. A lot can change between now and the end of next year. :)</p>
<p>Plus, if you get into a program you really like, you could consider just deferring for a year or two to work instead of having to go through the application process again.</p>
<p>Hmmm. Now you've made me think, because I was leaning more towards not applying, even just because of the time and money it would take for the apps and GRE. I might have to talk to my advisor about it and see what he thinks about my job prospects, and if it's worth the time if it is something I am not really interested in now.</p>
<p>I remember doing this same thing when applying for undergrad. I applied to a ton of colleges just to keep my options open, and was really only interested in two of the ten. I regreted all the time I wasted on the apps and scholarships and re-taking the SAT, etc. Maybe I should have learned from that!</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice Mollie. I always enjoy your posts. =)</p>
<p>Well, then I would say to apply just to the programs you really like -- that way if you get in, you can consider your options, but if you don't, you can just go work at an awesome job. (And definitely talk to your advisor. :))</p>
<p>It just tends to be a little easier to apply as an undergrad than after a year or two out of school, if only because out-of-school people have to figure out how to get transcripts sent and get back in contact with professors to write LORs. That's not to say that it's OMIGOD SUPER DIFFICULT to apply after a year or two out of school, though.</p>