<p>So i'll be attending the University of Pittsburgh this fall and will probably major in some type of engineering.</p>
<p>ASSUMING, that i get high marks, great GRE scores, and take advantage of the research opportunities there, would I be able to gain admission to top engineering schools such as say MIT. I just want to know if it is within my reach.</p>
<p>This is in answer to: “is it within my reach”</p>
<p>Short answer: yes.</p>
<p>Of course it’s in your reach. </p>
<p>It’s early to be thinking about graduate school, but rest assured that no program is so hung up on pedigree that where you come from matters more than what you’ve done. Besides, Pitt is by no means obscure. </p>
<p>I’m moving from a small state school to an Ivy League phd program, and if I can do it, it can’t be all that hard.</p>
<p>The answer is yes, it is within your reach.</p>
<p>For more specific info, try to find what people at your school have done:</p>
<p>Your college website probably has some listing of student marshals or valedictorians (whichever they use), and often their publish future plans. That gives you one benchmark of where you can go.</p>
<p>Your campus newspaper probably announces every time someone wins a major graduate fellowship (Rhodes, Gates-Cambridge, etc.) but you can also look through the college website again to catch the almost-as-major ones like NSF and NDGES fellowships.</p>
<p>Check with your local chapters of engineering societies (like Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu) to see where their members go.</p>
<p>Just remember that this only shows what can be done, it is then up to you to go out and do it. A lot of people walk in as a freshman saying “I’m gonna go to MIT for my Ph.D.” and walk out as a senior unable to get into South Central Louisiana State for a masters.</p>
<p>IF you get high marks, great GRE scores, and take advantage of research opportunities, you can certainly get into MIT – or any other top engineering program – for graduate school. And that is true of ANY undergraduate school, not just U Pitt.</p>
<p>As cosmicfish pointed out, though, the real trick is actually putting in the effort required to get those high marks, great GRE scores, and research experience!</p>
<p>Cool, those are the answers i was hoping for. I agree with what your saying cosmicfish, we all want to grow up and change the world, but most of us end up changing the tv channels.</p>
<p>rkellyloveskids (awesome name), what school did you graduate from, which ivy are you going to, and what are you studying? If you don’t mind me asking.</p>
<p>Just start off strong. Dont go killing yourself, but I have many friends who later regretted their early performances which eventually hurt their chances to go to a top tier grad program. </p>
<p>Trust me, as long as you make the commitment to work for it, whether it be grades, research, engineering clubs, etc… you’ll surprise yourself. Especially if it really interests you. </p>
<p>PITT will definitley set you up for an invitation to MIT down the line, as long as you play your cards right.</p>