Low GPA for engineering graduate school, non-traditional student

Graduate School
1

<p>I graduated back in 2008 with an decent, but not great GPA (3.01) in mechanical engineering from a pretty well-respected school (school and engineering program are in the USNWR Top 20). I <em>think</em> the grading was pretty rigorous, but not entirely sure to be honest. </p>

<p>After I graduated, I thought I wanted to work in IP. I went to work at the USPTO for a couple of years and then went to work for a commercial search firm (sort of like doing consulting work in IP). This past March, I got laid off from the search firm. </p>

<p>I wanted to get out of IP anyway, but have had trouble finding a job in engineering again. I'm a bit too far out for entry-level jobs (strong preference for college hires) and don't have enough direct experience for experienced roles. </p>

<p>So my thought was to head back to school to reset the clock (and get the opportunity to work in a co-op/internship). I'm leaning toward doing graduate work in industrial engineering. </p>

<p>Thing is my GPA's low for even "average" engineering programs. I didn't party extensively or anything, I just didn't develop great study habits until my last couple of years. Working definitely helped to mature me in that realm. I also haven't kept in touch with my professors (and can't get anyone at previous jobs to really speak on my behalf for a recommendation). </p>

<p>My thinking was to take some post-bacc graduate-level courses at Arizona State and do well (I'm in the Phoenix area) to get an alternate transcript. I'm taking the GRE next month and have been scoring about 160 on both sections on practice tests. Unsure on writing, but writing standardized tests have usually been pretty easy for me. </p>

<p>Any suggestions for a strong application? I'm a URM and a female, if that helps at all (not that I'm expecting that to shoo me into MIT or anything).</p>

2

<p>smj,</p>

<p>Assuming you score over 80th percentile in the quantitative and at least 155 on the verbal, you should be fine for any masters program. What I know from experience is that it helps o reach out to professors with the same research interests as you and they usually have some say in the admission process.</p>

<p>Unfortunately a 3.01 GPA may be too low for a PhD. But you never know.</p>

3

<p>You don’t need post-bac courses. Your work experience and presumed maturity will count for something. A good option would be to go for a Masters degree and be prepared to self-fund for the first year at least. After that you can reassess and decide where you plan to go from there.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the replies! </p>

<p>Part of my aim with the post-back courses is recommendation letters as well. I failed to stay in touch with my undergrad professors. (Current UG students reading this, stay in touch with your professors!) </p>

<p>How would you guys suggest approaching recommendation letters? My best bet at this point would probably be middling letters from college profs. Unfortunately, I’m struggling to think of anyone from work I could approach. =/</p>

5

<p>Go for the letters from your former professors. When you approach them, include a resume, explain what you have been doing since graduation and remind them of the course and grade you got from them. Some might not feel comfortable writing a letter but I bet you can get enough letters. They won’t be killer letters but should be good enough to get you into a Masters program. The rest is up to you.</p>

<p>When deciding where to apply, make sure you include some universities where you definitely will be admitted. Give yourself the largest number of choices are decision time.</p>