I applied for Fall 2014 at Cal Poly Pomona for a Mechanical Engineering M.S. and was rejected. I then applied fo a few more schools for Fall 2015 and was also rejected from everywhere. My GPA is 3.08 and my GRE test scores are decent (165 M, 156 V, 4.5 W). I graduated with a degree in Applied Mathematics/Statistics.
I have been trying to get into a Mechanical Engineering M.S., but I have not succeeded so far. The most frequently cited reason is because of my lack of engineering coursework.
The closest and really only university I can start taking classes at doesn’t allow non-degree students to take classes from the college of engineering. I called the graduate admission coordinator directly and with only knowing my degree, he told me that it was very unlikely that I would get admitted into the master’s program. So, I feel like my hand is being forced here and that I’ll have to enroll for a second bachelor’s. He advised that I apply as a transfer student and would most likely just need to fulfill the engineering courses for Mechanical Engineering. I also asked him if I applied and just took a good amount of courses needed for entry in their grad program, but then he said that he would advise to finish the degree as it would be close to the end anyways.
I have a list of potential schools to apply to for a master’s degree program and have been studying for the GRE for better scores as it seems like that’s the only thing I can do to improve my profile, but I am starting to wonder if I should just do the second bachelor’s so I can move on. I cannot get the kind of jobs I want with my degree. Second bachelor’s are expensive and I probably only have around 40K in loans left (not sure). I am working full-time at the moment.
Should I keep trying to get into a master’s program or get a second bachelor’s?
I had a Physics degree, and I was able to get into a masters program in EE. I had not taken any engineering courses before the masters. I took 1 1/2 semesters undergrad engineering courses in the masters program I went to. I do empathize with your dilemma. I usually recommend going to a Masters program instead of a double Bachelors, unless you can do a 3-2 program - 3 years math or physics at a one school and 2 years engineering at another.
The schools likely have the following concerns…
-Physics courses are more similar to engineering than math courses, and there is more overlap between physics and math courses.
-Your GPA is on the low side…I had between 3.4 and 3.5, and I was still only getting accepted into some masters programs on probation until I completed undergrad courses…I didn’t go to those schools…still it shows these schools were worried
Are you applying for funding to these Masters programs. You won’t get it. This may be an issue.
It sounds like you are pretty much stuck because of your geographic constraints. It is possible that other universities would allow you to take the courses you need but if they are not close enough to be an option, then there is no choice.
Undergrad borrowing is capped at 27k for dependent students and 57.5k for independent but it isn’t a great decision to take on a lot of debt. It would not hurt you in any case to get a decent job for a year or two and at least be in a position to pay for some of that. Applied math/stats degree should be an entree for some interesting work. I wonder if you really have any experience in engineering work why it seems more appealing. I think any good work experience could add to your perspective. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized#how-much
I’ve been working for about a year now as a software engineer. I have tried to shop my degree around to a lot of places since I started working, but I never got any bites that called me in for an interview. Most of the time during my last year or two of undergrad, I studied with a lot of engineering majors and helped them with their projects on the side for fun. I also took extra physics classes (couldn’t take engineering courses as they were restricted to engineering majors only) and my interest flourished in engineering related topics, but I was already quite a bit of ways along and they did not allow transfers into the engineering college at my alma mater after so many credits.
I did an investment internship, but I have no interest in working with finance. I took quite a bit of statistic classes, but I also have no interest in becoming an actuary. My main interest is in the physics and applied math classes that had an engineering/physics bent to them.
My job isn’t the greatest in terms of salary (but not terrible) so I am actively searching. I plan to work while doing the second degree if I have to, but it is making me a little depressed feeling as if I am “stuck” in something I can barely stand to do (I am good at programming, though). It is also making me a little depressed as though there are “engineering” jobs that I feel like I could do, but they require an engineering degree to do them.
I know it’s not a great decision to take on some debt, but I am also feeling that it’s not good for my mental health to not make any progress towards something I want to do ultimately for the next 40-50 years while I’m stuck doing something I can barely stand to do. I need some way of improving my credentials with relevant background material to get the kind of jobs I want. All I feel like I can do is improve my GRE scores, but I wonder how much that will really help improve my profile to get into graduate school. Probably not a whole lot.
Unfortunately, I am limited by geographic constraints. There isn’t much I can do about that unless I find a new job that can support me and get all my ducks in a row. That won’t be easy I feel like given my track record with jobs this past year.
It is funny that so many ME grads say their jobs are uncreative and drudgery and they want to get into CS jobs. Grass is always greener? I can’t think the GRE would make any difference. Got