Im asking if anyone has any insight on getting a masters in electrical and computer engineering (MECE) . For example, is it worth the cost of tuition? I looked up the average salary and its about $74,000, is this true? Is employment rising? How difficult is it?
Im asking these questions because I come from a poor financial background (meaning I can go to grad school but student loans are going to be really rough to pay off), though I still want to get a job that Im passionate about.
This field falls under where my interests are. For example, Duke offers a masters in electrical and computer engineering with a concentration on quantum computing ( you can even choose learning quantum software or engineering quantum hardware).
Though Duke is an extremely high reach for me considering my stats. ( I will still be applying though because you never know)
More importantly, if you were in my shoes, what would you do with these stats?
College of William and Mary
Major: Physics
Minor: Math
Overall GPA: 2.81
Major GPA: 3.01
GRE: This August
Rising Senior
I do have my reasons for my stats, this includes being diagnosed with a disability during college and facing financial hardship. Ive done research related to quantum mechanics and more recently quantum computing theory. Also created an organization at my school for helping students that have a similar background as me.
@PHY. - I think that you will have a hard time getting into an ECE Masters program. There are two reasons for this. The first is that you are lacking some courses that Electrical Engineers consider foundational and you would likely have to take a significant amount of remedial course work before getting into the graduate courses. The second is that your overall GPA is below 3.0. This is usually the bare minimum for admission.
That being said, take a look at the American Physical Society’s IGEN (Inclusive Graduate Education Network) program. It is possible that you could qualify for this one year program that would prepare you for a graduate program or get you into a Masters program. It would most likely be physics, but if you had an offer, you would have paid tuition and a stipend and the chance to get more preparation for a graduate program. The ultimate goal is to get students into a Ph.D. but in order to be in the quantum computing game, a Ph.D. is probably necessary.
If you don’t qualify or if you don’t feel that this is a good choice for you, I suggest finding a job for a bit and take some electrical engineering courses as a post baccalaureate non-degree student to prepare for a ECE program. Work experience and good performance in the prerequisite courses will help you get into the kind of program you are planning for.
Quick update, I’ve been accepted into Virginia Tech with full tuition along with a monthly stipend (GTA/GRA). I’ll be starting my master’s in electrical engineering with a concentration in autonomous systems this coming fall.
I know my stats were troublesome, but I managed to pull it off at the end. I’d recommend giving positive feedback on these forums – I agree, you have to be realistic, but everyone is in a unique situation. For any student reading this, give it a shot…you never know until you apply.