<p>So I'm a junior studying Mechanical Engineering at a ranked 30ish school, interested in getting an MS. The school has a BS/MS 5 year program for students with a cumulative 3.7, and includes full tuition starting SENIOR year, and a nice stipend (I'm guessing only during the 5th year, but maybe not). I have a 3.7+ GPA now.</p>
<p>Overall, this sounds like a good deal, but from what it looks like on these forums, a 3.5+ GPA is competitive for even the top schools. Would it be worth it to apply to some of these higher ranked schools? Besides the GPA, I started some research with a past professor this fall, and will be this winter, spring and maybe summer. He's also expecting a publication out of it while I'm still working with him. I'm confident I can get a good rec from him, and decent ones from other professors that know me. I also did a full-time co-op for 7 months after freshman year that was basically all research, so more experience there, plus another strong (though less engineering-related) internship the summer after sophomore year.</p>
<p>I'm currently not interested in a PhD, though it's a possibility down the road, so I expect it will make funding harder for just a Masters student. Funding is really important. I don't want to go into a job with $100k+ in loans. I think I can do well enough on the GRE. Although I wouldn't mind going to my current school, I would also like just a change of atmosphere. I've got some idea of what I want to research and what schools would be good for that.</p>
<p>Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated. Should I do the guaranteed funded degree at the current school in one year and no GRE, or non-guaranteed funded degree at a more competitive school?</p>
<p>I think that's a great deal. You should pursue it. I mean top 30 isn't that bad. In particular, most MS programs are 2 years for engineering... so if you can leave with BS+MS at 5, even better. Do you know anyone who graduated from the program and had trouble finding a job or something?</p>
<p>Some people do BS + PHD at the same school. Don't think you're the first.</p>
<p>a 3.5 is not competitive for the top schools unless you have substantial research, great letters of recommendation, good GREs and potential publications. a 3.5 and alot lower is competitive however at the top engineering schools if you are already an undergrad there looking to do a BS/MS. My advice to you would be to take the BS/MS deal as it is financially beneficial. Masters at the top schools are typically unfunded.</p>
<p>OP has to make the decision before he can apply to other schools. He has to apply to his school's BS/MS program before his senior year, but he can't apply for MS programs at other schools until midway through his senior year. Read carefully.</p>
<p>Yeah, ideally I'd apply to other schools and just do BS/MS here if those didn't work out, but I have to choose one.
Blah2009, maybe saying 3.5 is competitive isn't the right phrase..but maybe a 3.7 at least won't keep me out of most schools? I'm not sure. Besides, I also have LORs, SOP and GRE to worry about.
Either way, the BS/MS is looking more and more tempting, much because I almost have nothing more to do for it except a quick SOP and some recs (no GRE to study for or take), and that's all with guaranteed funding. Maybe I am feeling lazy for all those other applications, LORs, SOPs and GRE studying, but I'm also worried about not receiving any funding.</p>
<p>Anyone have an idea how difficult it is get outside funding, from like NSF or other organizations?</p>
<p>If you're interested then you should take the GREs, get LORs and write a SOP in an effort to apply to other schools and your BS/MS program. Outside fuding such as NSF is extremely hard to come by at 10% acceptance rates and mainly reserved for US citizen and PhD applicants. A 3.7 with good GREs and good LORs from good faculty would be key to getting into top schools.</p>