<p>I'm a junior studying Mechanical Engineering at a ranked 30ish school for undergrad ME, and I'm 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). </p>
<p>I have a 3.7+ GPA now, so I can get my Masters from here in one extra year, funded, or apply to some better schools but risk not getting funded. I've also been doing research this past semester that my advisor said will result in a paper by senior year, I did a co-op for 7 months that was primarily research-based, and am confident that I can get a strong recommendation from my research advisor and decent ones from two other professors that know me personally (more than "he got in A in my class")</p>
<p>What should I do? Go to my current school or apply to others? Also, if any suggest applying to other schools, possibly what range of schools? Any pros and cons to each situation or advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Can't you apply to other schools see what offers you get and in the mean time accept your school's offer and make the decision when you have all your options in front of you?</p>
<p>I think the problem with that is he has to make the decision before his senior year (because he would get funded his senior year), and for other programs he would be applying midway through his senior year.</p>
<p>Is he bound once he chooses to attend? I mean they can't put the guy in chains. A better offer came up and he left. Is there anything against applying elsewhere stipulated in the rules somewhere or are they specifying that he must finish once he starts?</p>
<p>Hmm... I'd be surprised if there isn't a clause that would prevent him from applying elsewhere after his 4th year. Or at least he would have to pay for his senior year tuition. The problem is you're going to need letters of recommendations from the same people who you promised to stay for a MS, which can't possibly go well.</p>
<p>Right. Ideally, I'd apply to other schools and fall back on the 5 year thing if necessary. I don't know of the exact rules or if there's any contract of sorts, but I'm sure it's expected you won't try going to another school after accepting the BS/MS. You apply for the BS/MS second semester junior year (this coming semester for me) and need 3 LORs. These would be the same people I'd go to for other schools, and one of them, my research advisor, is also head of undergrad ME studies. So assuming I'm not gonna try to do both and pick the best, which option should I choose?</p>
<p>You never said if you feel if your current school is a good fit for you. Normally, it would be better to go to a different school for your graduate studies, but here it could be a $100k difference. So, do your goals fit with this school's program? If it does, and you like the faculty, the facilities, and the campus, and have no plans on pursuing a PhD, then stay.</p>
<p>Yeah, I might just do the BS/MS. I don't plan on getting a PhD, and I do like my current school and think I would do just fine here. I think I may just be more curious as to where else I would be qualified to attend given my credentials and research experience, and that I very rarely had to work hard for my grades</p>