<p>I’m currently in my third year of BSc in Civil Engineering. My GPA has been around 3.6 in the first 5 semesters, which I think could have been better had I been more interested in studies. I’m not entirely sure how GRE tests work but I’m sure I can get very good marks in the Quantitative section.</p>
<p>I want to do my Master’s in Structural Engineering. I can do it here in my own country (Pakistan) but I would rather go abroad and study at a better university. My questions are:</p>
<li>Based on my current GPA, what are the best graduate schools in the US that I can apply to?</li>
<li>There are many countries in Europe where education, even for foreigners, is almost free. Many universities in these countries offer courses which are taught entirely in English (which isn’t my first language, but I don’t know any other language ). But I guess the competition in these places would be tougher for foreign students. What are my chances of getting into a good university in Germany, Holland, etc ?</li>
<li>What is the quality and cost of education in some other English-speaking countries? i.e. Australia, Canada, UK, New Zealand.</li>
</ol>
<p>Educational costs will be one of the major factors in my decision. Do US universities offer any kind of financial aid to foreign graduate students?</p>
<p>Tuition in Canada, for an international student, will be in the 6-9K range. The quailty of education will depend on the program and university; but generally, I would say that it is very good.</p>
<p>are you looking to do an thesis or just course work? UofToronto is arguably Canada's best university and has a great engineering program. UofAlberta and UofCalgary have alot of money flowing into their engineering programs from all the oil money in the province. Also the UniversityofB.C. in Vancouver, BC has alot of engineering activity going on because of the upcoming winter olympics, as such there is a need for civil engineers with experience developing infastructure.</p>
<p>I checked these universities' websites. They all are very good universities (all are listed in the list of top-100 grad schools at Topuniversities.com). I am thinking of just doing the course work (M.Eng.). But it seems that none of these universities offer any financial aid to international M.Eng. students. So, I might think of doing MSc (course+thesis). What do you suggest?</p>
<p>Also, considering my scores (let's say, GPA=3.6 & GRE=1200-1300), what are my chances of getting into any of these schools?</p>
<p>Again, thanks a lot!</p>
<p>(btw, my sister used to live in Edmonton and has now moved to Fort McMurray. I'm happy to hear that Alberta has so many excellent engineering schools.)</p>
<p>Your GPA is great for any of these schools and the canadian schools won't care about you're GRE. Also, you will not find any school that will give you Fin. Aid for doing an MEng, however it is relatively easy to get it for an MSc. </p>
<p>Between UofA and UofC, I would say that UofA is the better engineering school (but I am also partial) but Calgary is a much better city to live in as you're only 45 minutes from the Rocky Mountains.</p>
Yes, UofA seems better. It's ranked higher than UofC. Also, as stated on their website:</p>
<p>"A recent graduate program review has rated the Department to be at the forefront of Civil Engineering Departments in Canada and has been ranked as one of the top 5 in North America."</p>
<p>"However, the requirements of the Structural Engineering Program are in some instances higher than the minimum requirements of the Department."</p>
<p>So, I'm still worried and not sure if 3.6/4 is good to for MSc at UofA. I'm trying to compile a list of Canadian schools which should look like:</p>
<p>
**Top Engineering schools (for which I can only keep my fingers crossed):**
1.
2.
**Above Average School (but, with higher chance of admission):**
1.
2.
3.
</p>
<p>I will make another such list for American schools, and then might make one more for schools in the rest of the world.</p>
<p>Again, thanks a lot for the valuable information.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of guidance for you, since I'm not particularly certain of the requirements for foreign students. I know that competition for non-domestic students is higher, so I'm not sure what that does to the minimum GPA requirements... You're within the acceptable range for domestic students, though. Typically a 3.5 or higher will be given consideration.</p>
<p>Funding in general is difficult to get, but in my recollection it was particularly difficult for international students. Your English seems to be quite good, so I think that might be a big advantage for you.</p>
<p>Do talk to your professors, though. Surely they've sent students like you to the States to pursue their graduate studies, and they'll have a better idea what programs students with your background are able to get into.</p>
<p>It wouldn't hurt to try, though. Apply to some programs-- you never know what'll happen. You've got a good chance.</p>
). But I guess the competition in these places would be tougher for foreign students. What are my chances of getting into a good university in Germany, Holland, etc ?</li>