<p>Hi, I'm a Senior in Computer Engineering. My plan before was to work in the industry for awhile before deciding whether or not to go to Grad School, but my chances of working in the industry right now seem kind of iffy, even at the company I interned at. </p>
<p>I've kind of realized that I would rather go to Grad School than end up in a job that did not match my interests, but I'm worried that it's getting somewhat late...</p>
<p>I probably could take my GRE ASAP, but I would probably need a TAship/RAship to pay for grad school, and I'm wondering if it is possible at this point.</p>
<p>As long as you make it before the graduate school deadline, you’ll be fine. Most TAships are awarded with your admissions so you still have a few months (assuming a Fall deadline) until they make a decision. </p>
<p>No worries, graduate school can be a very ambivalent decision. I think even at the PhD level you never know what you get into until you are 2-3 years into your research. </p>
<p>Take your GRE and destroy it. You’ll need a near perfect quant score for most engineering programs–for verbal you need above a 500, anything else is usually just bonus. </p>
<p>I don’t have an idea of what schools you are applying for but keep in mind that if you get a TAship you’ll most likely have to complete a thesis (which I think is a good thing). Start researching professors and their interests so you can secure a GRA when you matriculate.</p>
<p>RAships are usually negotiated between a prospective adviser and the student, since they are typically paid out of the professor’s research funds (funding). You’ll need to go out and talk to professors during your first (or before) years to get a GRA.</p>
<p>My (future) husband called several schools when he was a college senior. Some were more helpful than others. When he called Texas, he ended up talking to my dad, who told him he could definitely get a research assistantship and to come on down! Worked out quite nicely. My dad got a good student and managed to marry off his daughter at the same time. :-)</p>
<p>So I’m still kind of wondering if Grad school is right for me now. I’m at a mere 3.2 GPA right now, but some of this is due to the fact that I left quite a bit of the easier classes at my University for last. This semester, for instance, I have all As except for one class, which is a borderline A/B. If I applied to schools now, I would be limited by this GPA; However, I am confident I could bring my GPA up to probably a 3.4 by the end of the year, so would it be better to work for awhile and then apply to Grad school?</p>
<p>Also, are the chances of getting into Grad School diminished if I work for a couple years and then decide to go?</p>
<p>Do any of you know what decent Universities I could maybe get into with a 3.2 - 3.4 GPA, a decent GRE score, and co-op experience with IBM? I have no research experience; didn’t really plan on going to Grad school before. Would Iowa State or University of Minnesota be a stretch?</p>
<p>‘RAships are usually negotiated between a prospective adviser and the student, since they are typically paid out of the professor’s research funds (funding). You’ll need to go out and talk to professors during your first (or before) years to get a GRA.’</p>
<p>so you’re saying i should contact professors about RAships BEFORE i submit the application?</p>
<p>Most departments won’t “hand” over a GRA to you and instead make it the student’s responsibility to go out and find one. Finding a GRA is really like interviewing and negotiating for a new job, and the early birds are the ones that can get the GRA (and more importantly funding!). Contacting professors before you submit your application might be too much but if you have a strong chance of getting into the program, it won’t hurt at all. After you receive your admission though, I highly recommend that you contact professors and send your resume/research interests to find a suitable adviser. </p>
<p>While it is typical for graduate students to “shop around” their first year, I really feel that it is advantageous to have an adviser ahead of time so you can start your research and secure funding. Especially in this economy, you want to make sure that you have a source of funding, be it a TAship, GRA or a fellowship. </p>
<p>If you are a PhD student it really helps to get started early.</p>
<p>ok, thanks for the response. Another question I forgot to ask is, since most engineering grad programs require you to get the MS before phD, how can you get an RAship when you’re first admitted, since you’ll start by working on your MS? I thought you don’t start doing research until after you get the MS and then start on the phD</p>
<p>It depends on your program–some have the “PhD Fast track” where you skip your MS. In most cases you’ll get your PhD under the same adviser as you got your MS–your PhD will be a more indepth look at your MS problem. Sometimes you won’t even write up a MS thesis but instead have completed enough PhD level work that you be sufficient for a a MS anyway. </p>
<p>Most graduate students start researching the first year or at the start of the 2nd year, regardless of it’s a PhD or MS.</p>
<p>As I said earlier if you are smart you’ll start early and just transform your MS work to a PhD.</p>
<p>I don’t know yet if I want a MS or phD. Forgive me for asking so many questions, but you’re saying that regardless, I should find an advisor as soon as I’m admitted, and then talk to him about an RAship, right?</p>
<p>The plan right now I’ve decided is to prepare for my GRE until I feel confident about it. Then I’ll take my GRE, and I’ll probably start applying to some schools and getting in touch with professors if I haven’t gotten any job offers. Thanks for all your help, once again.</p>