I graduated in May 2017 from UConn with a BS in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Chemistry. I have been working as a manufacturing technician at a biotech/pharmaceutical company for 1.5 years and plan to go back to get my Masters in ChemE.
I am a little worried I don’t have enough to get in because my GPA is fairly low at a standpoint of 3.1. My GRE scores are a little low as well as they fall in at 155 QR, 152 VR, and 4.5 AW. I do plan to retake the GRE next month to improve the QR score mostly trying to aim for somewhere in the 158-162 range.
I do have a lot of other good experiences though such as a publication through my past internship. I have been part of different types of clubs and have held leadership positions as well. I have a lot of research experience as well both in labs and industry.
My LoRs come from my two professors in ChemE and my manager from work.
I want to go to schools in the Northeast and West Coast. Some of the top schools I’m considering are UCLA, UCB, UMass Amherst, Northeastern, CMU, and Purdue. What are the likes of me getting into a masters program with the stats listed above.
I have heard a lot of things about GRE not mattering as much as research and only the QR is really considered so I’m a little worried about where I stand. Do I stand a chance to get into a masters program in the schools listed above?
Any help is appreciated!
@Arupsta - Welcome to the Forum! It is difficult for anyone to tell you what your chances are to get into a graduate program. However, it is possible to identify the weaker parts of your application. You are correct in thinking that your GRE Q score is a bit low for an engineering major however, you have a balanced GRE and a good writing score so if you can raise your quantitative score, it will definitely strengthen your application.
Your GPA is on the low side of being admissible. Most graduate programs require a minimum of 3.0 but it is always best to be somewhat above that. Of course you cannot do anything about it but if your GPA for the last two years is higher, then it will be helpful and if your letter writers can mention that it will be useful.
EC activities are more or less irrelevant unless they are professional in nature. The fact that you have been working is a plus because engineering programs do like to see their applicants have real world experience.
Ultimately your application will depend on what you write and your letter writers write about you.
The big risk for you is that the most selective programs have many applicants with high GRE and GPAs so you might not get past the first cut. Again, it is not really possible to give you a percentage chance of getting into any one of your choices but it is likely that Northeastern and U Mass will be the ones you have the best chance of having your applications read thoroughly.
I believe my LoRs will be good as they are professors I did a lot of work and research with and my manager has seen me develop my skills and become one of the most versatile workers in the area. I will definitely try to raise my Q score up so I have better chances.
Northeastern is my top choice as of right now and I am planning to do early action to slightly help my chances. UMass Amherst would be my second top pick in this case so if you are saying those schools would be most likely to give me a chance, I see that as a good sign but I know not to get my hopes up too high.