What Grad School ?

Graduate School
1

<p>Before I start, let me just say this.</p>

<p>I’m thinking of going to graduate school. I’m an international student, so, if I don’t get funding, I’ll most definitely try and get a job instead of going to grad school.</p>

<p>Also, grad school is actually my fall back cushion, if I don’t get a job.</p>

<p>About myself, I’m currently studying in Purdue Univ., as a Civil Engineering Undergrad with a 3.91 GPA. I’m a senior and will graduate in one semester. I’m a transfer student and I’ve only been in Purdue for 2 years (total 2.5 years in Purdue )</p>

<p>My previous college, I got 3.6 or 3.7 GPA. I don’t know if that matters.</p>

<p>I’m looking for a good college in Civil Engineering, with a structures emphasis, preferably something to do with concrete or steel.</p>

<p>I haven’t taken my GRE yet and I’m looking to take it within the next two months (I just bought the prep book in Amazon)</p>

<p>I’ve had a few professors that seem to like me in classes so recommendation letters shouldn’t be a problem.</p>

<p>The only thing is… I’m graduating in Dec. If I want to continue to grad school in Spring '10, my choices would be limited. I know that Purdue would be accepting grad school applicants in Spring '10, but I’m not sure how the funding will be.</p>

<p>Also, I don’t know which other grad schools I should apply to, even if I apply in fall '10.</p>

<p>Some of the schools that I’m considering… (And I know some of these are kinda pointless to apply to)</p>

<li>MIT</li>
<li>Stanford</li>
<li>Univeresity of Illinois, Urbana Champaign</li>
<li>University of California, Berkeley</li>
<li>Purdue</li>
</ol>

<p>Out of this list, only Purdue would accept Spring applicants, from what I know.</p>

<p>Anyone know any other decent engineering schools that I can get into?</p>

2

<p>after 2.5 years at Purdue, are you sure you still want to live in the corn field? :D</p>

3

<p>^Well… not really…</p>

<p>Then again, I don’t really have a choice. If I can’t get a job or any of the other schools, my best bet would be Purdue (that’s if they gave me funding) :)</p>

4

<p>Why limit your opportunities by applying only to those programs that take graduate students in the spring? If your student visa is at risk, perhaps you can arrange to do some post-bac work with one of your professors until the acceptances come in March.</p>

5

<p>i am a little worried regarding your LOR… just because the professors seem to like you most likely won’t result in a GREAT LOR. they gotta know you enough to talk about you and your passion. they need to know your reason and love for grad school to write a good LOR. you have any research/intern experience where you work with someone closely for a decent recommendation?</p>

<p>also, going to grad school just because you can’t find a job is one of the worst reasons to go to grad school. you need to know why you want to go to grad school. a ‘fall back cushion’ wouldn’t cut it. </p>

<p>from your first post, i don’t see anything else except your high GPA. keep in mind that a high GPA alone won’t get you into those top schools. you need good GRE scores, great LOR, and great statement of purpose. research or work experience would help A LOT too. are you aiming for MS or PhD? it would be a little easier to get funding for PhD, but if MS is your immediate goal, then i can tell you it’s veryvery hard to get funding for MS. i don’t know what other credentials you have but when considering funding they look at EVERYTHING you have, so you need to show them a lot more to get $$ from them.</p>

<p>if you don’t have research experience, maybe you can take this time b4 applying to get some. it’s essential to have research experience if you aim for PhD and very helpful too for MS. don’t aim for spring admin, do fall’10 and you will have some time to prepare your app
hope this helps</p>