<li><p>Do most graduate programs only accept applicants for autumn quarter? Or are most ok with applying for admission for spring, or even winter quarters?</p></li>
<li><p>How far in advance should one take the GRE before applying to the school?</p></li>
<li><p>Most graduate schools want multiple letters of recommendation. If I want to apply to six graduate schools, that might amount to over 12 letters of recommendation, which is surely an impossible task. Can I assume that the recommendation letters I am to receive are generic, in that I can use them in application to multiple schools?</p></li>
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<li><p>Depends on the program. In many fields, that's how all schools work, but ultimately it varies. Check your potential schools.</p></li>
<li><p>At least 3 months, preferably 6-12 so that you have time to retake it as well as to just shrug off the GRE (after taking it) and prepare statements or purpose, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>No. People do it, but generic LORs are like generic SOPs, they just plain suck. Build relationships with enough LOR writers that you can distribute the work across a number of people. If they really like you, they'll be more than happy to put in the effort to write you strong letters for each program. If not, your letters will likely be the half-baked, "s/he was a good student with [some good qualities] and I think s/he would make a good/excellent/superior graduate student in any department of [your field]" type of letter that schools get from every LOR writer who doesn't want to risk being sued for slander (and/or likes the student but not enough to spend some serious time on him/her). In my case, I am actually applying to a total of 11 schools and each program requires 3 letters (except one, which requires 4 letters) -- that results in a total of 10 * 3 + 4 = 34 letters! I have 5 LOR writers, so the average is 7 letters/writer, but I have spread their work out over multiple deadlines and have prepared them detailed summary materials for each program, including reasons I would be a good candidate for the program (incl. POIs), copies of one of my SOPs, and general stuff about myself, my goals and experiences (incl. resume and transcripts), and so forth. If you prepare your LOR writers and also endear yourself to them, you will find they are more than happy to make you the best candidate of the year! (Or at least do their best to achieve that!)</p></li>
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<p>Thanks so much!
Another quick question:</p>
<h1>4</h1>
<p>So i'm an EE major at a top 20 university and well I think I can pull off a 3.3 with some research experience and work experience. Even though average GPA for my major is around 3.1, I understand something from 3.2-3.3 is really low for grad. studies. But come on! There must be some reputable colleges that I could have a chance for (I want to apply to masters program)! Lets be clear we're not talking about stanford here. So with that said, any ideas for a some good uni. matches for me(are there any?) or should I get a dual degree so that I can spend a few quarters to boost my gpa to the 3.5 range (although thats wishful thinking)?</p>
<p>Thanks again for your advice.</p>
<p>"3. No. People do it, but generic LORs are like generic SOPs, they just plain suck. Build relationships with enough LOR writers that you can distribute the work across a number of people. If they really like you, they'll be more than happy to put in the effort to write you strong letters for each program."</p>
<p>eh...i disagree.</p>
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<li><p>That's simply what multiple faculty have told me and has been my experience. I'm sure a generic letter that is extremely well-written won't hurt you but if it comes down to you or an other student with a good letter that shows how the student is not only well-fit for grad school in general but also likely to succeed within the context of that program in particular, the latter is going to show the admissions committee that the student was strong enough for faculty to spend some time on (def. something that shows you were well-liked and probably would be an enjoyable as well as strong student to work with with) as well as the simple fact that if an LOR writer tailors each letter, the letters are more likely to be positive in the right way to catch someone's attention.</p></li>
<li><p>As you said, a 3.2-3.3 is quite low. It's possible that with a 3.3, some work experience, and a top school you'd be competitive for some MS programs but as that's not my field, I really couldn't tell you which ones. You'd probably want to shoot for the middle-tier programs. I'd go ahead and apply and if you don't get in, you could complete a second degree or take a few grad level courses non-degree-seeking status.
Best of luck!</p></li>
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<p>You can take my advice with a grain of salt because I am not now, never have been or ever will be an engineer. Why would anyone, even in engineering, consider doing a second undergrad degree for the sake of going to grad school? Doesn't it make a whole lot of sense to get research experience as a lab tech (or whatever the equivalent of this is in engineering)? If you work for a university, you can take free graduate courses. I would suspect that good grades in a handful of graduate courses would be more powerful than a second undergrad degree.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. Well let me ask you what looks better:
A 3.2 GPA with 2 years of research experience OR
a 3.45 GPA with a double major and a year of research experience?</p>
<p>Refer to my comments about not being an engineer, but if you were in the biomedical sciences, a 3.2 with 2 years of research experience would be more competitive for admissions than a 3.45 with just a year.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your help.
I have one last question:
Can anyone recommend some websites where I can view the average GPA of incoming graduate students at various schools, or some statistics of that sort so I can know what to shoot for?</p>