<p>I am considering graduate school and have no idea of my chances of getting into each school so I don't know whether to apply to MIT or U of some small state. I would appreciate knowing whether anyone who has a similar situation got into a top school.</p>
<p>My GPA is 3.94 and my GRE is V590, M770 and A6. My degree is B.S. in mathematics from a good (but not great) school: University of Florida. </p>
<p>The problem is that I want to apply to get a Ph.d. in Civil engineering and I don't know whether my lack of physics or engineering classes will be a small hinderance or a major setback. </p>
<p>In addition I will struggle to get good letters of recomendation as I have been out of school for 3 years. Finally I have no research experience.</p>
<p>So I would appreciate suggestions: should I try for MIT, Caltech etc or not even bother and try for a school that might not have the ability to get students with similar marks and a B.S. in Civil Engineering.</p>
<p>For PhD admissions in science & engineering, the 3 most important qualifications are: grades, recommendations, research.
You have the grades, but you have no research experience, which especially hurts you because you did not major in civil engineering either.
It is not uncommon to go from math or physics undergrad to engineering grad school, but you have to have something to show the admissions committees that you have interest and ability.</p>
<p>My recommendation is that you first apply to a MS program in civil engineering to "prove" yourself... admissions to MS programs are generally much easier (though they rarely have financial support other than loans).
Then you would be in a far better position to apply to top programs for a PhD, assuming that is what your goal is.</p>
<p>Since you have 3 years of work experience, you could apply to one of the dual MBA/MS programs like the MIT LFM program or the Northwestern Kellogg MMM program. LFM may be better for you because you can actually get an actual MS in Civil engineering from MIT that way, whereas MMM will only give you an MS in Engineering Management, which is a lot better than nothing, but not as good as getting an actual MS degree in civil engineering. </p>
<p>Furthermore, all LFM students are required to write a research thesis, and if your thesis is good, that could serve to help you get into a doctoral program. </p>
<p>The problem may be that I don't think LFM has ever admitted anybody with an undergrad math degree - most admittees have engineering undergrad degrees, with a few people getting in with natural science undergrad degrees.</p>