Graduate School

[Astrosag]

Hi everyone. Haven't posted in a while, but school keeps me pretty busy. Hope everyone is doing fine and hello to all the new people (dont recognize many of the faces..i mean tags). Also, I did post this message in the Free forum spot but I don't know if everyone reads the Free area...maybe someone from here (seem to be many engineers here) may be able to help. Hope no one minds.<br /><br />So, I have a pretty large, and pretty scarey dilema. I am a junior in college majoring in Aerospace Engineering and am looking towards grad school. Problem is...and its big one...my GPA. My freshman and sophmore years were horrible averaging a pathetic 2.7 for the two years combined. I don;t know what to say...some quarters i slacked, some i overwhelmed myself with too many units, others i got too caught up in - not parties, but clubs. I didn't waste the two years. I was very very active in my major in terms of clubs and organizations. Thru these experieneces, I landed a very nice internship at Boeing this past summer working on the 7E7 Dreamliner. It was awesome. The great thing about the internship is that I have been called back for next summer- which for all intents and purposes, means that I have a job when i graduate (as long i dont curse at my collegues or manager..haha). BUT, just recently (even though I have researched the grad school process and schools ever since i started undergrad) decided that grad school is the best choice. Its so ironic and frustrating that i did so much research into grad school and often lend advice to my student peers but I, myself, (at least i feel like it) lack the qualifications to attend top schools. <br /><br />My grades are improving....and I have been doing well in my major with a gpa slightly above 3.75. These two years are the core years with mostly aero classes and this quarter im doing quite well. Now knowing what I want to pursue, i have not the slightest worry about doing bad these two years. But my first two years, I think, will bring

 

[silylene old]

My advice:<br /> - study and prepare so you do great on your GREs<br /> - apply to 2 schools which are a "reach" considering your grades<br /> - apply to 2 schools which are a "safe bet"<br /> - apply to 1 school for which you are overqualified<br /><br />For all five schools, pick them on the basis of your <i>interest</i> in the research/engineering programs they have, and your interest in the research + the reputations of a few key professors.<br /><br />For the schools which are "safe" or for which you are "overqualified", pick them on the basis of a star professor who works there whose group you would love to join. Working for a star professor will make up for an otherwise weaker grad school. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</font></em> </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><font color="#0000ff"><em>I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function.</em></font> </div> </div>

 

[propforce]

Get a job with Boeing and go to grad school part time, for M.S. Do well at the M.S. level improve your chances for a better grad school for your Ph.D. work. <br /><br />Univ. of Washington has a decent aerospace engineering department. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

#1) Follow Silylene's advice to the letter. <br /><br />A word of encouragement: Professors and councils <b>know</b> what happens to some students their first couple of years. Don't think that your lack of performance is a surprise. What really is going to matter is that you bust your butt doing all you can to make A+++ for the rest of your undergraduate tenure. Your good referrence from your internship is great news. That can help. Also, go out of your way to make sure that your bright and shiny face is recognizable to your professors. While I don't encourage sucking up as a common practice, it doesn't hurt. Just don't get blatantly obvious about it. Bringing coffee and the morning paper to your department head is definitely "sucking up." Prof's hate suckups. However, walking into their office and asking their advice on a project or for some advice on referrence material etc..(from time to time) isn't obviously "sucking up." Letters of recommendation can help if they are "real" later on.<br /><br />Get your GPA up in all subjects as best you can. Peg your major in the high A's for the rest of your tenure if possible. Follow Silylene's advice. It's obvious he/she knows a great deal about the in's and out's of the subject.<br /><br />Always remember, an undergraduate degree is only proof that you showed up, somewhere, sometime, often enough, for someone to realize that you were around for, at least, four years. However, you seem to have gotten on the graduate level mindset early enough that you can probably offset your poor earlier performance by using alot of hard work, good networking skills and a sound tactical approach. <br /><br />(Although I knew a girl who got hers in three by overloading every quarter. She finally got the law school she wanted... and promptly had a nervous breakdown. No foolin. So, overachieving can be dangerous. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> .. that's my motto anyway.. and I'm sticking to it!) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[erauskydiver]

Why go to grad school right after undergrad? I'd just go work for Boeing and let them pay for your Masters. Plus, you will also get some more real world experience under your belt. Working in the industry may also help you discover that maybe you would like to get your masters in something other than AE.

 

[drwayne]

I concur. I have observed a LOT of folks that fail either to go back, or fail to do well in grad school.<br /><br />While it varies some with major, in many schools, the professors do not have a very high tolerance for what they consider uninportant distractions - job, family etc.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[Astrosag]

First, thanks for all the great advice, I really do appreciate it. As for getting a Master's right after undergrad...crazzyeddie is right. You do lose momentum, I'm sure, and people tend not to go back after working- my collegues at Boeing also recommended that i start sooner rather than later. What I will and can do right now is just work my buttocks off....get the great scores (and for once, its happening now!- guess its because im actually very interested in my aero classes). As far as getting to know the professors, thats something I have done well. Because of my involvment in the department (clubs and leadership positions), I know all the faculty very well and work with them continuously despite not having had most for classes yet. I will try to get some research experience as well then apply to the schools....particularily how silylene stated it. The other opportunity is indeed going to Boeing, doing grad work at U Washington and then apply elsewhere if I chose to pursue a Phd. But I will determine that after getting my application results back. Again, I appreciate the help. It has been tough to keep my head up and keep working. I mean, I am doing well now, but everything I score an A, I'm glad of course, but then in a slump realizing my past two years..and overall GPA. But I suppose there are ways around that and I will do my best. Thanks everyone, hope you have a good weekend.