Applying to Grad School

**Crazed Rabbit** · 07-27-2010, 17:47

So the whole getting a job thing after college isn't working out, and I'm looking at Grad School for a master's in Chemical Engineering.

So, any tips? Guides on how to make the best application? Study guides for the GRE?

Thanks,
CR

**Mouzafphaerre** · 07-28-2010, 01:09

.
Sorry, no valuable information or tips to offer, at least particular to your study.

Just wanted to stop by to wish you good luck.

.

**Reenk Roink** · 07-28-2010, 03:03

Obviously do your best on the GRE, but I'd say the most important parts of your application are your grades and your recommendations.

You know what your grades are, and you know you'd have had to do really well on the core classes of your program, but they also look at things like if you got that A in that Anthro class or blew it off and took it pass/fail. They will be trying to gauge your ability to perform well in grad school, and a ton of applicants do well in their core classes, so this kind of stuff can set you apart. No withdrawals, no pass/fail, and especially no bad grades in ANY kind of class.

Letters of recommendation are huge. Hopefully you got to know a couple of (ChemE) professors really well, so it's not just like a "this kid got an A in my hard class" type of thing.

I know from hearsay that some engineering programs look closely at your internship experience. I'm not sure if that applies to ChemE but it can only help.

Good luck.

**jabarto** · 07-28-2010, 05:16

I'm not a Grad student, but I've been asking a lot of the same questions. Here's what I've found out so far on another forum.

- Having a good advisor is crucial.
- Make sure you're comfortable around your lab mates. You'll be dealing with them a lot.
- Hard work is meaningless. Results are what matter.
- Don't be afraid to speak up and ask for help, or to fail. It happens.

I can look up some more details if you want. I'm looking into it myself for my eventual history degree.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 07-28-2010, 06:10

Originally Posted by Reenk Roink

Obviously do your best on the GRE, but I'd say the most important parts of your application are your grades and your recommendations.

You know what your grades are, and you know you'd have had to do really well on the core classes of your program, but they also look at things like if you got that A in that Anthro class or blew it off and took it pass/fail. They will be trying to gauge your ability to perform well in grad school, and a ton of applicants do well in their core classes, so this kind of stuff can set you apart. No withdrawals, no pass/fail, and especially no bad grades in ANY kind of class.

Letters of recommendation are huge. Hopefully you got to know a couple of (ChemE) professors really well, so it's not just like a "this kid got an A in my hard class" type of thing.

I know from hearsay that some engineering programs look closely at your internship experience. I'm not sure if that applies to ChemE but it can only help.

Good luck.

Well I have good internship experience, and could pull a couple good recomendations from that. Plus I know one of the professors well enough for a good recomendation.

My grades are good but not great. I did have one withdrawal, but that was only as part of a scheme to get out of one section of a lab class and into another to avoid working with this one particular student.

So I'll probably focus on my unique internship experience and the recommendations from my supervisors.

Jabarto, thanks for the tips, but I'm looking for tips on how to get in before I worry about doing well.

And thanks Mouzafphaerre, I'll need it!

CR

**Ice** · 07-28-2010, 07:04

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Well I have good internship experience, and could pull a couple good recomendations from that. Plus I know one of the professors well enough for a good recomendation.

My grades are good but not great. I did have one withdrawal, but that was only as part of a scheme to get out of one section of a lab class and into another to avoid working with this one particular student.

So I'll probably focus on my unique internship experience and the recommendations from my supervisors.

Jabarto, thanks for the tips, but I'm looking for tips on how to get in before I worry about doing well.

And thanks Mouzafphaerre, I'll need it!

CR

Heh second guy on the org going for a masters in engineering. Discovery1 (hes active in the org chat, stop by sometime) is a current masters/phd student studying Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder. I'm sure he'd be willing to shed some light on it for you.

Good luck! I'm also getting my masters... in accounting.

**naut** · 07-30-2010, 01:22

Originally Posted by Ice

Good luck! I'm also getting my masters... in accounting.

Ouch.

I love Market Research. It is, as they proverbially say: where it is at.

**Ser Clegane** · 07-28-2010, 08:27

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

So the whole getting a job thing after college isn't working out, and I'm looking at Grad School for a master's in Chemical Engineering.

So, any tips? Guides on how to make the best application? Study guides for the GRE?

Thanks,
CR

All the best - probably a good idea to go for a master degree now, as I can imagine that getting a job in the chemical industry is extremely difficult now after all the serious cost cutting that the chemical companies were doing last year.
Might be better again once you are finished with the degree.

**PanzerJaeger** · 07-29-2010, 04:33

Good luck!

I'll be applying to grad school to get my MBA soon, and work experience is even more important than GMAT scores. I imagine it is a bit different for chemical engineering, though.

**Hosakawa Tito** · 07-29-2010, 23:22

You're not the only one employing that same strategy. The job market is tougher for your age group than any I ever remember. Even 1980-1982 wasn't this bad. Keep plugging and good luck CR.

**Centurion1** · 07-30-2010, 00:04

you cant get a job with a bachelors in chem engineering?

What grad school are you thinking i know you live in washington, washington state washington u?

panzer you already have a degree? I thought you were my age!