GPA and Masters Program

Citan · 06-23-2008, 12:49 PM

I am an Electrical Engineering student at UCLA in my senior year, about to go into my fifth year starting next quarter (Fall). I will be applying to grad schools next quarter so my GPA right now is the GPA I will put down in the applications.

The current GPA I have is 3.42 (Cumulative) and around 3.46 (Upper Divs). Yea, it's kinda low but that's cause I messed up in my programming classes (bloody hell). I will be giving GREs in Fall and am preparing for them.

Anyway, UCLA had a guaranteed Masters program but the GPA required was 3.50, so I missed the boat...but I only blame myself for it. Regardless, I want to apply to the other UCs for the EE Masters program and had UCI, UCSD, UCSB, UCSC and UCLA in mind (and maybe CSU SLO/Pomona as safeties). I am also doing research with a Professor (in Communications) atm, so I have that area covered. I would like to know if I have chances (if any) at any of these programs, because I am not really sure about the GPAs required to get in a EE Masters program.

Forgot to mention, I was a transfer student and my transfer GPA was 3.80. Will this be looked at too?

ken285 · 06-23-2008, 01:01 PM

Is there any way you can talk to the professor you're doing research with? Sometimes they might be flexible if you can have someone vouch for you. It's worth a shot, assuming UCLA is where you want to be.

Citan · 06-23-2008, 05:34 PM

Yea, I will try that...actually my top choices are UCLA, UCSD and UCI. I was just wondering if my GPA is good enough...

electrifice · 06-23-2008, 08:58 PM

I am interested in this also... What is a decent GPA, especially for top programs? I know the higher the better, but good research experience is apparently equally, or even more important...?

tahncol86 · 06-23-2008, 10:44 PM

For top programs, people with perfect GPAs with no research experience can get rejected. I hear that not "good", but "relevant" research to prepare for graduate school is imperative.

jjsoa1 · 06-24-2008, 02:34 AM

even for masters? I knew it was that difficult to get into phd programs straight from undergrad, but I was not aware that top masters were just as hard.

ken285 · 06-24-2008, 07:17 AM

I got into Columbia, CMU, and UIUC with absolutely zero research experience.

tahncol86 · 06-24-2008, 08:08 AM

Then I guess relative research is not required for MS. But still, research can only help increase your chances.

jessiehl · 06-24-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

For top programs, people with perfect GPAs with no research experience can get rejected. I hear that not "good", but "relevant" research to prepare for graduate school is imperative.

This would be true if we were talking about PhDs. Master's programs are a different beast.

I think you've got a decent shot at most of your programs. Your GPA is really not *bad*, and you're coming out of a very good school. Just make sure that you have safeties and/or a backup plan, get good letters of recommendation, do well on the GRE, and write a good SOP, and I think you'll be fine.

YOU · 06-24-2008, 09:41 PM

ken285, what were your other stats? Did you pay the Masters on your own?

OP, just wondering.. whether you could pull your GPA up to 3.50 and apply a year later.. get some research/work experience during that year..If I were you, I would rather wait a year and get into a better school.

Citan · 06-24-2008, 11:12 PM

I don't feel like wasting a whole year for getting a Masters, and frankly I am put off by the idea of working full time and getting a MS at the same time...seems like too much work and stress. I would rather be done with school as soon as I can.

ken285 · 06-25-2008, 08:04 AM

I had a 3.5 GPA and a 3.9 or 4.0 in-major GPA. GRE scores was 800 for math, 580 or 590 for verbal, and a 3 for the writing section. No research experience, but I did have internships beginning the summer after freshman year and during the academic year in my junior and senior years. And yes, I paid for it, though CMU offered me $12,500 in exchange for some unspecified "service to the department." It wouldn't have been the workload of a TA/RA though... just odd things here and there helping out with research I guess.

Citan, you say that a 3.50 would guarantee admission into the program. Does that mean people under a 3.50 can get in as well, but admission is not guaranteed? I'd apply regardless, especially since your GPA is so close.

nshah9617 · 06-25-2008, 10:27 AM

I agree with Citan, if you are borderline, go ahead and apply anyway. I'd have your professor to try to vouch for you and have a straighforward research goal for your personal statement.