An unorthodox grad applicant for mechanical engineering, what are my chances

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am hoping to apply for a masters in mechanical engineering at some of top schools, and then some middle ranked ones. I am probably a very unorthodox applicant. Not only am I older, but I also have suffered major health setbacks. Despite this I am hoping to get great research and educational opportunities in the next few years. I want to apply to Georgia Tech’s masters in mechanical engineering program for example. So I was wondering how hard that will be for me to do with the following background?</p>

<p>I went to a relatively well regarded private school for 4 years, and got about a 3.3 GPA, with 2 years of research in Chemistry. Then I worked in Washington DC in the Senate for about half a year. During this time I had decided that I wanted to go into engineering for grad school. I went to a state university as a non degree student to take some engineering courses to prepare for an application and boost my GPA. Unfortunately during this time I had suffered some major health setbacks which more or less devastated my life for about a year. I have both an undiagnosed neurological disorder, as well as schizophrenia. Some of my experiences were probably too terrible to discuss on a college application, and I have kept absolutely silent about this with all internships and jobs thereafter. After another half a year I went to basically a commuter school for mechanical engineering. However I ultimately just pursued an undergrad degree. In the first semester I got 3.75, then the next three I got 4.0 GPA.
I had one good research opportunity lined up but then that professor took maternity leave, and subsequently left the department. So I got no further research experience, but did work a little on the side to pay for cheaper school while my awesome parents took me in. </p>

<p>Then I took at job after graduating, but it is not related at all to my long term career or academic interests. </p>

<p>So is my application valid, or does my non traditional path pose obstacles to me? I am wondering because I have already spent some time planning out an application to scores of schools in particular Ga Tech, Columbia, and Michigan are favorites (with of course some less elite ones).</p>

<p>Also my biggest dilemma is that I dont know how to avoid mentioning my health problems for grad admissions. I was taking classes and have two semester’s of withdrawals and then a break after. I feel that the admissions advisors may think that I was on drugs and dropped out if I dont tell them about my health problems. Yet these often carry a stigma, in particular schizophrenia.</p>

<p>If you read all of that thank you, and any input would be greatly appreciated</p>

2

<p>It should not be a problem to just mention health issues if you want to explain the gaps in your academic record, however, no further detail is required. It sounds as though your GPA in the engineering program is quite good and that will be a plus for your application. I suspect that your non-traditional background will not be a huge problem, however many engineering programs like to see that students have some real-world engineering experience before going for a Masters. I would suggest that you apply to some less selective schools in addition to your first choices just to hedge your bets.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your insight. I am planning on applying to many schools (at least 10, maybe more), and those were top choices. Mainly I wanted to know how my record appeared to someone in academia, especially how to treat the worst point of that. I am working in engineering, but not really in the field of engineering that I want to be in. So I feel that graduate school can both give me the chance to do good research, further my education, and knowledge, and it can give me more opportunities to branch out into areas of industry that interest me more.</p>