Engineering GPA and Grad School

Engineerjw
Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:17:29 +0000

Yes, this is a very common topic area. I want to ask a question on a down-to-earth level. So I see that some of the top engineering graduate programs have high average GPAs. Even higher than some top programs for liberal arts majors have. I also know that for engineering, anything above a 3.0 pretty much is considered okay. So how is there so much disparity?

I mean, at these programs are the students just super students who are well above average? Are there plenty of students with engineering GPA’s 3.5+? People always tell me to shoot for at least a 3.2 ish gpa, but as far as I am concerned, I want a 3.5+. Is every engineering major admitted to a law school or business school just way above average because they pulled a high GPA?

It is like the quote “Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded.” Except I am thinking

“No one gets a high GPA in engineering; be happy to get a 3.0.” Based on statistics, it is hard to believe the average GPA is so low if other students apparently get much higher GPAs - enough students to fill all the top programs. An example would be the Princeton MSF program; the admissions are extremely competitive for anyone. But since a program like this looks heavily upon grades, naturally I would think engineers have a tougher time getting admitted; notwithstanding, many do.

I want to do well in college, and I honestly believe I have excellent work habits; however, if I ever want to go a top graduate school for any field I am deathly worried that I will be sub par due to at the moment I am not a typical genius high school kid who posts on this site.

If engineers are admitted to these programs, why can’t I? Engineers are all the best and the brightest. But can I actually be one of those few with a mega GPA?

Or GRE scores? If I did not score an 800 SAT math, is it at all possible on the GRE?

Seriously, do any of you know anyone who actually did break a 3.5 engineering GPA? Because if I want to live the stupid cliche dream of every overly ambitious newbie of getting into a Stanford graduate program, I at least want to know that I have a realistic chance at doing it. It was already a hard enough blow scoring a 670 on the math SAT while I break the curves in my math class. Because although I have good study habits, I am not one of those math whiz types - just a simple kid that does and wants to continue to succeed.