<p>Hello everyone,
Currently I’m in a top 3 engineering school in canada. I’m in third year and my cumulative average is 3.1. However, for the last couple of semester my average is around 3.9-4.0 (yes, i did horribly in first year).</p>
<p>I have been awarded NSERC undergraduate research fellowship for this summer. And I wonder if this research award is well recognized among US schools for a M.S or MEng degree. I will be applying to Ivy-equivalent schools next year, and I wonder if my NSERC research grant will help me get there despite my poor cumulative average. Thanks!</p>
<p>^ I don’t think most on this forum- who are students- would know the answer. </p>
<p>As a professor who has taught in the US and Canada, I believe it would be looked upon highly. Although it may vary by field, my American colleagues are very familiar with NSERC grants (having often served as reviewers). It can only help, as can your much higher later GPA which is much more indicative than your overall GPA (lots of students struggle with adjustment early on, and faculty DO read transcripts and care more about the senior coursework that is more closely tied to the graduate degree). If you have solid LORs (likely with your NSERC), and strong GRE, you will do well. </p>
<p>But don’t get hung up on “Ivy-equivalent” schools. Apply to a range of medium to top schools in both Canada and the US, and choose the strongest one in your specific area of interest that accepts you.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your feedback! I was wondering, are there any specific schools that you would suggest me to apply? Also, should I wait for my fourth year grades before applying for masters? Would that increase my chances of getting admitted to top schools? And lastly, since I’m currently more research focused, should I apply for a research-based masters degree rather than a MEng degree? </p>