How to get in MIT/Stanford/Berkeley Engineering?

boundary
Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:07:37 +0000

You should be aware that for Stanford mechanical you MUST complete an MS before going on to a PhD (you cannot go BS => PhD). If you apply to the PhD program your application will be switched to the MS pool (but your intentions for a PhD will be noted) The PhD applications are almost entirely internal for MS students who would like to continue on and have secured funding from a faculty member or outside source (NSF, NDSEG, etc).

Stanford’s MS program is considerably easier to get into than MIT or Berkeley. Stanford’s program is only course-based, whereas the other two require a thesis (I know MIT does, have to double check on Berkeley).

That being said, if you get in you will most likely have to pay your way through (for an MS). Stanford accepts a ton of people but fund very few. People often say that Stanford’s uses its MS program as a “cash cow.”

Overall, I think you have a decent shot at getting into Stanford. I got in and your stats are a little higher than mine, but I applied out of undergrad with a lot of research exp and great recs.