I know this is an unusual question but I have a friend and his circumstances just changed so he’s decided to start graduate school this Fall 2015. I advised that there aren’t any top graduate degree programs in Northern California that would be accepting students for Fall 2015. He is looking for a Masters in Engineering (general, business, management, and/or technology). If you know of any way to gain admission to a program at the last minute please pass them along. Thanks, in advance!
Is he paying full price? Is he industrially sponsored? Can he start in January? Can he start working and then get a Masters?
Yes, he would be paying full price and has the funds. No sponsors. Yes, he can start in January. He would prefer just to do the masters and doesn’t need to work while he’s attending school.
Top graduate programs require applications to be submitted in Dec Jan.
So he has time to prepare his applications for 2016
It is unlikely that any so-called “top” programs would even consider applications at this time. Possibly for January 2016 but maybe even not then. As @menloparkmom says, the soonest will be Fall 2016 most likely.