Should I Bother Applying To Top Schools?

Gator88NE
Fri, 16 Jun 2017 14:43:07 +0000

Once you start researching schools, you’re going to run into this “problem”, UF’s MSE program is typically ranked among the top ten graduate and undergraduate materials science and engineering programs in the nation. It’s an exceptional program. You’ll only find about a dozen other programs it’s equal or better. You’ll also find that with a Bright Futures scholarship (which likely will be paying full tuition +$300 a semester for books), UF will be affordable. UF even offers good need-based aid and programs for first generation students. UF will be extremely competitive based on cost.

http://fos.ufsa.ufl.edu/
http://firstgeneration.ufsa.ufl.edu/

That’s a hard combination to beat.

Of those schools with excellent MSE programs, many will be way too expensive, especially compared to in-state at UF. Those that offer excellent merit, are also lotto schools (MIT, Stanford, Cal Tech), others offer little to no aid to OOS students (UC-Berkeley, UC-SB), or if they do, it’s to a very limited number of students (GT and it’s Stamps scholarships).

By all means do your research. Create a list of schools with comparable MSE programs (say 20?). Figure out which ones could be affordable(research scholarships, including external scholarships) and apply. While acceptance to UF is likely, it’s holistic admission process can seem random at times. Make sure you have some safeties and other options.

Compared to other other engineering programs, only a limited number of schools have excellent MSE programs. Currently in the US, we have over 600,000 undergraduates enrolled in engineering programs, but only about 7,000 in Metallurgical and Materials engineering. Your choice of major does limited the number of schools that you would consider.

If you’re open to a major other than MSE, then many other schools could be considered, and some of them could be competitive (based on price) with UF.

Otherwise, MSE is an excellent major. Don’t let anything I’ve written turn you off to it.

EDIT: To your original question. Yes, you should apply to several top schools. Be selective, do your research, and if UF is your best choice, go after it aggressively (apply for the scholarships, work on that admissions essay, etc.).

Good Luck!