Applying to graduate school after 5 years "off"

[franksta]

I graduated in 2002 with a BSEE and have worked ever since. Now I'm wanting to go back for a master's degree. I took the GRE a couple of weeks ago and did well. I wrote my statement of purpose last week but I've been polishing it while I wait for the online applications to accept submissions for the 2007 fall semester. Also getting some letters of recommendation writen by bosses and co-workers.

The plan is to study electrical engineering focusing on microfabrication. I'll be going to school full-time and my wife will support us. (Yes, she is awesome). My top picks for schools are The University of Texas and UCLA. I don't know what my chances of being accepted are so I'm a bit nervous. I do have some others in mind but they are all top schools.

Just one question:
- Any idea on how long it takes for a decision to be made? I remember when I was applying to undergraduate schools you could do "Early Decision" and get a fast response but you were bound to it.

 

[oboeguy]

No advice or anything here, but a vote of confidence, at least: go for it!

 

[rgwalt]

In chemical engineering, they start sending out letters after the first of the year. Your master's program could be different. Is it a thesis (research) masters?

Why do you want to go back? A master's isn't a bad idea, especially if you'll pick up some valuable skills along the way.

R

 

[tmc]

yup, go for it. i went for MS in CS (part time), now i am continuing with ph.d. all the best!!!

 

[Special K]

I applied to 10 schools (EE grad school) as a senior undergrad in 2004. Apps were due anywhere from mid-December to as late as February 1st. I believe I received my first reply in late February, and my last one in mid-April. None of the programs had any kind of "early decision" option.

 

[franksta]

I Talked to my boss yesterday to let him know of my decision. He made a couple of good suggestions and was otherwise extremely supportive. Thanks for the well-wishes and information guys.

 

[Jassi]

Why not University of Michigan? They have a great fab (best in Michigan, I think), good family life (in my opinion) and the only drawback in Michigan weather (you get used to it).

 

[DaShen]

DO IT! :thumbsup:

And UT is a great school

 

[TheAdvocate]

You will get way more out of grad school as an experienced real worlder than the kids straight out of undergrad.

If anything, I think you are doing it the right way, as opposed to the kids trying to put off getting a job for a couple more years.

 

[erub]

If you did well on the GRE and had good grades in undergrad, plus your work experience, I think you will be fine. I went thru the process last year, applied to two schools, both about a week before their deadline. Georgia Tech had an app deadline Dec 1, so all of the stuff was done before then - the letters of rec (which for both UT and GT are online forms, emailed to the people!) trickled in over the next couple of weeks after that.

University of Texas I sent my app in about a week before the deadline (mid-Jan?) and I had an acceptance in hand by end of Jan, and two fellowships came in the mail in Feburary from them. I think being a native Texan (they gotta report to the legislature where all this money is going, and they would like it to stay in state) and having gone to their rival school and done well put me at the top of their pile

I ended up taking a teaching assistantship at GT (well in reality I have to grade papers a couple hrs a week, and hold office hrs 3 hrs a week, not a bad deal for free tuition plus a stipend), and am now already drowning in work in the second week of class

One hint, if you put down "M.S. then Ph.D." you will be much more likely to get funding/assistantship, free tuition and stipend FTW I had to call GT and tell them I was considering Ph.D afterwards (truth) to get my TA position. Oh yeah, GT's acceptance letter came towards the end of Jan as well, money didn't come until I called them during spring break and told them I wouldn't pay out of state tuition to go there

 

[franksta]

Jassi: I've heard that Michigan is a great school. I love cold weather but my wife, eh not so much.

TheAdvocate: The students I've spoken with have said it increases my chances of an acceptance but that remains to be seen. When I graduated the job market was slim but fortunately I found one. I had enough of engineering school at the time and needed a break. Break time is up!

erub: Georgia Tech is one of my backup schools. The only drawback to it is my dislike of Atlanta. On the plus side it's only about 3 hours from here which would make for a much more pleasant relocation. I don't want to pursue a PhD at this time so I guess I'll take my chances on the funding.

I talked to someone in admissions at UTexas and they said the Fall '07 application would be available online on the first of September. The wait after I apply is going to kill me. I think UCLA's is a week after that and I haven't checked Georgia's.
Again, thanks everyone.

 

[Cutterhead]

Originally posted by: TheAdvocate
You will get way more out of grad school as an experienced real worlder than the kids straight out of undergrad.

If anything, I think you are doing it the right way, as opposed to the kids trying to put off getting a job for a couple more years.

I would have to agree. I thought from the thread title that you had just been bumming around for 5 years! Going in to grad school with real work experience seems like the best way to go, IMHO. Certainly nothing to worry about.

 

[FallenHero]

Awesome man. Education never hurt. Never give up. Your wife rocks for supporting you as well. Mad props all around!

 

[Otaking]

Go Horns! :beer:

Great school, great city, great learning environment. You can't go wrong with UT-Austin.

Edit: Now if I could only get into MBA school here...

 

[franksta]

I switched to chemical engineering after taking the advice from my boss and submitted the application to Texas last night. I still need to get my undergraduate transcripts sent. Thanks for the support.

 

[Spikesoldier]

have a baked good

 

[franksta]

Just a small update. I decided not to apply to UCLA, only UTexas and Georgia Tech. Everything has been submitted to Georgia Tech (online reference letters!) and my references will be mailing their letters to Texas this week. Now I get to play the waiting game, of which I am an expert.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

Originally posted by: franksta
I switched to chemical engineering after taking the advice from my boss and submitted the application to Texas last night. I still need to get my undergraduate transcripts sent. Thanks for the support.

wow, that seems random...i guess chem e still has applications to microfab

 

[fitzov]

I didn't think graduate work was necessary for engineering--I learn something every day.

 

[franksta]

Originally posted by: iwantanewcomputer

Originally posted by: franksta
I switched to chemical engineering after taking the advice from my boss and submitted the application to Texas last night. I still need to get my undergraduate transcripts sent. Thanks for the support.

wow, that seems random...i guess chem e still has applications to microfab

It has only to do with people's perception. Electrical engineers are seen as device guys (know how the thing works) while chemical engineers are viewed more as knowing how to develop the manufacturing processes. Depending on what you specialize in both are capable of the same work in either area.

 

[franksta]

I was denied acceptance to the University of Texas at Austin. What a freaking wonderful birthday gift.

 

[AgentEL]

sorry to hear. hope things work out for GT

 

[erub]

Originally posted by: franksta
I was denied acceptance to the University of Texas at Austin. What a freaking wonderful birthday gift.

bummer. well hopefully you can join me as a Ramblin Wreck this fall!

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: franksta
I was denied acceptance to the University of Texas at Austin. What a freaking wonderful birthday gift.

Did you write to them and ask why?
Some schools will tell you but some won't.


I'm going through the same thing right now, waiting for my results.

 

[Rumpltzer]

You were denied UT Austin already?? You did well on your GRE and had decent grades in undergrad? What work experience did you have?

I agree that UT Austin and Georgia Tech are good silicon schools. I would have applied to UCLA and Berkeley for silicon despite my hatred for living in CA. Has the Univ of Florida application deadline passed already?


I didn't realize the perception of ChemEs being process guys. I'm a EE in compound semiconductor device development and fab. It's true that most all of us device guys are EE. It's also true that most of the process guys are ChemEs but I thought that it was a prejudice in the fab engineering managers (who are also mostly ChemEs).

My biggest complaint about the ChemEs is that they don't know squat (nothing at all) about the device and test. I'll also complain about them not knowing a lot about the fab either, but that might be a reflection on those who've been hired here rather than a general complaint about ChemEs.


My other thoughts about your effort are:
(1) Unless you have kids and/or want to maintain the same standard of living that you have now, your grad school in engineering will be paid for and you'll have a small (~$1600-$2200 per month) stipend. Your wife won't need to support you too much.

(2) What line of work are you in now? Do they not offer to pay for your masters at your current workplace, or are you moving into a new field?

(3) Masters degrees (or those who have them) are a dime a dozen, and they don't seem to have gotten a lot out of it. Get a PhD.

(4) Haiku:
Processing is fun
Naked in my bunny suit
HF hurts my tongue

(5) Good luck!