Grad school admissions questions

[LS20]

firstly, please answer only with certainty/experience instead of hearsay and speculation

I'm only now considering graduate school.. I'm looking to do a masters in geology/earth science.

It's my current belief that recommendation/networking is most important for admissions... because youre really seeking specific faculty in the new school, they'd like connections/recommendations from the faculty at your current school... because youre going for a very specific area of study (as opposed to undergrad studies)

so from the above, recommendations are much more important than undergrad grades...


am i wrong? if so, is there some sort of general rule-of-thumb for where GPA and GRE should be for admissions into a science programs at the following schools... or for graduate schools in general :

Washington (seattle, not st louis)
Oregon
Oregon State
Colorado
Colorado State
Wisconsin

and a "lower-tiered" University of Houston

 

[Reel]

Most of my experience it was GPA + GRE scores that mattered most. In rare cases where you had something exceptional, you could probably outweigh them but generally those two will decide your admissions. The best bet if your numbers aren't high enough is to get an ally on the inside.

 

[CountZero]

When I was apping I talked to a few profs about what was most important and, at least for engineering, GRE meant very very little as long as you don't do poorly on it. GPA was important if you didn't do anything extracuricular during undergrad. Reccomendations are very important, make sure you get them from people that know your work very well and can say more than what grade you got and that you did all your work well. Also knowing exactly what it is you want to research can help alot.

Inside connections can only do so much as your app will usually go through several people and it is their collective opinion that will get you in.

And lastly every school is different. GRE was not important for engineering where I applied but might be at those schools/depts. They might use panels to determine who gets in, the essay might weigh very heavily or not at all.

I'd contact specific faculty you want to work with and start a dialog with them on what you want to do.

 

[Koenigsegg]

Penis size is important.

 

[Hyudra]

I am too looking into a MBA. What is the GRE? I thought the GMAT was the test to take?

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: Hyudra
I am too looking into a MBA. What is the GRE? I thought the GMAT was the test to take?

well if you read the post carefully you would have noticed that he's not considering a MBA, but a MS

 

[quentinterintino]

Originally posted by: LS20
firstly, please answer only with certainty/experience instead of hearsay and speculation

I'm only now considering graduate school.. I'm looking to do a masters in geology/earth science.

It's my current belief that recommendation/networking is most important for admissions... because youre really seeking specific faculty in the new school, they'd like connections/recommendations from the faculty at your current school... because youre going for a very specific area of study (as opposed to undergrad studies)

so from the above, recommendations are much more important than undergrad grades...


am i wrong? if so, is there some sort of general rule-of-thumb for where GPA and GRE should be for admissions into a science programs at the following schools... or for graduate schools in general :

Washington (seattle, not st louis)
Oregon
Oregon State
Colorado
Colorado State
Wisconsin

and a "lower-tiered" University of Houston

Personally, I think it has more to do with funding. Of course, you have to posses the minimum requirements for applicants.

 

[cchen]

As for GPA and GRE scores, you can always check the websites of the schools you're applying to get a sense of where you should be. GPA is important... GRE is not as important, but you can't mess up on it

 

[WildHorse]

Just phone the admissions office of youir target school, and ask to speak with an admissions counselor, or similar.

Pitch 'em your question.

If they're close go visit them...no substitute for face time.

 

[intogamer]

Originally posted by: Koenigsegg
Penis size is important.

:laugh::roll:

 

[RabidMongoose]

I've always considered the GRE more of a requirement instead than anything else. GPA is very important, IMO. I suppose if you have some nice research type work then that would be fantastic, too.