to get into a grad school masters program

[skim milk]

it certainly can't hurt but what if the applicant doesn't have any?

as long as the grades and the GRE score are there

 

[gopunk]

what field?

in computer science, most of the time the masters programs are just classes... unless, you were thinking of applying for phd and then failing your quals or something. for phd comp sci, i think they don't really care much about the GRE score, but place a high emphasis on research experience and recommendations from those you did research with.

 

[khlee]

masters in cs can be research oriented too, esp at top 10 programs

 

[vegetation]

Depends entirely on the program. For professional schools such as law and business, no research is required for entrance at the Masters level. For science or even social science oriented degrees, then research is absolutely necessary at any school worth its salt.

 

[skim milk]

I'm talking about a technical field.. like industrial engineering

 

[magomago]

I was told if I thought at graduate school (engineer here), to NOT do research would really hurt you

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: magomago
I was told if I thought at graduate school (engineer here), to NOT do research would really hurt you

no.. I mean for admission.

internship/research during undergrad

 

[MrX82]

dont worry about if you dont have any. letters of reccomendations from professors are more important.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: MrX82
dont worry about if you dont have any. letters of reccomendations from professors are more important.

Only if you've helped done research for them. A letter of rec stating how you got an A and participated in class only regurgitates your transcript and thus is thrown out by the admission committee.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: khlee
masters in cs can be research oriented too, esp at top 10 programs

i haven't looked at all the top 10 programs, but for example, MIT, the masters is something you pick up along the way to a PhD, and the 'consolation prize' for those who do poorly on their quals.