Getting Into Engineering School

Here are four tips to increase your chances of getting into the school of your choice.

How do I increase my chances of getting into engineering school?

Entry to master's and doctoral programs in any engineering school is competitive. Most engineering schools look for a competitive score (above 1300 and in the 90th percentile in the quantitative section) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and a GPA above 3.5. To maximize your chances of getting in:

  • Work closely with your advisor. Your advisor will guide you through the admission process.
  • Gain lab experience. Volunteer in a research lab and write about your results.
  • Stellar letters of recommendation. Get letters of recommendation from faculty members or community leaders who know you well and have supervised your work directly.
  • Excellent communication skills. Convey in your application and interview why you're a superb choice and wholly qualified to undergo training to become an engineer.

What are the criteria for admission to graduate study?

Most schools require a bachelor's degree in a related area such as computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering. Other degrees in fields such as mathematics, biology, chemistry or physics are also considered.