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By Jeffrey Labrecque
What
to consider. Undergraduates should think seriously
about their professional goals before selecting a graduate
program. A terminal or practical master's is generally a two-year
program, emphasizing more applied courses. Other master's
programs combine intensive research with classroom studies
and are a prelude to a Ph.D. degree and a future in research
or academia.
While it's important
to take account of a school's reputation and research facilities
when choosing a program, it's also essential to consider who
your faculty adviser will be. A mentor's professional reputation
and connections will have a large bearing on a student's future,
especially at the Ph.D. level.
The
application. Students should contact schools during
the summer before senior year, because the requirements and
timetable for admissions differ greatly from program to program.
Schools rely on GRE scores, recommendations, and especially
on the undergraduate GPA. Getting undergraduate research experience
is not vital to gaining admission to a competitive program.
But, those students who do research as undergrads are more
likely to develop a strong relationship with a professor,
making an impressive letter of recommendation more likely,
according to Jerome Cohen, dean of Northwestern's McCormick
School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Since many programs
do not require an in-person interview, an applicant's personal
statement is a crucial factor. ''Schools are looking for engineers
who have capabilities beyond the old `problem solver' description
to now include problem identifier, problem definer, and then
problem solver,'' says James Wagner, engineering dean at Case
Western Reserve University.
Finances.
Most Ph.D. students receive research or teaching assistantships
that provide for tuition and basic living expenses. Over 75
percent of doctoral candidates work as research assistants,
according to a Kaplan survey. For terminal master's students,
money is scarce. Engineers who are returning to school from
the work force or going to school part time while continuing
to work should inquire with their employer about assistance,
since some companies have funds available for continuing education.
Stafford loans and other sources of federal financial aid
are available to qualified students who complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid. The U.S. Department of
Education financial-aid Web page
offers options and information on how to proceed.
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