Which Mechanical Engineering/Automotive Engineering Graduate School?

[drumad]

^depends on what engineering he does

[gkurey]

To the OP, look into Wisconsin. I've got several friends in the post grad ME-related programs there...both guys were big into FSAE in undergrad and really like the program. Its also pretty affordable and do some really good research.

[blefevre]

Not to be negative but if you don't really want to be a professor or do research then I would reconsider your decision. Like people have stated, the job market just isn't there to say "I want to do engineering on cars". I was in the same position and am working on vacuum systems for computer chips, tvs, and solar panels. You are in a good position by having a very good resume, but I would consider doing systems engineering. Focus on something can be related to cars such as dynamics, structures, etc. That way you are not limiting yourself to only the field in automotive engineering. A MS in systems engineering makes you prepared for a very wide range of jobs. Just my .02

As for schools, in your position I would pick the highest ranked school you can afford. You seem very smart and motivated so you could really succeed and have a good resume at the end of it.

I would have continued to get a masters after my BS in mechanical engineering by my student loan debt is in the Lamborghini territory so I need to pay that off.

[drumad]

Not to be negative but if you don't really want to be a professor or do research then I would reconsider your decision. Like people have stated, the job market just isn't there to say "I want to do engineering on cars". I was in the same position and am working on vacuum systems for computer chips, tvs, and solar panels. You are in a good position by having a very good resume, but I would consider doing systems engineering. Focus on something can be related to cars such as dynamics, structures, etc. That way you are not limiting yourself to only the field in automotive engineering. A MS in systems engineering makes you prepared for a very wide range of jobs. Just my .02

As for schools, in your position I would pick the highest ranked school you can afford. You seem very smart and motivated so you could really succeed and have a good resume at the end of it.

I would have continued to get a masters after my BS in mechanical engineering by my student loan debt is in the Lamborghini territory so I need to pay that off.

Yes, yes, yes.

Although the saying "do what you love and you'll never work a day" is completely right. I'm making money and will eventually make more with my masters degree. And I love money.

[Conki]

Haha yes.

You guys are all right, and I thought of most of these factors already.
I would only do an automotive engineering program if a car company sponsored me with guaranteed placement in the end.
I love cars, but I'm really interested in everything mechanical engineering related as well. Too bad Fresno State only focuses on HVAC, I couldn't care less about that area, even though it's continuously expanding and becoming more and more dominant as more effective heating and cooling solutions are needed.

I also considered a Master of Engineering degree, but that would make it harder if I decided to go for a PhD.

I have a good list of schools now, I just have to start working on the statement of purpose essays before the deadlines are up:)

[drumad]

I'm only doing a ME in Systems bc I know damn well I do not want a Ph.D. I do not see a point and I do not like teaching.

Plus I enjoy coursework a smidge more than a research-focused path.

[Bimmerman325i]

I'm going through the same process as you. I currently go to CU-Boulder. I'm applying to Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan Ann Arbor, and CU, possibly Georgia, and am going for my PhD.

I saw you are looking at CSU.....here are my reasons why I would avoid them like the plague for a graduate degree.

1) Not prestigious as all (ranked ~113 this past year in Mech E). I can find the exact number if you want, but CSU is ranked ~113 in Mech E vs CU's 13 vs Stanford's 2. (source: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/Resdoc/index.htm). I have the report at home, I don't here at school, so more detailed/accurate numbers have to wait a bit.
2) Their automotive engineering program is housed in two portable buildings
3) Fort Collins <<<< Boulder, plus we have a freaking live Buffalo as a mascot, they have a Goat. (this would be a non-serious reason)

As far as automotive engineering goes, two friends of mine got their auto eng masters at Clemson and are now working for BMW and Michelin. Clemson's not super highly ranked, but the program is super recent.

I thought about doing automotive engineering as a career, and did an internship at BMW in Germany, and realized I absolutely do not want to do my hobby as my career. I've always been interested in bioengineering as well, so that's what I'm looking more at.

Stanford does have a good Vehicle Dynamics lab as well that I'm hoping to get accepted to work in.

[Conki]

I'm going through the same process as you. I currently go to CU-Boulder.

I'm applying to Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan Ann Arbor, and CU, possibly Georgia.

I saw you are looking at CSU.....here are my reasons why I would avoid them like the plague for a graduate degree.

1) Not prestigious as all (ranked ~113 this past year in Mech E)
2) Their automotive engineering program is housed in two portable buildings

Are you talking about Cal Poly? That's like a backup school if I don't make it anywhere else for some reason.

Are you trying to get a full ride at the schools you mentioned? What are you qualifications like? I hear they are really competitive, especially Berkeley and Stanford.

[Bimmerman325i]

Are you talking about Cal Poly? That's like a backup school if I don't make it anywhere else for some reason.

Are you trying to get a full ride at the schools you mentioned? What are you qualifications like? I hear they are really competitive, especially Berkeley and Stanford.

No, Colorado State University.

I am trying to get a full ride, and have/am applying for NSF and NDSEG fellowships. My GRE was 620/730/5.5, which is great except for the math, and I've got a 3.8 overall despite working 10-20 hrs + full time student since freshman year in internships/engineering job. I'm a veritable functioning insomniac at this point tho.

The schools look for more than just book-smart folks-- the schools could fill their entire incoming class with 4.0 student-bots, but they don't for a reason. They want quality people in addition to the "input book output grade" folks.

Feel free to PM me about the whole process.....I had some great guidance and would be happy to help. BTW, Berkeley's due date is Thursday, do work son.

EDIT- I'd highly recommend you take a look at CU's MechE grad school. It's highly ranked, has some great professors and research areas (and tons of biomed companies locally if that's your fancy), but has little to no automotive stuff since FSAE disappeared.

I'd also counsel you, regardless of where you go, to get a MechE instead of Auto or Aero degree. Both Auto and Aero are really specialized versions of Mech, with the disadvantage of not being seen as broad enough to work outside Auto/Aero. Having a Mech degree won't impact your ability to get an Auto/Aero job, especially if you take electives or do projects/research in those areas, but at the end of the day you have the broader more applicable degree.

[b*saint]

Umass

[mrsleeve]

Kettering /Thread


I had a chance to go there right outta H.S., and kick my self every day for not taking it.

[imdashiz]

Kettering /Thread


I had a chance to go there right outta H.S., and kick my self every day for not taking it.

/thread

[freeride53]

Cal poly has a great Engineering program, my dad went there.
I'm applied to UC San Diego, Cal, UCLA, George Washington, Cornell, and UCSB

[freeride53]

Cal Poly is tough to get into, but only because it's the most popular CSU.
I was going to apply there, but they don't have rowing.

[drumad]

Cal poly has a great Engineering program, my dad went there.
I'm applied to UC San Diego, Cal, UCLA, George Washington, Cornell, and UCSB