With years of experience preparing engineers for their careers – and as an Accepted admissions consultant since 2015 – I’ve seen what works and doesn’t work when one is applying to master’s and PhD programs in engineering. Whether you’re applying in software engineering, chemical engineering, computer science, civil engineering, systems, mechanical engineering, or biomedical engineering, you will benefit from the following tips: Determine your graduate school and post-grad school goals Understand GPA and test score requirements Explore a wide range of graduate engineering programs Know the research requirements Write a sizzling statement of purpose Prepare a relevant resume Snag first-rate letters of recommendation Reveal appealing personal qualities Create an application schedule…and stick to it And, don't miss my Admissions Straight Talk podcast episode, where I chat with Accepted founder Linda Abraham about how to get accepted to graduate engineering programs. Determine your graduate school and post-grad school goals Why is it important for an engineering applicant to define their short- and long-term goals in their application? The most basic reason is that most engineering programs require a statement of purpose. It’s extraordinarily difficult to write such a statement when your only purpose is to obtain a graduate degree! There are far more substantive reasons that you should have, and you’ll need to demonstrate clear goals in your application. Many undergraduate engineering students decide to do further study in their field for the following reasons: To develop their skills beyond the general education they gained as an undergraduate To specialize in an engineering discipline To further define or to change career direction These are all valid reasons for pursuing a graduate engineering degree, but they really don’t go far enough. Schools have learned from experience that applicants who understand the type of work they want to do post-graduation are more focused while studying and are better prepared for the job market upon graduation. Because applied engineering master’s programs are only one to two years in length, you don’t have as much time to “find yourself” as you did in undergrad. If you enter school with a clear goal in mind, you are more likely to do well academically and be better prepared to interview with hiring organizations when you’ve completed your studies. If you are pursuing a research program, the department will want to know what specific area of research you are targeting and with which professors. Aligning your goals with the vision of the program When applying to schools, you need to be accepted not only by the school but also by your target academic department, such as the following: Aerospace engineering Applied physics Biomedical engineering Chemical engineering Civil and environmental engineering Electrical engineering and computer science Industrial and operations engineering Mechanical engineering Robotics Top engineering programs (and their departments) have a strategic vision, with a set of values they use to help determine their curriculum. Often, the schools want to produce engineers who will pave the future in research, creating new products and services that are daring and innovative and that serve society. Other programs are more focused on practical and immediate application or problem-solving, either in business, defense, healthcare, or any number of fields. You need to understand the department’s vision and strengths as well as how those qualities will help you realize your goals. Include specifics As mentioned earlier, you will be required to write a statement of purpose as part of your engineering application. You are expected in this essay to describe your short- and long-term goals. What do you see yourself doing for three to five years after graduation?