Graduate school is an opportunity to pursue your educational interests, specialize in a subject area and skill set, and further your professional development. Whether you have long-term interests in research, academia, or industry, this path is available for immediate start after your undergraduate program or after you begin a full-time industry role. 

What can I do now to explore and prepare for graduate programs? 

Ways to gain experience

Is graduate school right for me? Am I ready for the time and financial commitments? Graduate school takes time, money and work for a successful experience. Think about the following as you consider pursuing a graduate degree:

Goals + long-term career planning

  • Your chosen career field may require an advanced degree for the role itself, or for advancement within the company/organization.

Specific disciplines + connection to undergraduate experiences

  • What specific topics or interest areas do you have and how has your previous experience shaped your future path?

Interest in research + project work

  • Are you motivated by research and project work?

Financial costs + time commitments

  • Can you commit to the entire duration of the program? How will you support yourself financially throughout this process?

  • Assistantships | Assistantships are opportunities offered at the university to help you gain professional experience in your field of interest, make connections, and earn compensation. They typically require 20 hours per week. Dependent upon the assistantship, they can include a monthly stipend and tuition waiver or a monthly stipend without tuition support. Most often, there are three different types of assistantships that distinguish the type of duties most related to the position.
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) | Duties related to the instruction and assessment of undergraduate students, working alongside a faculty member to help design a syllabus, prepare exams, create materials, assist with lectures, meet with students, and grade student assignments
  • Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) | Work alongside a faculty member performing research in an area of shared academic interest, work in labs, clinics, or other on-campus facilities and assume practical or administrative tasks that help faculty members achieve the objectives they set out in their research. How to contact a potential PhD Advisor
  • Graduate Assistant (GA) | Typically, duties for administrative offices or departments. Duties vary widely depending on the department and role, but could include developing programs, providing advising or coaching to undergraduates, responsibilities for building facilities, completing technical tasks, or organizing data.
  • Principal Investigator (PI) | PIs are typically research-based professors who are responsible for overseeing the research that is conducted in their lab. Typically, a PI’s lab consists of graduate and undergraduate students and potentially a lab manager/post-undergraduate student (post-bacc) and/or post-doctoral student (post-doc)
  • Post-bacc | A full-time research position completed by someone with a Bachelor’s degree who is looking to obtain more research experience | ~ 2-year duration
  • Post-doc | A full-time research position completed by someone with a Doctorate degree who is looking to gain experience before obtaining a job in academia

There are several graduate degrees affiliated with engineering disciplines, as well as options that will allow you to meet other related long-term career goals:

Types of Engineering Programs

  • Master of Civil Engineering (MCE) | 1-2 year duration
  • Master of Engineering (ME) | 1-2 year duration
  • Master of Engineering Management (MEM) | 1-2 year duration
  • Master of Science (MS) | Thesis v. Non-thesis | 1-2 year duration
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 1-2 year duration
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | Dissertation | 4-7 year duration
  • Graduate Certificates | 6 months - 1 year duration

Where to search? 

For graduate programs, it is common to work with a specific faculty member or group of faculty members. When searching for a mentor, it can be helpful to identify your area of interest and find faculty who focus on that area.

Although different programs and opportunities vary in their approach to the recruitment, application, and admission process, the timeline below is a guideline to consider.

Third year | Summer

  • Develop a list of potential schools/ programs of interest
  • Prepare for required entrance exams (if applicable)
  • Draft application essays
  • Identify contacts you plan to ask to write letters of recommendation

 Fourth year

  • August - September
    • Finalize list of schools
    • Begin familiarizing with faculty + research opportunities at schools of interest
    • Ask faculty for recommendation letters
    • Review financial aid options and deadline
    • Take entrance exams
    • Begin drafting application materials
    • Finalize writing statement (if applicable)
  • October - November
    • Reach out to faculty of interest
    • Check due dates
    • Request review of application materials and incorporate feedback
    • Update your CV/resume
    • Complete a mock interview (if applicable)
    • Research scholarship, fellowship and assistantship opportunities
    • Order official transcripts
  • December - January
    • Submit all application materials and retain copies
    • Verify letters of recommendation have been sent
    • Track all communication from schools
    • Track interview invitations (if applicable)
  • Spring semester
    • Continue visiting schools and interviewing when applicable
    • GradCafe is a useful tool for understanding the application timeline(s) of various schools of interest
    • Ensure all application material is submitted
    • Visit accepted schools and set meetings with appropriate resources
    • Respond to ALL offers

What materials do I need to apply?
The materials listed below are commonly required for admission to graduate programs. However, they may vary by institution and program type.
  • Application(s) | graduate school application + specific program application
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Statement of intent/purpose
  • Research statement (if applicable)
  • Writing sample (if applicable)
  • Academic transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Application fee
  • Entrance exam (if applicable)

Resumes and CVs

Statement of Purpose + Statement of Intent (approx. 500-1,000 words)

A statement of purpose typically asks an applicant to provide a written account of your overall academic, professional, and/or extracurricular experiences, long-term interests and career goals.

A statement of intent is more targeted and details a clear focus on your specific interests as they relate to the graduate program for which you are applying.

Research Statement

A research statement is a short document that provides a brief history of your past research experience, the current state of your research, and the future work you intend to complete. This statement helps a departmental admission committee to determine if your research interests and experience align well with the research opportunities in their department. Research statements should include: 

  • Articulation of the broader field you work in or seek to work in
  • Larger question or questions you are interested in answering
  • Articulation of your specific interest
    • Brief history of past research
    • Describe present research
    • Describe future trajectory you intend to take your research

> Purdue OWL | Graduate School Applications: Writing a Research Statement

Writing Sample

A writing sample is a written document (often a grant, thesis, or research paper) in which you are the sole or primary author. Writing statements are typically 10-20 pages in length and showcase your academic writing skills.

Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

Letters of recommendation provide a written endorsement of a candidate's qualifications and can contribute to a school's decision to admit you as a candidate. The content of the letters is intended to support your other application materials. Letters should discuss why the writer believes you can perform well in your degree program of choice. 

Writing a letter of recommendation can be a sizable task and it calls for the letter writer to vouch for you personally. Make sure to request your LOR in a timely manner, allowing the writer multiple weeks to write it and providing you with additional spare time prior to the deadline. Also, make sure to send your letter writers a thank you note for their input as well as time and effort! 

  • Who do I ask?
    • Current faculty members
    • Employers
    • Advisors
    • Coaches
    • Graduate teaching or research assistants
  • How do I ask + what do I provide?
    • Send an email regarding the topic of your request and provide several dates/times to arrange a meeting to discuss your request
    • Details about the school and program you are applying to
    • Instructions for completion of the letter and delivery to the school 
    • Application timeline and deadline for LOR
    • Resume/CV
    • Personal statement or statement of intent
  • CDCR Guidelines

You may be invited to interview for a graduate program after applications have been submitted and reviewed (most common for PhD applications). The interview timeline is variable, often ranging from December to April, may be virtual or in-person, and may consist of multiple rounds.

Preliminary Interview

  • Short (15-30 min) interview that usually takes place over Zoom
  • Used to determine specific research interest and assess rapport
  • Conducted by a faculty member of interest or current graduate students

Formal Interview

  • Long (multiple hours, if not days) interview that can take place in-person or via Zoom
  • Used to assess long-term goals, professor/lab fit, and interpersonal dynamics
  • Conducted by multiple professors and current graduate students

An in-person formal interview requires travel to the university and lasts approximately 2-3 days. The interview schedule will be provided by the program and will likely consist of a welcome gathering, a day of formal interviews with multiple faculty members/students, and a social component. Applicants are offered accommodations and food for the duration of interviews and are often reimbursed for their travel expenses.

A virtual formal interview does not require travel and typically lasts at least 4 hours. The interview schedule will be provided by the program and will likely consist of formal interviews with multiple faculty members, followed by an opportunity to speak to current graduate students.

Helpful Tips:

  • Read the university handbook, research your faculty member of interest (their current research, their students, etc.), as well as other faculty you may interview with.
  • Anticipate questions you may be asked and practice saying your answers aloud (try not to memorize your answers verbatim).
  • Be familiar with your CV/resume— ensure that you can confidently articulate your experiences and goals.
  • Always have questions prepared to ask— remember that you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you!
  • Send thank-you emails to all of your interviewers the day after the interviews are complete.

How will I pay for graduate school and support myself financially as a working student?

Assistantships 

Assistantships are opportunities offered at the university to help you gain professional experience in your field of interest, make connections, and earn compensation. They typically require 20 hours per week. Dependent upon the assistantship, they can include a monthly stipend and tuition waiver or a monthly stipend without tuition support. Most often, there are three different types of assistantships that distinguish the type of duties most related to the position. 

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
  • Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
  • Graduate Assistant (GA)

For more info on these three types of assistantship, please see the "Helpful Terminology" section above.

Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships

Scholarships, grants, and fellowships are awarded by universities, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and private companies. Grants can also be awarded by federal and state agencies. These awards are usually based on academic and professional achievements and may also incorporate financial need. University scholarship and fellowship opportunities are most typically found on the institution's graduate school and / or financial aid websites. 

Examples:

Company reimbursement

Some companies provide professional development or education funding opportunities, allowing you to pursue a graduate program during your full-time employment.

Other types of funding

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Federal work study
  • Loans
  • Student emergency funds

General Resources

> Forbes | How to pay for grad school

> Sallie Mae | Find graduate student grants and fellowships 

RESOURCES

Meet with an Engineering Career Coach! Reserve an appointment for any of the following topics

  • Graduate School Prep
  • Career Decisions
  • Resume Assistance
Auburn University Miller Writing Center

Auburn Engineering Graduate Students