EE grad studies with low GPA, non-degree courses?

[Ngineer]

Hello everyone,

Last year, I graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from a Canadian university with a horrible GPA of 2.62 (reasons why I got this gpa explained here)

I have never forgotten about the dream of finally getting into graduate studies, mainly in the field of electromagnetics, and here are the things I've done so far to overcome the GPA barrier:

• Currently work full time for a company that produces radar-related software, not a lot of engineering though. Due to previous own projects and research, I have been hired at an intermediate level, whereas three fellow EE alumni (two of which graduated with distinction) have been hired as juniors.

• Volunteered after hours at a lab with a professor (albeit not exactly in the field I am interested in.) and published a paper with him / his students.

• (Serious) self study on average for 3-4h/day in the field, using textbooks and online grad course material. Concurrently attempting to solidify my understanding by writing software simulation tools. My intention is to turn it into something big and include it in applications.

I know this is not enough. I have been thinking of taking non-degree courses at a better school to show that my horrible grades were due to exceptional circumstances (again, reasons are here).

Would these make any difference? Are there other ways to overcome a low GPA?

Your advice is immeasurably appreciated!

 

[jedishrfu]

Excell in the GRE would be one way. Take some prep courses and get a great grade. It will give you some leverage to get into the graduate program.

Take some grad level courses at a school that you can get into.

Find a back door to the school, i.e. Find a prof who can help you identify and your weaknesses so that you can take some courses to fix them. This is very hard to do. Sometimes you can read papers in the field you're interested in and then contact the authors. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.

Your company may have an educational benefit for going back to school part time and you could take advantage of it by taking grad level course and doing well so that they will offset you undergrad GPA. Ask around to see if others have done this. Is there anyone there who might mentor you?

 

[Ngineer]

Hi jedishrfu,

Thanks for your response and the valuable advice, highly appreciated! Unfortunately, I don't think my company offers such benefits, so I have to try on my own.

 

[jedishrfu]

So its do really well on the GRE or take some grad level courses at your own expense and then prep for and do well on the GRE.

The key is to retain and improve your math skills over everything else.