Lee College of Engineering

Student Professional Development

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Where can I learn more about Graduate School Options?

The Lee College of Engineering offers masters programs in Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management. To learn more, visit the department’s website or contact your academic advisor.

What is the Early Entry Masters Program?

Undergraduate students may be accepted into the master's program and begin work toward a graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. An application for such an early entry may be accepted at any time after completion of 75 or more hours, although it is expected that close to 90 hours will have been earned by the time the first graduate course is taken. These students will have provisional acceptance status, pending the award of the baccalaureate degree.

To be accepted in this program, an undergraduate student must have at least a 3.2 overall GPA and have taken the appropriate graduate standardized test (GRE) and have earned an acceptable score. A given program may have more rigorous admissions criteria. If an early-entry student has not met the normal admission requirements of a 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA and a 3.0 junior-senior GPA at the end of his/her baccalaureate degree, she/her will be dismissed from the graduate program.

Why should I take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam)?

If you are planning to go to graduate school, most institutions require that you take the GRE or a comparable exam as an admission requirement. The GRE® General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study. Each GRE® Subject Test is intended for students who have majored in or have extensive background in that specific area.

The GRE® General Test is only available as a computer-based test. This means that you must answer one question at a time and you must answer it before you are allowed to proceed. Once you have moved on, you cannot go back to change your answer. The GRE® General Test is given year-round at designated testing facilities.

The GRE® Subject Test is given at paper-based test centers worldwide in November, December, and April.  The eight subject tests are:

• Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Literature in English
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

For more information about the GRE, each of the subject tests, and GRE test locations visit the GRE website at www.gre.com.

What do I need to know about taking the GRE?

1. You are not penalized for incorrect answers.
2. Questions do not carry equal weights. More difficult questions are worth more points than easier questions.
3. You will receive part of your score after you complete the test. However, your essay will be graded by testing officials. You should receive your overall score in about 3-5 weeks. (Score available via phone for a fee).
4. Cost of the exam is $140.00 (effective 7/1/07-6/30/08).
5. A $50.00 rescheduling fee may apply.
6. Tuition waivers are available.
7. You can register for the GRE General Test via phone, on-line or mail.

Please visit www.gre.com to learn more. If you are a currently enrolled in the College of Engineering, you can check out study materials (book and CD) for free from the MAPS Office in Smith 228.

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