An important university office you need to be aware of is the Office of Graduate Studies. Whether you are a prospective or current student, make sure you check their site for information and forms. But as you also need some specific information about the Structural Engineering Program and my research efforts in particular,
Prospective students
As one of the graduate advisors for the Structural Engineering program, I would be happy to answer questions regarding our program. Please be aware that I do not respond to emails that appear to be form letters.
Additionally, I cannot review your application package and speculate on your chances of being accepted – the only fair assessment is occurs when we can view the entire application, transcripts, scores, three letters of recommendation, resume (optional) and read your statement of purpose essay. Everything, your overall application, is taken into consideration, not just a few scores. Once your completed application is received by the CE Graduate Office from Admissions Processing, they will add your essay, and your letters, and then send the complete package to the graduate advisors and graduate admission committee of our specialty area for a decision. Once they have thoroughly reviewed the entire package they will make a decision regarding admission and support. Below are some of the most common questions/issues:
- Applying: You will need to submit an application to the Texas A&M graduate program. Note they have a detailed instructions on the application process. You shoul be applying about 9 months before you plan to start your graduate program.
- You can find most of the information on the structures program in our graduate handbook available online
- Regarding GRE scores or minimum GPA requirements – there are NO minimum requirements for admissions. As a general rule of thumb, you should have a 3.0 or better for a GPA (but more attention will be paid to specific courses in math and the structures program than your overall GPA… in other words, your grade in chemistry or English is not as important as your grade in steel design) – with the average for admitted students based on past semesters being approximately 3.65. While there is no minimum GRE score required, the average quantitative GRE score for students accepted in previous years was around 770 and students usually are expected to score above 400 in the GRE verbal section.
- Letters of recommendation: You should submit 3 letters, with at least 2 of them coming from faculty members that know you and your academic potential well. The third letter can be from another professor, and employer, etc…
Incoming graduate students
Welcome to our program! We look forward to you joining our group. Plan on arriving on campus at least a week before classes start. You’ll need to check in with the CE graduate office as soon as you arrive. During that first week expect a departmental orientation as well as an orientation for the structures program.
- Advising for courses: The week before classes there will be an orientation for all new students. That will be the time to discuss courses for the different degree plans. Until then, follow the graduate handbook – you can add/drop courses all through the first week of classes with no penalty.
Current graduate students
- Serving as your committee as chair;
- ME students: Dr. Bracci is the chair for ME students in the structures group. However, if you would like to work with me, particularly if you are interested in an independent study project, I can serve as co-chair for your ME degree.
- Research students:
- Serving on your committee as member: I would be happy to serve. Please tell me who is your chair and provide a short overview of your research.
- Signatures: Most signatures needed are collected electronically. Even so, please do not wait until the last minute to submit your requests.