Preparing for Graduate School

If you’re an undergraduate chemical engineering student and you aspire to work in a research or academic role, you’ll want to continue your education by completing an M.S. and/or Ph.D. program. Additionally, an M.Eng. in chemical engineering can further prepare you for technical experience in the workforce. Talk with your advisor to see which path is right for you.

In general, undergraduates should focus on the following areas in preparation for applying to graduate programs:

• Writing and improving your resume 
• Seeking work opportunities
• Participating in undergraduate research and becoming comfortable in lab environments
• Studying for and taking the GRE (sometimes more than once)
• Working as a team member and building relationships with colleagues
• Developing your network and stable of mentors who can help guide the process and provide letters of recommendation

Common graduate programs

• Ph.D. in chemical engineering
• Ph.D. in chemistry
• M.Eng. in materials science and engineering
• M.Eng. in biomedical engineering
• M.Eng. in engineering management
• Law or medical programs

Universities that recently accepted Smith School graduates 

• Cornell University
• University of Delaware
• Stanford University
• Caltech
• University of Illinois
• Penn State
• UC Berkeley

A number of chemical engineering undergraduates at the Smith School continue on to M.Eng. programs offered by Cornell’s College of Engineering. If you think this academic path is right for you, we encourage you to apply and continue your Cornell education. The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) program, in particular, offers the option of early admission or early decision for Cornell undergraduates.