Do Engineering Graduate Schools Only Care About Quantitative Skills?
When it comes to applying to engineering graduate school, it’s easy to assume that the admissions committee is only interested in your quantitative skills. After all, engineering is a field that relies heavily on math and science, so it makes sense that they would want to see evidence that you have a strong foundation in these areas.
However, the truth is that engineering graduate schools also care about your qualitative skills. These skills are just as important as your quantitative skills, and they can play a major role in your success in graduate school and beyond.
What Are Qualitative Skills?
Qualitative skills are skills that involve understanding and interpreting non-numerical information. They include things like:
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Teamwork skills
- Leadership skills
These skills are essential for success in any field, but they are especially important in engineering. Engineers need to be able to communicate their ideas clearly, think critically about problems, and work effectively in teams.
Why Do Engineering Graduate Schools Care About Qualitative Skills?
There are several reasons why engineering graduate schools care about qualitative skills. First, these skills are essential for success in graduate school. Graduate school is a challenging academic environment, and students need to be able to communicate their ideas clearly, think critically about problems, and work effectively in teams in order to succeed.
Second, qualitative skills are important for success in the engineering profession. Engineers need to be able to communicate their ideas clearly to clients, colleagues, and the public. They also need to be able to think critically about problems and find creative solutions. And finally, they need to be able to work effectively in teams in order to complete complex projects.
How Can You Improve Your Qualitative Skills?
If you want to improve your qualitative skills, there are a few things you can do:
- Take courses in communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Join a club or organization that allows you to develop your teamwork and leadership skills.
- Volunteer your time to help others. This will give you the opportunity to develop your communication and problem-solving skills.
- Read books and articles on a variety of topics. This will help you to develop your critical thinking skills and expand your knowledge base.
Conclusion
While quantitative skills are important for success in engineering graduate school, they are not the only thing that matters. Engineering graduate schools also care about your qualitative skills. These skills are essential for success in graduate school and beyond. So if you want to be successful in engineering graduate school, make sure to develop your qualitative skills as well as your quantitative skills.
