system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Undergrad considering applying to graduate school

I just finished third year of an undergraduate computer engineering program. I'm currently doing a one year internship, after which I will return to school to finish my undergraduate degree. Many of my colleagues (undergrads themselves) and some job interviewers have told me to consider attending graduate school, and I need to decide soon so that I can take the GRE, complete applications, etc.

On one hand, I do feel that I haven't learned enough in undergrad to satiate my personal hunger for knowledge or to be useful to any of the companies I'd like to work for. A course-based master's degree is an option, but I don't think it's as valuable as a research-based master's degree for personal growth, and making yourself look good in the eyes of prospective employers.


On the other hand, I have no research experience whatsoever. Those who recommended that I consider attending graduate school have done so based only on my transcript. Not only does this weaken my application, but it also makes it difficult for me to evaluate whether or not I have the aptitude for a research-based master's and whether I'll get what I'm looking for out of it. I think I have done well in undergrad because of the relatively rigid structure: take these courses, read these books, pass these exams. But graduate school is nothing like that, so I'm unsure whether it is right for me.

To top it all off, I don't know any of my former professors well enough to ask for a letter of reference. Some know me as that kid that did well in their class, but that's it.

**TL;DR: I just finished third year of undergrad computer engineering. I want to keep learning after undergrad. I have a good transcript, no research experience and I don't know any of my professors well enough to ask for a reference letter.**

Is it worth it for me to apply to graduate school? How can I, at this stage of undergrad, get some research experience (hopefully a recommendation in the process) and/or more information on whether or not grad school is right for me and whether I have what it takes to succeed in grad school?
gpt
One logical first step would be to arrange a meeting with one of the profs of the classes you did well in. Even if they don't remember you, you can set up a meeting to discuss the idea of going to grad school, and ask them about what you should do. They'll have the best idea of what opportunities exist in your area. Reaching out to people who don't already know you like that is how you begin to build a network, and pretty much everyone has to do it at some point or other.

So just e-mail one or two of them and try to get them to chat with you. The worst that can happen is that they don't reply, or say no.