OT: Applied to Virginia Tech for Grad School

Hey, I know it's the internet. I don't know you, you don't know me, etc. But this is a great community that I've been a part of for about a year, and it can't hurt to post (unless Joe deletes it...). Anyway, here goes.

I graduated from Auburn University in 2012 with a degree in Wireless Engineering and a not-terrible GPA, especially junior and senior years. My GPA would be MUCH higher without Auburn football, but that's neither here nor there I suppose.

After graduating, the job market was atrocious and I was offered a fellowship at Auburn University under a professor specializing in mircoelectronics fabrication. I spent a year there, but after a fall of decent times (and another football season), I was still looking for jobs because you never know when something will come up. Spring 2013 found me taking 3 graduate level classes (2 of which were programming oriented and a heavy hit on my time as I was not as proficient as the software engineers the class was geared towards) and working 45+ hours per week as a research assistant. As you may have guessed, I bit off more than I could chew and was in a world of hurt GPA-wise. Then I had a job offer come along in March of 2013 in Birmingham, AL (where I currently live). I took the job and left graduate school thinking I would be able to continue my education through online endeavors.

Well, here I am 18 months after taking the job finally getting back to graduate school applications (again). I love Auburn, but the situation I found myself in with my graduate research professor was not a good one and as a result he won't write a letter of recommendation for my graduate school applications. Luckily I have another contact at Auburn and several work people who will more than gladly do so.

Here's my plea: does anyone personally know any professors within the Wireless@VT program, or the Electrical Engineering department? I'm not looking for you to endorse me necessarily, just looking for a contact within the program that's a bit more solid than cold-calling or cold-emailing professors.

I've always wanted a degree from Virginia Tech. I don't feel like a 100% fan without one. I was born literally in Blacksburg while my dad was in graduate school, and it's something I've never had the chance to do.

That's not why I want to go though. Virginia Tech has a HUGE wireless research program (25+ professors and personnel). I have a degree in Wireless Engineering from a decent engineering school (not as good as Virginia Tech's), and want to get an advanced degree. I am applying for their online program to see if I can get in, but would love to get someone to talk to about my application, as there is a blemish or two on it.

Thanks for reading. I enjoy writing, so even if I get few responses I still entertained myself for an hour or so. Here's gratuitous highlights of the Auburn/VT Sugar Bowl in 2009 (thankfully I wasn't an Auburn fan yet).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D38lE7Ve3ik