carlvine

What did you not like about the program? I hear that it is overpopulated and difficult to find classes, but otherwise a solid program. Also, UCR is a dedicated research program, granting Doctorates etc, while Pomona only has a Master's degree and geared towards industry. Any thoughts guys?

Hey guys, I was a music undergrad, and applied to MSCS programs after about 15 prereqs at a local uni. I got accepted to UCR with some funding, as well as Cal Poly Pomona with full funding (as FAFSA covered the low tuition). I am not entirely sure whether I want to pursue a Doctorate or go into industry, so I thought a Master's would be the best way to figure that out. Would UCR be worth the extra money? Would the research opportunities for a Master's student be better at UCR? In general, would it be a better school to prepare for doctorate? As far as I know, UCR is ranked #56 while Pomona is not even on the list. I'm just not sure how that helps me lol

Thank you so much for the reply. I'll be sure to do that. I regret seeking feedback after everyone went on Winter break lol

Is this essay too vague? Should I have a clearer idea of what to study?

Applying for Master's. My ultimate goal is a PhD, but definitely lack the research experience of a competitive candidate.

My lifelong study of music has established a deep reverence for mathematics. This fascination has seeped into my music compositional output, where I have applied mathematical concepts such as set theory in order to create music that is both aesthetically and functionally beautiful. Setting a slow progression towards the latter, I feel that I am now most interested in the beauty of ideas. I believe that computer science embodies what I value, with the ability to turn abstract ideals into something simultaneously exquisite and useful. I have studied computer science as a non-degree seeking student at [state school] since 2012. Though a stark change from the lax music curriculum, I devoted myself to the mastery of computer science fundamentals, progressing from introductory coursework to graduate-level courses such as modern computer architecture. While my time at this university has been rewarding, I wish to attend a research-oriented institution with a wider breadth of opportunity. By the end of the 2013/2014 year, I will have completed two years of prerequisite coursework, and have the necessary comprehension to succeed in a rigorous academic environment. My primary goal is to attain research experience. I want to learn how to create and defend my own ideas. This past summer, I was given the opportunity to attend an NSF-funded research program at [Top 50]. Under Dr. [professor], I studied architectural daylighting simulation, a combination of computer graphics and augmented reality, where I implemented concurrency, error handling, and shadow mapping to the daylighting simulator. Additionally, I studied numerous papers on image space photon mapping in an attempt to optimize the given implementation, as well as built a 500-line raytracer which maps spherical primitives within the given geometrical data. The raytracer was created as an attempt to connect the various concepts learned over three months into something tangible. My experience at [Top 50] has informed my current research interests, primarily computer vision and augmented reality. While at [Top 50], I befriended a computer vision doctoral student developing a "patterned species instance recognition" algorithm which identifies individual animals against a labeled database. Through his tutorship, I learned the basic tenets of successful computer vision research, as well as the key insight that vision and graphics are obverse approaches to a similar problem domain. I am most interested in working with Dr. [Prof] and Dr. [Prof]. I view their extensive knowledge of both fields as an invaluable asset that would help point me towards greater specificity of what I want to accomplish. As of now, I am fascinated with medical imaging, and the implication that specific visual pattern recognition algorithms can create preclinical diagnoses to any number of illnesses. Furthermore, I am obsessed with the Oculus Rift VR Headset, creating experimental environments for the Developer Kit in my spare time. There are many possibilities combining this new technology and telepresence, such as a simulator which allows disabled persons to interact with the outside world. My ultimate goal is to attain a doctorate in computer science. Though I currently lack the research experience of a competitive candidate, the Master of Science curriculum would build the necessary skills to better reach that goal. For that reason, I am eager to take advantage of every opportunity that the Department of Computer Science has to offer. I believe that my diverse background, persistence, and unbound curiosity would ensure exhaustive utilization of what [school] has to offer.

Wow, I truly appreciate your help everyone. I'm applying to UC's(Irvine, Santa Barbara, and Riverside) which span from 28th to 56th in rank. Here goes nothin!

I scored a V159/Q158/W4.0 Is this too low to be admitted into the Top20-Top50 schools? I wish to apply to the lesser ranked University of California's within the next month and am starting to doubt my chances. Thanks guys, just very nervous at the moment

I'm sorry for not being able to help, but am wondering if you can tell me about MSCS at MIT or Berkley? I can't seem to find information about their master's programs.

I am applying to Computer Science MS programs, so am focusing on attaining the highest Quantitative score possible. I practiced tested a 149Q, and after three weeks of review have gotten that up to around 162/164. However, I can't seem to go an entire section without missing at least two or three questions. Do you guys have any advice/resources on how to take my Q skill to that next level? Is anyone else going through this?

Will my ethnicity (Mexican) be taken into consideration for admittance? I know that "URMs" are given preferential treatment to law/medical schools, but not sure if other graduate programs care.

Thanks for your help you guys. I was worried that I wouldn't be competitive for UCR/UCI,, but this gives me more hope.

Hey everyone! I am in a unique situation and could really use your advice,, I graduated from UCLA in 2011 with a BA in Music. Over this past year, I discovered programming/CS and fell in love with it. Since Fall 2012, I have been registered as a post-baccalaureate student at an ABET-accredited state school. By this summer I will have completed the following classes. -CS 201 -CS 202 -Calculus 1-3 -Discrete Mathematics -Data Structures -Machine Organization -Operating Systems -Combinatorics So far I have straight A's, and plan on working my hardest to maintain a 4.0. I will be taking the GRE over the summer and hope to get a very competitive score. If it's any help, I received a 2200 on the SAT. Here's my question: If I apply this coming Fall, do I have any chance of getting into a good Master's program? I am a California resident, so UC's would be cheapest . I would love to go to a Top 20 school. Where should I be shooting for??? Thanks everyone, I've already learned a lot from you guys By the way, this coming school year I will continue taking courses (algorithm analysis, digital logic, automata, software engineering. etc. ) but as the grades will be posted AFTER the transcripts are sent out, I doubt that the schools will notice/care. Again, thanks guys