DFitz

Honestly it looks to me like this program is not in the same class as most other MSCS programs. It looks more like a professional degree that could be done part-time or even remotely. Still pretty expensive though. They're just doing admissions now for their fall 2013 enrollment (I know because they emailed me today about it).

Look into Princeton and UMich. Other top masters programs are typically money-makers for the universities and offer little to no funding. Those two are the only two that offer funding that I know of ... but I didn't spend a lot of time researching this when I applied so others please feel free to weigh in.

You're at a disadvantage but it's doable. I was an economics major, like jpc123. You need to prove to the admissions committees that you are committed and can handle the work - that might mean taking some classes before you apply. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.

Not exactly a business background, but my background is in conservation policy and natural resource economics. I graduated with a BA in economics in 2011 and have been working in economic consulting since then. When I applied, my CS-related experience consisted of just a few CS courses I had taken online or in high school. I had the same concerns as you when applying - but I think as long as your GPA/GRE stats are good, you have good LORs, and you can tell a good story in your SOP, you'll have a shot at some top-notch programs. The programs are taking a big risk by letting you in, since you will have to work VERY HARD to make up for your lack of experience. So the more your profile proves that you can put in hard work and handle these obstacles, the more the programs feel OK taking on that risk. Chances are, some programs will reject you, because the plain fact is that they have a lot of students with CS backgrounds that would be "safer" options. My strategy was to throw a lot of darts out there... Fortunately, that worked for me. I would expand your sights to include some other programs in addition to Stanford, since they get insane numbers of applicants. Getting good grades in your 2 NDOs is probably the best thing you can do to show them you can handle the work. Good luck!

I'll be joining the MS in CS program at CMU. Ditto all to Shadyside or Squirrel Hill. And trying to decide if I will need a car ...

My sense is that specifying a subfield is encouraged but is not a dealbreaker.

Well, I got into CMU's new general MSCS program, not one of the more specialized MS programs. From the program description, it seems like they actually designed the new program for people who might need more background in CS. I can't speak to why they let me in ... my GPA was good (3.81) and GRE was fine not great (Q:164). I'm actually leaning toward UT Austin over CMU since they have the more established program with the option to do a research track. Who knows ... could change my mind again in the next week or so.

On a related note for future visitors to this thread - work experience can also help for applicants with minimal background in CS. My undergrad degree was not in CS (economics) but I am confident that my two years work experience helped my applications. It also helped me tell a cohesive story for why I'm moving into CS in my SOP.

Thanks for the info, justsayani!

Who's taking bets?

This is Karmic Punishment for me checking the results page too often on this site ... sorry fellas ...

I'm going to hijack this thread and add a few schools that I'd like to see compared for their ML programs: UT Austin CMU Cornell Columbia UC San Diego Can anyone weigh in? Or, a general list of the top ML schools would be helpful. You never know whether to trust the rankings on google and it would be helpful to hear input from those in the know.

I have also been admitted to this program, and have many of the same questions since I too do not know whether I will want to continue on for a Ph.D. So far my best alternative would be an MS-CS at UT Austin ... which is a much more established program than this new one at CMU. I know that CMU has a set of more specialized masters programs with great reputations, and my worry is that the generalized MS-CS degree at CMU won't carry nearly the same weight. UT Austin also has the option of doing a research track. Can anyone weigh in? What's likely to carry more prestige, an MS-CS at UT Austin or the new MS-CS at CMU?

Thanks for the info @naijaba ... I applied to that program and haven't heard anything back yet. Waiting on a rejection but crossing my fingers that I'm on an unofficial waitlist. My background is in economics and statistics, but it sounds like most of the accepted applicants have more technical degrees. Did you meet anyone with an Econ or social sciences background?

Thanks, it was certainly a nice surprise. I'd like to focus on applied machine learning, but my background is in economics and statistics so I need to catch up on some of the fundamentals. It seems like the CMU program is somewhat designed for people like me without a bachelor's in CS. Which program at Harvard did you apply to? I applied to the S.M. in computational science and engineering rather than straight computer science, as it seems to better fit my background and interest in problems of natural resource economics.

Hi folks. I'm also applying to many of the same programs as y'all. Ssk2, when did you hear back from Cornell on the M.Eng program? Congratulations, btw. I was accepted at CMU last night, but haven't heard from anywhere else.