velua

B+ isn't so bad. I got a B+ in Calc3, and also in Diff Eqs and I got into grad school with that. Granted, I got pretty much straight As in tons of upper level stuff, including real analysis honors and differential geometry. I also TAed Calc3 one semester during undergrad. The C+ is a problem. By crush the GRE, do you mean the regular GRE or the subject GRE?

If it's convenient, take linear alebra somewhere this summer. It shouldn't be too hard to find a school where it's offered this summer. Don't offer to retake it before the start of grad school. Either take it this summer or don't.

The biostats students I've met seemed to have a pretty weak knowledge of abstract algebra, real analysis, topology, etc., and had never taken courses in them. I'd just try to take linear algebra somewhere else this summer and focus on the rest of your app.

Hi velua,
 
I was able to do a summer internship even though I had already graduated and was planning to take a year off. For my company, they were okay with it even though I said I was planning to attend grad school the following year. I would imagine you would be in an even better position than I was since you are still taking classes (although as a non-degree student), since it's some sort of evidence that you will be continuing your education.
 
As for research, I don't know what the norm is, but I was able to do research even though I wasn't a student anymore (I finished my degree early). I think professors would understand since research experience would be a large part of the graduate application.

Yes, it would definitely hurt your chances to apply for both options in the same program. It's likely that the same people would be reading each application.

While I agree that the average grade for a grad class is skewed towards the higher end, I don't think it's because classes are easy. It's because there's a different caliber of student taking the class.

Also, a B is not the equivalent of a C or D in all cases. There is a discussion about this in the officially grads forum I think. Basically, the consensus was that a B is the kiss of death for a grad student in a subject such as literature. For the sciences, however, a B is a B. As someone put it, straight A's mean that you're not spending enough time in the lab.

Regardless of the easiness of grad courses or how an adcomm views a grad GPA vs an undergrad GPA, I do find it irritating that some (or all) grad programs would put such an emphasis on the undergrad experience. As Crucial BBQ noted, a masters is in many ways similar to the first two years of a PhD program. So by having a high grad GPA and doing a thesis (which should lead to publications), one should essentially be proving to the adcomm that they are capable of being a productive and successful grad student.

It's easy to have that mindset to just decline the offer when you got into 6/8 or 8/10 schools. Not so easy if you get into 1 school and have no job lined up after graduation in a post-2008 world.

First of all, that professor sounds like a dick.
 
I wouldn't apologize again. Just make sure you refer to him by his preferred title ("It was nice talking to you, Dr. Ego-trip"). Apologizing again would just bring the attention back to that issue. You've already apologized; no need to do it again. 

I know what post-bac means... but what do you earn, a 2nd B.S., a certificate, what? You can always find schools that will let you just take classes as a non-degree student (but you won't get financial aid). You can do this until you have the pre-reqs. I'm sure you already have first year calculus under your belt, so here's what you probably need.
 
Essentials:
Discrete Math, Programming, Data Structures, Algorithms, Automata Theory, Computer Systems
 
Probably should have:
Operating Systems, Programming Language Design/Comparison/Implementation
 
Could help:
Probability, Statistics, Networks, Software Engineering, Cryptography, AI, any other CS electives you can find
 
I mean you could always apply... there are some terminal professional master's programs for people with no CS background that bring them up to speed, at places like Penn, Cornell, maybe Illinois. But these programs are a rip-off IMO. Just a waste of money. For example, Penn has a job placement page for its program and of those who went on to study for a CS Ph.D., half of them seemed to go to places like Drexel and Delaware, major downgrades from Penn. The industrial jobs were at local companies that didn't sound too impressive. I'd rather just spend money on classes at your local uni until you feel you have enough to go get a Master's or Ph.D.
 
How are you going to get a CS Minor if you're already a senior and it's the spring semester and you've never taken a CS class?

I know how you feel about sitting around in undergrad classes though. Being 5-7 years older than everyone else in my classes has gotten old. If I get into an M.S. program and start next spring, I'll still probably be 5 years older than most of the grad students in my classes.

What is a CS post-bac? Just take some CS classes this year/after you graduate. If you like it enough, take all the pre-reqs for admission and apply to programs.

http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_math_conventions.pdf   p.6
http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_math_review.pdf    p.7
 
 
Based on these, it sounds like "from" is considered inclusive and "between" is considered exclusive

I think it's extremely uncommon to ask for a copy of letters of recommendation. Professors write them under the assumption that you won't read it, and I think it's fairly rude to undermine that understanding. Especially if you originally waived your right to read the letter when you submitted your application. 
 
Personally, I find that if you need another copy in the future, you should just ask the professor. 

Grad school admissions are hard to predict, and I don't think I'd find out if I got in because of some detail on my SOP or because of 2 extra points on the GRE. Either way, getting a 170 is something I can do to maximize my chances.

Yes, you can ask in the middle of the semester, if you have no better options. A letter saying the person has known you for two months and so far you seem to be doing well in class won't do you too much good, no matter how famous the person is. If this is your plan, I'd do my best to show up for office hours, participate in class, and generally make a case for myself that I am a good student. I might consider consulting with him early on about grad school applications and also letting him know that you would like to ask him for a letter, so he can tell you how to best show that you are a good student given the limited timeframe. It won't put him in an awkward position; if he won't feel like he can write you a good letter, he will let you know. 

Maybe try to see if you'd fit in with the other students better at one place. Both in terms of non-academic interests, and also if you're going to feel significantly above/below them intellectually. Or potential advisors. Or areas of study you're interested in.
 
Maybe also consider smaller companies. Unless you're completely sold on living onsite at Google for the rest of your life and having no life.

Getting a masters doesn't give you more flexibility in this case because UW awards you a masters on the way to your Ph.D. So if you decide you don't want a Ph.D and are at UW, you can drop out and have a masters and go on with your life. If you decide you want a Ph.D and you are at Princeton, you will have to apply again to another school.
 
Rankings hardly make a difference once you get up this high, even though UW might not sound that prestigious because it's a state school. So IMO if UW is your dream school, go with your dream school. But ultimately it is your call. I would highly encourage you to come to the visitation weekend and see if UW has a culture you like.
 
I'm super analytical, but if I were you and couldn't decide, I'd take out a piece of paper and write down all of the factors I consider important when looking at graduate schools. Then I'd rank both choices in terms of those factors. And I'd also make a note of which factors I weigh more heavily than others. Be honest with yourself if you do this.
 
Also, what's your goal in going to graduate school? What do you want to do with your graduate degree? That's an important question to consider when deciding between an MS and a Ph.D. I want to be a professor, so an MS is basically useless for me
 
Also I promise I'm not just recruiting you because I might go to UW. I still haven't accepted their offer haha. I need all opportunities in front of me before I decide! But it is a great school with great people.

I don't think GRE is that important. You're going to have issues with very little CS background, sociology major, not much of a portfolio, few recommendations outside of academia. Is there a local university where you can take at least data structures and algorithms? After that, computer systems, automata theory, and operating systems would help a lot.