trulin

Anybody know more about UCSB CS or Caltech's C+MS departments?

I had a 3.95 overall and 4.0 major. 4 strong letters of recommendation (1 from REU, 2 from people I have completed research for/with, 1 industry). 95%+ GRE all categories. 1 submitted paper only (coauthored, not first name). 2 summers of research at large mobile chipset maker. I think honestly it came down to the only one submitted and not yet accepted paper. Also I have small bits of experience in different fields (HCI/social robotics, Parallel Algorithms, Applied Probablity) and hadn't narrowed my subfields more than theory, algorithms and applied probability in networking. If you would recommend a course of action, would it be to find a niche and pursue it all the way until next application season while I look for job in the meantime?

Hi everyone, I'd like to say I'm impressed with how a lot of people here got into great programs. My question is to ask what you believe worked most strongly in your favor during admissions processes. Thanks, Alex

Looks like I should have focused on finding POIs. Is it a good idea to contact admissions to find out where I stand in the process?

I applied to the C+MS program coming from a computer engineering/computer science background. I have yet to hear anything, so most likely rejection.

I applied to 7 Computer Science PhD programs (usually theory, algorithms or networking): Princeton Columbia Cornell MIT UCB UCSB Caltech Background: I've had 3 years of research, 4 strong LORs (2 from significant research contributors, i.e. TR35 winner and Vice Dean of Research), 3.95/4.0 GPA, 2 summers at major mobile chip company, I've taken grad courses, 1 submitted paper, one REU. However, I've had only one interview (UCSB, seemed very positive) and have yet to hear back from them regarding admission. I've also been rejected without any explanation from Cornell, Princeton and UWashington. It seems like I aimed too high, but the schools I applied to all had researchers whose interests aligned with my own. Is there anything that I can do at this point to increase my chances of getting in at least somewhere? If not, is there anything I can do to understand the weaknesses in my application/why I wasn't admitted? Thanks for any help, -Alex