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I disagree. In my first post I make several points which help the OP make a realistic assessment of his/her abilities, as well as how his/her existing background can play a positive role in the application process. Psychologists can and do find a place in Computer Science departments. As I mentioned, one of the OP's main tasks will be to shore up his/her weaknesses, which may involve gauging his/her abilities and taking additional courses. In the end, it comes down to the OP and his/her self-determination in this regard. This isn't false hope, this is a belief that the OP can do a PhD in CS at a lesser known school if the OP's lack of background is dealt with appropriately. Don't let your lack of imagination prevent others from at least trying to pursue their beliefs.

Follow your gut instinct. If this is your passion, don't give a shit about what anyone says and go for it. Just be prepared to sacrifice for it.

As jjsakurai mentioned already, retake the GRE and get a good quant score. What Computer Science courses have you taken, if any? Schools want PhD students to do good research. In order to do so, a background in the department of interest is a necessity. If you feel this is the right course of action for you, I'd recommend this: Find a way to spin what you've already done into assets for furthering the research interests of the schools you're applying to. What was it exactly that made you want to become a Computer Science professor? If the reason is because you worked at a company and thought the work was fascinating, that's not a good answer. If the reason is because you began to develop a real passion for some aspect of what you were doing (related to Computer Science) and your background in Psychology and Counseling have the potential to act as supports in that regard, then that's the right direction. You want what you've done in the past to (at least sound like it will) help make you a better Computer Science researcher in your area of interest. Psychology can certainly be an asset in some areas of Computer Science (e.g. HCI). Schools will be skeptical that you have the requisite background to complete graduate work in Computer Science. You should justify why their worries are unfounded (what programs have you created, what rigorous analytical classes have you taken, what have you done that proves you can switch into this field successfully). Your work will be two-fold in both shoring up perceived weaknesses and presenting your background as strengths. There are a number of free online Computer Science classes being offered by Stanford/Princeton/MIT etc. You may want to look into these as a way of both gauging your own capabilities and as evidence to schools that you're able to get through the material successfully. Good luck.

I'm somewhat perplexed that there is debate over whether the prestige of previous degree granting institutions matter. I would argue that the OP's admittance to the Masters CS Harvard program is such an example of this bias. Imagine a 3.1 GPA from an institution outside of the top 10. This bias for prestige exists everywhere whether you choose to acknowledge it or not. More well known professors, a more well known program, and inherent bias towards prestigious institutions. Don't get me wrong, PhD applications are all about research fit. But the fact that his pedigree is Berkeley and Harvard does matter and will help him. This is why I suggest focusing on communicating passion, because an excellent fit will make his GPA less relevant. I've had experience applying for both top Masters and PhD programs in Computer Science now (and I believe jjsakurai has experience applying as well) and our advice is based on our own experience and countless wasted hours perusing profiles and admission results. Do feel free to argue on any points we make, we're only trying to help the OP after all.

A 3.6 for your masters isn't too bad. Honestly you have a small chance at all of them if the school's research interests align with what you're passionate about. You should try and communicate your ability to do research, in light of your work experience and whatever other projects you've done at school. I agree with jjsakurai (including the advice to add some safeties to your list), except I wouldn't say your chances are zero. You do need to pull off one hell of an application to make it a possibility at top schools though.

Is that your masters GPA, your undergrad GPA, or combined? If not your masters GPA, what is your masters GPA? By the way, he asked for his chances, not for your standard "you can't predict PhD applications" response. Even an approximate answer (with a given that it will contain huge variance at competitive schools) can help a would-be applicant judge what he's up against. If your masters GPA is that low, it will definitely hurt your chances. But the fact that you have degrees from Berkeley and Harvard will help. The top 4 schools will be a stretch, with a decent shot at the rest, given that you can reasonably communicate your passion for an active area in those schools. Focus on communicating that in your application - passion.

Great, thanks for the advice everyone! I decided to go with something along the lines of what ANDS! suggested. I searched Amazon and found a few different items with my destination school's logo. Cheers!

What the title says. I want to thank my adviser and rec letter writers from my Masters program. This is after my defense etc. I don't know some of them that well so more personal gifts will not do. I could just throw in chocolates with a card or something, but I want to send something nicer since they were awesome and I owe a lot to them. Any ideas?

LOL. Love it.

First off, the OP is not paying full tuition at the higher ranked university, it's a 50% aid package. Secondly, if you look hard enough you may find opportunities for teaching assistantships or other part-time opportunities to help pay for your tuition while you do school. Sure, money's a big deal in this economy, but so is the reputation jump from #5 to #30. It's not just the reputation, it's about networking, location and future opportunities. In the end, it's all about what you want to accomplish, but the higher reputation will open more doors, and as hard as it is you need to try and put a long term value on that now so you can weigh that with the risk of paying off debt. Good luck.

Take your time. There's no need to rush the application to grad school. Nothing wrong with taking another year, it'll only improve your application and allow your interests to crystallize. I took an extra semester before applying, not for the same reasons you have, but no regrets on my end as it helped me get into top CS programs. Good luck.

I'd pick the top five program, but I know nothing about your area.

Work experience that shows you were able to do something significant, that you were passionate, and is useful for research. The former two are more important. But these are all indicators that you'll do well in grad school. And you're right, applying to MIT's PhD program is nothing like applying to masters programs. Masters is broad, PhD is specific. Unlikely to find a good fit in a PhD program with only work experience.

You have a strong profile IMO. It comes down to your SOP and what your work experience is. I wouldn't worry about lack of research experience (I had none when I applied for masters programs). Show passion. I would shoot for Princeton/Stanford/CMU. Apply to safeties of course. Good luck.

I second what others have said. I would re-take. Study hard the weeks leading up, try to relax in the 1-2 days before your test. The sleep the night before is important, but so is the sleep the night before that. Knowing that you're well prepared will help reduce your anxiety. Good luck!

By the tone of your post it doesn't sound like you're all that excited about doing your PhD there. I feel that the PhD is such a commitment on so many different levels that you might end up being miserable if you're not happy about it to begin with. You need to weigh the risk of not getting into any schools in future years versus the chance of getting into a top 5-10 school. If you feel that you'll accumulate substantial work that will help your profile for grad school in the area you want to work before you next decide to apply, it may be worth the risk.

4 courses down to 2? I would hope your GPA would improve significantly. That is, if your poor grades are because you were unable to spend enough time on the subject matter. 2.75 to a 3.7 may be an unrealistic expectation though. I'd set a slightly less ambitious goal (3.5?). Good luck!

I second the above post. Ask if you can defer the offer. You're taking what looks like a heavy/difficult courseload, so the "social life" aspect of your decision isn't going to pan out the way you think it is.

Yes, absolutely I am happy with my decision. This is always easier to say in hindsight when things turn out well though. TAing takes up a significant amount of time (you will be teaching every semester for two years) which varies from being relaxed to a downright drag depending on your assigned course. Your main support will be other masters students, and whatever clubs/activities you decide to get involved in on campus. I think you should factor in what you plan to do afterwards as part of your decision. If you're looking to go into industry, you will have no problem lining up interviews and having a shot at great jobs. If you're looking to do a PhD afterwards at a top CS program, I would look at research fit (are there professors here who you'd be interested in working with?). The type and quality of research that you do will ultimately determine what schools will accept you in this latter case.

There's no formula. Getting into a top PhD program from a masters is very hard. Keep a high GPA, as close to a 4.0 as you can (a 3.5 is not good if you're looking at top programs). Show great research potential by impressing your recs and/or publishing. Be passionate about your research and what you're doing.

I say GPA > Interest in this situation. If you want to get into a good grad school, GPA is an essential. Why not just audit the courses you're interested in but don't think you'd do as well in?

When I applied for masters I was accepted to Stanford, Princeton, Cornell, UIUC, and UT Austin. I was rejected from most other top masters programs (though I did not apply to CMU). I picked Princeton as it was fully funded. If you have the option of doing your masters without having to pay at a top 10 school, go there. If you have to pay either way, Stanford's a great place to go (you'll need a little more initiative in finding TAships/RAships if you want to help cover costs and/or get research experience).

It's still a well regarded MSCS degree. If you name the other places you got accepted, I could give you an idea of how they compare.

If you are going to cancel your admission, don't send in the deposit... And yes, if you agreed that you would accept and are now rescinding, they have a right to be upset with you. I would very carefully and honestly explain to them what happened, and that you now have better offers that you would rather accept instead. I am sure this kind of thing, while uncommon, is hardly unheard of. (for example, people getting taken off the MIT waitlist after the April 15th deadline rescind their other offer) I hope someone else can shed more light on this issue.

Ouch, that sounds like one hell of a situation. I was actually in a similar situation in late November: 1) Going through a bad breakup 2) Feeling unwanted by faculty 3) Wondering what to do with the rest of my life I was planning to apply for PhD programs, but with everything happening, I wondered if it was better to just call it off. Instead, I decided to pour myself into my courses and my applications, because honestly I felt my back against the wall and it was all I had. My work, and my applications, were inspired. It was some of the best writing and work I've ever done. I can't understand the magnitude of your situation, mine wasn't a divorce, so take my advice in context. I would heavily advise against quitting, or doing anything that might sabotage your future career. Personal issues can be brutal, but the feeling of having worked through them without setting back other areas of my life was wonderful. And the work took my mind off other problems, if only temporarily. This is just me, but I wouldn't talk to the professors about any of your issues unless absolutely critical. Also, it's hard to know what they're seeing from their end when you're feeling this distraught, sleep deprived etc. That's my spiel. I think you should push through and give it your all. Get better soon!