Applying in a year: making up for subpar first two years?

[Kevin Subrama]

Hey all, hope I'm at the right place for some advice.

I'm a computer science and math double major. In short, I didn't do so well my first two years. I took a gap year after sophomore year to collect myself. During that time, I decided I wanted to go to graduate school for computer science (machine learning) and focused all my efforts towards that. Fast forward a year and half and that's where I am currently. I've been working like hell to make up for the first two years, and I have 2 - 4 quarters left. Here are the details:

• GPA
  • Ended the second year with a 3.26 cumulative, over 18 classes.
  • From when I returned to now, a 3.85, over 20 classes.
  • Current cumulative is a 3.56.
• Coursework
  • All my classes since have been upper division major related courses.
  • I've taken a couple graduate classes and plan to take more.
  • Normally students at my university take 3 classes per quarter, I've been taking 5 per quarter for the past few and plan to increase that.
• Research Experience
  • I've been working at a genomics lab for the past year working on 3 projects.
    • First one was an introductory, welcome to the lab sort of project.
    • Second one was more involved and didn't really go anywhere.
    • Currently on the third one, which I received a scholarship to work on. 
• Letters of Recommendation
  • Took two classes with one professor, and did exceptionally well in both of them. I plan to ask to do research with them, and I'm confident I can count on a solid letter.
  • I have options for the remaining two to meet the minimum, but these would likely just be average letters.
• GRE: Composite 329, Verbal 163, Quant 166, Writing 5.0
  • Overall a solid score I think. That said I could've prepared more. I plan on retaking it, though it is a lower priority.

What more should I do, in addition to the above? It does feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle, and I don't know if I'm taking the right steps.

Edited May 1, 2018 by rising_star
per poster's request

[rising_star]

I wouldn't continue to overload by taking 5-6 courses in a quarter unless it's something that's necessary to graduate on time. Instead, I would focus on doing what you need to do to take the courses to finish your degree. Beyond that, research experience, ideally in an area you want to be doing research in, is the most valuable thing you can do.

Also, you don't say what field you want to go into. Is it computer science, math, genomics, or something else? 

[Kevin Subrama]

Machine learning! Edited the original question.

As for the classes, I do it mostly because I enjoy it and to fill the time. I'd definitely give a good research project higher precedence.

[fuzzylogician]

Ideally you should spend your free time not on more classes but on more research experience, preferably in the area you want to specialize in in grad school. Can you do a project or independent study to demonstrate your skills and develop some experience in your desired field? Also think about ways to convert one of your other options for letters from an okay letter to a strong one. Two strong letters and one okay will get you much farther than just one strong letter and two average ones. Again, if you have the time, investing in relationships with your professors outside of class would be much more productive. 

[Bayesian1701]

Are you sure you need to retake the GRE?  Your Verbal and Writing are great for STEM and while your Quant isn’t perfect it’s high enough to show mastery of the material.  

I am a fellow math major and I don’t think its a good idea to overload upper level math and CS classes.   It may have worked for you so far but if you haven’t gotten into a lot of upper-level proof based math yet (real analysis, abstract algebra, complex analysis) those classes are insane time suckers that are best handled with easier classes.  I probably spent 15 hours a week outside of class on Real Analysis II (a 3 credit semester long  class).  Take things a little slower, get more research experience, and build better relationships with your professor.