please review profile for CMU PhD software engineering

[mscs4phd]

Hey,

I am thinking of applying for Ph.D. at CMU (software engineering). My credentials are: -

- 4+ years as software engineer in one of the big networking companies in US

- MS CS from US university (3rd tier) 3.75 GPA

- one publication in ISSRE 2006

- was TA for 3 semesters

- MCA from India (8/10)

- the sticking point is bachelor`s is non-science (it is business)

- i need to take GRE but the last time I took it I scored 2070 (Q:800, V:560, A:710)

what do you folks think? anything I can do to improve my chances?

Thanks!

[joro]

You might have a chance considering your 4+ years of work experience. Although your lack of publications, especially since you have a MS in CS might hurt you. I think you're expected to have a few publications under your belt if you have a MS in CS.

[mscs4phd]

thanks Joro! a few more publications would have helped for sure. I am hoping that work-ex + good MS GPA would help.

[mrjd225]

You're profile looks pretty good to me. I wouldn't say you are guaranteed to get in, but I think you would have a pretty good shot. Plus, what could you really do at this point to strengthen your app? I would focus on getting good gre scores (your previous ones are great) and getting LORs that focus on research potential, even if they are from people in industry. Good luck.

[explorer-c]

Hey,

I am thinking of applying for Ph.D. at CMU (software engineering). My credentials are: -

- 4+ years as software engineer in one of the big networking companies in US

- MS CS from US university (3rd tier) 3.75 GPA

- one publication in ISSRE 2006

- was TA for 3 semesters

- MCA from India (8/10)

- the sticking point is bachelor`s is non-science (it is business)

- i need to take GRE but the last time I took it I scored 2070 (Q:800, V:560, A:710)

what do you folks think? anything I can do to improve my chances?

Thanks!

To be honest there's nothing that particularly stands out from your application to warrant an admission to Software Engineering PhD at one of the top CS dept in the US. Sorry if it sounds harsh, but I'm just trying to be blunt here. 3.75 is not that high of a GPA for an MS, and it's not from a top tier university either. Your research credential is also average for an applicant with an MS. I think your best chance is to publish more and have someone really famous in Software Engineering write a glowing LoR for you.

[mscs4phd]

thanks, I am looking for honest opinions here as I have been through this process and its a long & stressful one.

[explorer-c]

thanks, I am looking for honest opinions here as I have been through this process and its a long & stressful one.

You still have time until the end of this year though. So if you can find a research position in a university and managed to publish I think it would be a significant boost for your application. Anyway, good luck! It's definitely a tough process. Also, definitely apply to more than just 1 university because even if you have a perfect profile, there's no guarantee that you'd get in.

Edited April 14, 2010 by explorer-c

[Zen]

ISR would give a high preference to industrial experience, or any

additional research experience, but they take very few grads. (typically

around 2 accepts) CSD gives high weightage to past academic

performance but the number of acceptances are more (but more apply) It

might be a good idea to apply to both places.

If you are really interested in Software engineering, may be you can also

look at SE groups at UC Irvine and USC. Even Imperial college has some

good people.

Edited April 15, 2010 by Zen

[mscs4phd]

ISR would give a high preference to industrial experience, or any

additional research experience, but they take very few grads. (typically

around 2 accepts) CSD gives high weightage to past academic

performance but the number of acceptances are more (but more apply) It

might be a good idea to apply to both places.

sure, i plan to apply to both. from what I read on ISR's web-site, it looks like industrial experience is important for them.

If you are really interested in Software engineering, may be you can also

look at SE groups at UC Irvine and USC. Even Imperial college has some

good people.

hmm.. I will take look. As you seem to know about SE programs, did you apply to any of these? do mind sharing your credentials & results?

Thanks!