Applying to M.S./Ph.D. program for fall 2021

[AndyRle]

Hello everyone. I am totally new here, so I am sorry if I am posting this in a wrong forum.

I am a third-year student in the computer science program in one of the top 15 universities in the UK, and I want to apply for M.S./Ph.D.(5-6 years long) CS programs in the USA. As I contacted my desired universities, they inform me I can fill their applications for fall 2021 considering that the bachelor degree is three years long in the UK and I have only my second-year grades which are first-class (should be equivalent to GPA 3.8+ or more but I am not sure about the exact equivalations as this is the highest mark available in the UK grading system) I was thinking do I have any chance for the top universities? Because while my GPA and university is good, but I don't have any previous research yet (We did not have any research opportunity in these two years in the university and my only project is on year three which would not be completed on or before the deadline dates), Also I see most of the universities are waving the GRE which prevents the ability to show my academic skills. Additionally, where I should be able to get a very good letter of recommendation from my supervisor I could not think about receiving a strong LOR from other professors as we are not in a close relationship with them here in my university. Is there anything else I could work on until the deadlines to improve my application? 

Thank you for reading

Edited September 9, 2020 by AndyRle

[Bernt]

For STEM fields, undergraduate research experience (or equivalent industry experience) is effectively a requirement to get into PhD programs. Most successful applicants have at least 1 year of research experience (minimum, at top ranked schools applicants typically have 2+ years of research experience). Graduate schools want to see you have experience doing research, as the majority of your PhD will be spent doing research. It will be difficult to get into decent, let alone top ranked CS PhD programs in the US with no research experience. 

Honestly, I would recommend taking 1-2 years to gain relevant research/industry experience prior to applying. This will also provide you with at least 1 research-based LOR, which you absolutely need. You can also seek out a research-based MS first, then apply to PhD programs after, but this is fairly expensive.

Also, just a note: the GRE matters, but not that much for top ranked programs. It can barely help you, but it can definitely hurt you. A meh GPA with a great GRE is still a meh candidate, because your GPA better represents your knowledge in your field. A great candidate with a bad GRE is cause for concern/pause. Relying on the GRE to boost your application for top 10 programs is not a great idea.

[AndyRle]

Thanks for the information. As I understand, there is not a chance for me to get into the PhD program to the top 20 universities even with great GRE, great GPA from a top UK university and 1 very strong LOR. But to be honest, I don't get how people normally get into this program after their undergraduate degree. For example, I am pretty sure there is not any undergraduate program in the UK which help you to build your research experience; it is just about taking modules and their coursework. Is it different in the US and students can build their research experience in the undergraduate or the universities except everyone to gain that from outside of the university for 1-2 years and apply to the PhD after that?

4 hours ago, Bernt said:

Honestly, I would recommend taking 1-2 years to gain relevant research/industry experience prior to applying. This will also provide you with at least 1 research-based LOR, which you absolutely need. You can also seek out a research-based MS first, then apply to PhD programs after, but this is fairly expensive.

I heard that universities in the US do not like the gap between the studies, and this is the reason I want to apply this year in the first place. Also, research-based MS sounds great for building that research experience, but as you said, there is not any fund for that which prevents me from doing that but thanks for your suggestions.

[Bernt]

57 minutes ago, AndyRle said:

Thanks for the information. As I understand, there is not a chance for me to get into the PhD program to the top 20 universities even with great GRE, great GPA from a top UK university and 1 very strong LOR. But to be honest, I don't get how people normally get into this program after their undergraduate degree. For example, I am pretty sure there is not any undergraduate program in the UK which help you to build your research experience; it is just about taking modules and their coursework. Is it different in the US and students can build their research experience in the undergraduate or the universities except everyone to gain that from outside of the university for 1-2 years and apply to the PhD after that?

I heard that universities in the US do not like the gap between the studies, and this is the reason I want to apply this year in the first place. Also, research-based MS sounds great for building that research experience, but as you said, there is not any fund for that which prevents me from doing that but thanks for your suggestions.

 

Yes, with no research experience you likely cannot get into any top 30 PhD programs. Applicants with stellar GPAs (3.9+), fantastic research experience (2+ years), and great LORs get rejected from these programs. They're extremely competitive.

Personally, as a US student, I got 3 years of undergraduate research experience by doing research in multiple professor's lab. I wouldn't count course-based lab work as research unless you did a project (ie, a senior capstone project). Some people do research both in undergrad and post-bacc, or just post-bacc. It's not uncommon for applicants to take 2-4 years off to gain research experience - at multiple interview weekends I was of the only people to NOT do post-bacc research. I'm in a different field (bioeng), but I imagine many CS applicants do research/gain industry experience after graduation before applying to PhD programs.