Evaluation for a Fall 2011 Computer Science Grad degree

[CaptainConfused]

Hey all!

I'm new on these forums. Well, a new registered user. Been reading them for a while.

I know this isn't appreciated too much, but I thought I'd save myself a few rejection letters if I had some of your replies to my profile before I actually went ahead and spent a whole bunch of money on applying to grad schools I wouldn't get into.

Completed my B.E in Computer Science and Engineering in the year 2008 from an average university in India. I have about 59.6%. I have no idea how much that is when translated in to a GPA. My apologies for that.

GRE = 690 A, 660 V, 4.5 Analytical writing.

TOEFL = 114

Work Experience = Two years with Capgemini Consulting India as a developer after which I switched into a smaller company in a completely different profession so I'd have some time to apply to grad school.

I have loads of extra curriculars, right from from school, all the way to my final year of university. (I've got proof for them as well :-) )

My LORs = All from college; one from my Head of Department, and two from senior lecturers within my department.

So what do you think?

And as a side note, have any of you switched majors going into grad school? How easy/difficult was it for you to do so? I've been riddling my infinitesimal intellect on how to switch majors going in to grad school, but somehow it seems a little too difficult.

I have now wasted three minutes of your day! Hope you reply. I do hope someone does! :-)

[newms]

What degree are you interested in applying for? A research based MS, a professional MS or a PhD? Also do you have any research experience?

Edited October 9, 2010 by newms

[CaptainConfused]

What degree are you interested in applying for? A research based MS, a professional MS or a PhD? Also do you have any research experience?

Thanks for replying!

Academically, my final semester project was a proof of concept for motion detection algorithms.

And while I worked with Capgemini, I was involved with two projects that were Proofs of Concept. That wouldn't count as research or would it?

As for the kind of degree, I want to keep my options open after I'm done with my masters. The colleges out here in India aren't too research oriented, besides the Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology and other State and Center funded institutes. You mostly get your degree, and scoot!

[newms]

And while I worked with Capgemini, I was involved with two projects that were Proofs of Concept. That wouldn't count as research or would it?

If you actually did research, then it would. You don't have to have a paper published or even have solved the problem you were working on to have 'research experience'. I'm going to be honest, your scores aren't great, but that shouldn't discourage you. You will need to be able to write a very good SoP as well as choose the schools you're applying to very carefully. Have you decided on a sub area you would like to work on in grad school? This could guide which schools you apply to.

[CaptainConfused]

If you actually did research, then it would. You don't have to have a paper published or even have solved the problem you were working on to have 'research experience'. I'm going to be honest, your scores aren't great, but that shouldn't discourage you. You will need to be able to write a very good SoP as well as choose the schools you're applying to very carefully. Have you decided on a sub area you would like to work on in grad school? This could guide which schools you apply to.

My lack of good scores has kind of been putting me off from applying. I'd like to get into systems engineering. And with regards to research, I didn't know what you pointed out with regards to not having papers published. Thanks a tonne for that tip :-)