PhD application evaluation

[klose]

Hello,

I’m pursuing my bachelor’s degree with major in CS and minor in Physics and Japanese. I will be senior next semester and I want to do PhD in computer graphics.

About me:

International student. US 4-Year College, Rank 50^th (famous for its tuition instead of CS)

Current GPA: 3.95/4.0

GRE: Q800, V720, AW 3.5

I have 1.5 years of research experience with two professors. One is the chairman of the computer graphics institute in my department and another one is focusing on wireless network. We had good cooperation and both researches are funded by fellowships.

I have one journal publication (not reputable) as co-author with the first professor on virtual reality and sports analysis. Probably will have another conference publication but not on computer graphics.

I will ask for two reference letters from the professors I’ve worked with and another one from the vice president of graduate admission office in my university. She used to be my academic advisor and was the judge in undergraduate research committee. She knows my research work and academic participation pretty well.

I would be appreciated if anyone could tell me my chance to get into top 20 schools, like UCSD, UCLA and University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill (do they really need 4.5 AW?)

Any suggestion for my application or information about computer graphics groups?

[the poisoned pawn]

You definitely have a good shot at the top 20. AW is not that important, I got 3.5 and still get in a top 20 as well. The most important thing is you are able to find professors that have a good fit with your research interest and mention that in your statement of purpose. Many students are not admitted not because they are not good enough for a certain school but because none of the professors finds them suitable for his/her current research.

Of course, you should apply to some schools outside the top 20 as well.

Edited August 1, 2011 by the poisoned pawn