Some questions on MS Computer Science from a lost 3rd year undergrad

sgp3213 · November 13, 2011

Hey all. I am just wondering a few things about applying to graduate programs in computer science.

-1st off, I am wondering if I should do a masters at my school (as part of a 5-year BS to MS program) or if I should go ahead and apply to other schools? (What I am getting at is if a masters in a computer science at a top-tier private school is worth taking out tons of loans for)

-2nd, I want to know what range of schools would be reasonable for me (stats below).

Just starting my 3rd year at a Top 40 CS program at a State University

Enrolled into my school's Computer Science Honors Program ; Double major with Applied Math

Current Overall GPA: 3.55

GRE: 800 Quant, 640 Verbal, 4.0 Writing (Took GRE before it changed)

Other: 1-1.5years of internship/work experience, primarily during summers (the rest part time during school). These experiences cross a wide range of fields -- IT, Web Development, Game Testing/Development, Teaching programming at a technical summer camp (and soon I will be teaching a GRE prep class). Also, was a teaching assistant for a upper-division probability & statistics course.

I haven't decided whether or not I ultimately wish to pursue a PhD.. so I hope to do some research either next term or during the summer to gain some insight as to whether or not a PhD matches my interests. Lastly, any advice regarding graduate study in computer science would be appreciated.

Edited November 13, 2011 by sgp3213