Looking for Some Guidance

[dontworrybehappy]

Hi all,

 

I've been following theGradCafe for some time now, just got the chance to sign up

I will be applying for an M.Sc. in CS by Fall 2013. I am highly interested in practical applications of AI and software engineering.

 

I don't have an outstanding profile, but I do have some skills and experiences that stand out. That's why I need the guidance of those who have been through the process of grad admissions.

 

Looking forward to relocate to the west coast or the east coast. Or how about EPFL, ETH, or even TU Delft or Eindhoven? All seem great to me

 

GRE: Quantitative: 800, Verbal: 570

TOEFL: 107

 

GPA: 2.97, but this is because all my non-major courses are mostly C's or D's. My CS courses make up an average of 3.55/4.00. Algorithms, data structures, AI and introductory CS courses are mostly A's or A-'s.

 

Research Experience: There is one; my graduation project on mining mobility data streams with the ultimate goal of early-prediction of the Alzheimer's disease. This work was part of a large project funded by the European Union's FP-7 Department. Published a conference paper at a C-class health conference in Europe. Pretty cool for an undergrad, though not mind blowing. First author after my professor (does that make me second? )

 

Work Experience: Will be 2 years by the time of my application. Software Engineer on financial systems at one of Europe's leading GSM operators. Great, but somewhat irrelevant

 

References:

1) My supervisor with the graduation project: Highly recognized in his own field; bioinformatics Will write a pretty good one.

2) Second supervisor: Will write an average one. (CS prof.)

3) My manager and/or Assistant General Manager at work: Will write a superb one.

 

SOP: I'm good at writing and making sure I consider the opinions of people I trust.

 

My question is, what level of schools would you recommend me? It seems like an application to Stanford or EPFL would be based on pure luck.

How about state universities, SFSU etc? What would be my chances in that kind of schools, in the U.S or Europe (mostly Switzerland, Sweden, Germany or the Netherlands)?

Furthermore; I require funding enough to cover my most of my living expenses; be it loans, T.A/R.As or just scholarships. I don't know if my GPA would allow me to consider a PhD at a somewhat lower-ranked school.

 

I know the questions are very broad and not easy to summarize in a paragraph. I just want to have an idea on what sort of schools would be safe for me to get in. And which ones I could force my chances?

 

Any help appreciated

[josefchung]

Hi dontworry,

 

As for the GRE, the writing score is usually the 2nd most important (after Q), so you would want a high writing score (at least a 4, but optimally 5+) if you are looking to get into a good MS program (i.e. top-25). 

 

The GPA is lower than what a good school would want. While it is somewhat remediated by your major GPA, unless you are from an elite undergrad institution that does not inflate GPA scores, this would hurt you the most in your applications. If you have an explanation for why the GPA is low (i.e. exceptional circumstances) explaining this in your SOP might help.

 

As for the recommendation letters, the admissions committee favors letters written by professors over non-faculty. Unfortunately, a pretty good letter and an average letter won't do much to boost your profile. To get into good schools, you have to cultivate good relationships with the faculty (preferably renowned professors) and have them write you strong letters.

 

Your research experience is good, so I'd make sure to highlight that in the SOP, while also laying out a well thought-out research plan.

 

Overall, if you are from an average undergrad institution, and if your writing score is average (4 or below), then I think you have a slim chance at getting into a top-25 school. In this case, I would mainly aim for ranks 26-50, while also applying to some safeties (if you are okay with going to a safety school). 

 

On the other hand, if your writing score is also high (5 or above), and if you are from an elite undergrad institution, then I would say you have a semi-decent shot. In this case, I might do an equal share of top-25 and ranks 26-50, while also applying to some safeties.

 

Best of luck!

[dontworrybehappy]

josefchung, thank you very much for the reply. You're right, I forgot; my writing score for the GRE is 4.5. Unfortunately, it's only a little above the average.

My undergrad institution is an elite one, but in Istanbul, Turkey.

 

It seems like I will be applying to schools between the ranks of 20 and 70. I am okay with going to a safety school.

 

Can you also elaborate on my chances of getting a scholarship or some sort of funding? Any chances with the PhD programs?

 

Any other replies? All will be highly appreciated =)

Edited January 22, 2013 by dontworrybehappy

[josefchung]

Hi dontworry,

 

4.5 is a good score, and I think you should have a decent shot at rank 20-70 schools. As for your undergrad institution, it will help if it is a university that the faculty might easily recognize. In this regard, it might help to apply to schools that have had a good contingent of graduates from your school (assuming they established a good track record).

 

If you are looking for funding, your best bet is to apply to PhD programs. It is common for PhD students to quit after getting a Masters (some by design, some not). Getting funding with a PhD program is almost assured (at least for the first few years), while it is almost non-existent for MS programs. 

 

As you might know, getting into a PhD program is much more competitive (also I think deadlines for the good schools are past). Your sop/research plan and your recommendation letters become much more important when applying to a PhD program, while your test scores less so. The PhD admissions are also a lot more variable. In many cases, specific advisors are looking for a very specific type of a student to fit their needs. If you can find faculty members with whom you think you are a good fit, contacting them might be of some help.

 

Some programs allow PhD applications where if you aren't admitted into the PhD program, they then review you for the MS program. Applying to these programs will give you the best bang for the buck.

 

Best of luck!

[dontworrybehappy]

Thank you. I am very much enlightened =) 

 

What ranks would you recommend me to target for a PhD admission? Would ranks 30 to 50 be a dream? Or can I call a rank 70+ school my safety PhD program?

[josefchung]

Hi dontworry,

Admission into a PhD program is extremely competitive (somewhat due to guaranteed funding) and the admission rates for PhD programs ranked 30-50 is still very low (many in the near teens). Because the admissions also vary widely year to year, I would hesitate to call a 70th ranked program a safety school, even for someone with a good profile.

The process is more fickle than the MS admission, and if you can find a faculty member with a good fit, this will greatly help your chances in admission.