Do I even stand a chance at getting into a Master's Program?

[stellastar23]

I'm currently a junior at UGA (domestic school)  dual majoring in Economics and Computer Science. My GPA is a 3.3. I've been taking a lot of GRE practice tests (and a GRE class) and I think my GRE scores will be something like a 165 Quantitative and a 155 verbal (mediocre). I'm solely interested in a Master's program for Computer Science(I can only handle another 2 years more of school). I've done a bit of research under a professor for economics, but none for computer science (hopefully I can change that). Should I even waste my time applying for grad school because of my low GPA? I'm thinking I could land a job right out of college (I have an internship and my boss has been hinting that they want to make it a permanent thing). I'm simply looking for a way to land a job that pays more than 35k/year. I'm also a female if that helps. Thanks for any of your help. 

 

I'm mostly just interested in low level schools as I'm 100% positive I won't end up in a mid tier one. 

Edited January 27, 2014 by stellastar23

[ashriv]

Hi Stellastar,

 

I don't think you need to worry a lot. I actually had a similar GRE score as you are expecting, and my GPA (when converted) falls at 3.0. Although I studied at the best university in my country, my undergraduate major was in Architecture (not Computer Architecture, the building science). But I somehow got interested in Computer Science - was a good programmer - and one thing led to another.

 

Just last week I received my accept from University of Oxford for a MSc in Computer Science.

 

So, do not lose heart. Do apply!

[Jonathan R Shewchuk]

MS programs in CS differ greatly.  Some universities have cash-cow MS programs that are relatively easy to get into...but are unlikely to help you pay the tuition.

 

I don't think a 3.3 GPA rules out MS programs at mid-tier schools.  It probably will make funding hard to come by.

[stellastar23]

MS programs in CS differ greatly.  Some universities have cash-cow MS programs that are relatively easy to get into...but are unlikely to help you pay the tuition.

 

I don't think a 3.3 GPA rules out MS programs at mid-tier schools.  It probably will make funding hard to come by.

 

 

My parents are willing to pay for tuition, so that's not the issue. However, will a master's degree actually help me out in the long run if I only get accepted to cash cow universities or is it better for me to join the industry? I also have a business background (my economics degree is a BBA) and do not plan on going into any deep research for computer science (and that is what almost all the pHd programs seem to be). Will it be better for me to take a job and go get a MBA in a few years? I want to eventually work for upper level management (like IT Project Manager) and not be a programmer for the rest of my life. 

Edited January 31, 2014 by stellastar23

[UFanny]

I'm a little surprised that you are only getting 35k/yr as a programmer...