Where do I have a shot? (non-CS background)

[s_rez87]

Hello everyone, my situation is a little different than most applicants. I'm planning to apply for an MSCS program in the Fall (2014). Here are my undergrad scores: 2.8/4.0 GPA 2 years at a junior college then 2.4/4.0 GPA at UC Irvine with a BA in International Studies.

 

My GPA is low because I wasn't planning to go to grad school at the time. After working for 2 years I decided I wanted to get a graduate degree in CS. For the past year I've been taking prerequisite courses at a local JC and CSU. By the end of summer school I will have taken Internet Programming, C++, Assembly, Calc 2, Discrete Math, and Data Structures and Algorithms (lower div). I will probably maintain a 4.0/4.0 in these 6 classes. 

 

I was just planning to apply to the CSU I'm taking these classes at for the MS program. I was wondering if I would have a chance at getting into a higher ranked program. I have yet to take the GRE and I don't have any internship or research experience.

 

My questions:

Will grad schools take into consideration the success I've been having with CS/Math courses compared to how low my undergrad GPA was?

 

Should I take another year and finish the upper div classes (Computer Architecture, OS, etc.) before applying? Thus having to wait an additional year waiting to get accepted.

 

What other schools could I apply to? Would schools like UC Davis, UCSB, Cal Poly SLO, UCI, USC be out of the question?

 

Sorry for the long post. I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

[DeleteMePlease]

My GPA is low because I wasn't planning to go to grad school at the time. After working for 2 years I decided I wanted to get a graduate degree in CS. For the past year I've been taking prerequisite courses at a local JC and CSU. By the end of summer school I will have taken Internet Programming, C++, Assembly, Calc 2, Discrete Math, and Data Structures and Algorithms (lower div). I will probably maintain a 4.0/4.0 in these 6 classes. 

 

If you put this nicely in your SoP I think you have a shot. Definitly check websites if they have a hard cutoff. Some schools may not look at your application with such a GPA. Also some schools have required undergrad courses. Definitly check if you fullfill those requirements.

Is your work experience relevant to computer science? This would be a big bonus especially for a masters program. 

 

[s_rez87]

If you put this nicely in your SoP I think you have a shot. Definitly check websites if they have a hard cutoff. Some schools may not look at your application with such a GPA. Also some schools have required undergrad courses. Definitly check if you fullfill those requirements.

Is your work experience relevant to computer science? This would be a big bonus especially for a masters program. 

 

 

Thanks for the feedback! Most schools I've looked at will accept you conditionally if you only have a few more prerequisite courses. Unfortunately, I don't have any CS work experience. I'm planning to get an internship for Summer 2015 but obviously I will have applied by then. Also I have to see how I score when I take the GRE since that holds a lot of weight. I've just spent a lot of time over the last year taking and doing well in these lower div CS courses and I'm hoping its not all for nothing. 

[dat_nerd]

Thanks for the feedback! Most schools I've looked at will accept you conditionally if you only have a few more prerequisite courses. Unfortunately, I don't have any CS work experience. I'm planning to get an internship for Summer 2015 but obviously I will have applied by then. Also I have to see how I score when I take the GRE since that holds a lot of weight. I've just spent a lot of time over the last year taking and doing well in these lower div CS courses and I'm hoping its not all for nothing. 

 

I advise you to apply to CS research experiences, rather than work experience. Research experience will hold significantly more weight than any kind of work experience. I know CS PhD students who have never held a CS job, don't have a CS background, but had relevant research experience and make very successful students. Additionally, you will obtain stronger recommendation letters from a research program or internship supervisor, rather than your boss from an industry internship.

[PhDerp]

I advise you to apply to CS research experiences, rather than work experience. Research experience will hold significantly more weight than any kind of work experience.

^This. Plus, there are paid research opportunities in the field, so it's a good option for many reasons!

[s_rez87]

I advise you to apply to CS research experiences, rather than work experience. Research experience will hold significantly more weight than any kind of work experience. I know CS PhD students who have never held a CS job, don't have a CS background, but had relevant research experience and make very successful students. Additionally, you will obtain stronger recommendation letters from a research program or internship supervisor, rather than your boss from an industry internship.

 

^This. Plus, there are paid research opportunities in the field, so it's a good option for many reasons!

 

I've been looking into this and it seems like most research programs want either a) someone who does not have their Bachelors degree yet or b ) someone who is currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD program.

 

Is there a website or does anyone have any suggestions on where I could find a program to apply to?

Edited February 14, 2014 by Sam_87

[dat_nerd]

I've been looking into this and it seems like most research programs want either a) someone who does not have their Bachelors degree yet or b ) someone who is currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD program.

 

Is there a website or does anyone have any suggestions on where I could find a program to apply to?

Ask your professors -- chances are that they're looking for research assistants or know someone who is.

[s_rez87]

Ask your professors -- chances are that they're looking for research assistants or know someone who is.

 

Good news: After my calc2 midterm, my professor approached me and told me I received the highest grade in the class. After talking for a bit, I told him my background and he said once I take discrete math and linear algebra I could possibly be his one of his assistants in the Fall for a data mining and AI project. I'm wondering if I should hold off applying (Until Fall 2015) so I will have finished my upper div prereqs and have solid LoRs. This would mean I would have to figure out what to do for an entire year in between. 

 

Also, I read on a forum that an MSCS from a California State School isn't taken seriously by employers. I'm applying to some UC's, but because of my low GPA, my backups are SF State, SJ State, and CSUEB. Would it be a waste of time to get my masters at one of these universities?

[PhDerp]

It doesn't hurt to apply twice, to my knowledge!

I don't think any program is useless, especially if you want the chance to improve your GPA. And as a student, you will have more opportunities to apply to external research opportunities during the summer, including potentially one at your dream school.

[tramxme]

Calpoly SLO is really well-known for their science programs (especially engineering or CS). They're very technical, hand-on, and affordable for in-state students. My friend (CS major) in fact got a job even before graduation and he said a lot of people in his company (in SV) were from Calpoly SLO and companies think very highly of Calpoly CS students. I'd advice you to take Calpoly SLO and SJSU into consideration. UCs are overrated and too much theory rather than real-life practice