Non-traditional student looking for advice (MS/PhD CS seeking)

[asitseemsoflate]

Hello!

 

I'm an EE junior at a top 15-20(based on US News) school (assuming this matters) with a really "different" background, and I intend to apply to graduate schools in roughly 2016.

 

My background: I did not graduate from high school, I had to drop out to take care of my family while recovering from illness in roughly 2004, and went to community college in 2009 to receive a GED. 

 

I went to community college to obtain college credit, and finally was able to transfer 3 years later to my current university. I have been in "school" for about 5 years, trying to play catch up.

 

My current GPA at this school is about a 2.94, and I started research last summer. Hopefully I will be on track to publish something this year and/or next year. I am on track to make A's the rest of my degree plan, as I have finally learned this school process from the ground up, while being able to manage some research in machine learning and signal processing.

 

I would like to know if I am at a huge disadvantage for graduate studies(MS, eventually PhD with a better profile), and any advise you all would have to give. I will have finished school in 6 years, and at least a GPA of 3.2, with a few years of research experience and hopefully some published work. I am a little discouraged and I would like realistic input. I hope my profile serves as some encouragement at the very least, as well.

 

It is even worth applying? The highest GPA I can achieve at this point is somewhere in the ballpark of a 3.6-3.7, and I know these things are quite competitive.

 

Thanks.

Edited February 17, 2014 by thejunkman

[bmarcus]

Go for it!

[peachypie]

No reason not to try for a PhD.  I'd say you should keep your sets on that and plan accordingly.  good luck!

[asitseemsoflate]

No reason not to try for a PhD.  I'd say you should keep your sets on that and plan accordingly.  good luck!

 

Thanks for the replies. Could you elaborate on why you'd say there isn't a reason not to apply for a PhD? I think my main concerns/assumptions are, with respect to applying for a PhD program:

 

1) My GPA

2) The length of time it has taken me to complete my degree

3) My background without a high school diploma/long upward journey

 

I've done as much research as I could, but I feel that my case is somewhat rare and I would think this could be a disadvantage vs. another stellar applicant for PhD programs. 

 

Are my assumptions incorrect? I'm hoping great research can overshadow the above weaknesses. Once again thanks!

[pl1]

My piece of advice (for PhD):

 

1) Get the highest possible GPA. From what I have heard 3.6-3.7 in the US is within the safe zone. 2.94 is too low

2) Get great recommendations from well-known professors. Find professors well known in the area you want to work with. Work really hard. Bring new ideas and results frequently. Show a lot of drive, get acquainted with everyone in the lab. Work for at least 6 months and nail your project. If possible, work with 2 professors at the same time in the same project. You will need those reference letters.

3) Manage preparation for exams carefully. You need to nail GRE to show that you are smart.

 

If you do this in the time you have left, hard but not impossible, nobody will care about your background.

 

Disclaimer: I am an international student. I have been admitted to top CS schools for PhD with not very good grades but with previous work experience.

[peachypie]

Thanks for the replies. Could you elaborate on why you'd say there isn't a reason not to apply for a PhD? I think my main concerns/assumptions are, with respect to applying for a PhD program:

 

1) My GPA

2) The length of time it has taken me to complete my degree

3) My background without a high school diploma/long upward journey

 

I've done as much research as I could, but I feel that my case is somewhat rare and I would think this could be a disadvantage vs. another stellar applicant for PhD programs. 

 

Are my assumptions incorrect? I'm hoping great research can overshadow the above weaknesses. Once again thanks!

1.  most gpa requirements fall into the above a 3.0 as long as you do that you have a decent chance imo especially if you have things such as research along the way.  it does say something that you went to a higher ranked school.  i know a dgs who asked me about where i went to school and was satisfied to know i went to a competitive school, this can also explain a lower gpa.  you also say that you hope and plan to achieve a's for the remaining courses.  that is great.  grad schools love to see your momentum.  getting good grades now is more important than getting good grades before. keep that up and it will speak volumes on your transcript.  many schools will judge you on a whole profile and not get fixated on a number, many but not all.  be wise in which schools you apply to and what they say are their requirements and some schools say you can be lacking in one of the areas as long as you can show through the rest of your profile that this is an anomaly and not the norm. 

2.  it shows dedication and determination that you have continued to pursue education.  Graduate school isn't exactly about going through as fast as possible its tough and they like to see you have the ability to persevere.  that is a positive you can highlight.

3.  I really don't know what the consequence of a high school diploma compared to a ged is but i would hope that the rest of your profile can speak for you.

 

practice for the gre and do well.  This again will help supplement any doubts of gpa as well as show that a ged vs diploma is a non-factor.  

My best advice is capitalize on everything you can now and show how strong of an applicant you are.  try hard to do real research and get what you can out of it, this is a bigger asset for any graduate program where you'll be doing research.  You have no reason not to try in my opinion.  You sound like you have drive and ambition.

 

the idea here is to keep in mind that you have assets other people don't have, and its important to recognize the maturity and growth that you have.  great research can help you rise above your weak points.  also going back and trying to work on your weak points does.  if you feel something looks weak now think about what you can do to show that is not the case.  retake a course? do well on gre? whatever you think is: "eh i really don't feel great about this" and find something you can do now that can make you feel like: "i don't feel great about this BUT i did this to show i can do better than that"

 

best of luck!