Machine Learning PhD schools?

[zygote]

I'm an OK applicant (~3.5 in CS from a Top 20 undergrad, solid quant. GRE, no research) and I want to study machine learning.

PhD programs that might accept this profile? (Some weak math grades but strong CS grades).

Cities are better than rural for me... Thanks for your advice!

[belowthree]

Hmm... given what you're saying here, I'd say: investigate secondary schools within strong state systems and primary schools within weak state systems.

A lot of it will come down to your LoRs and statement. Just your profile like this offers very little in the way of narrowing things down. People with your profile get admitted to every single school in the field.

[zygote]

I noticed your location is San Diego - are you at UCSD? If so, is there any hope of getting in there without research experience? That's one place I'd really love to go, but it definitely qualifies as one of the primary schools in a strong state system.

[belowthree]

I noticed your location is San Diego - are you at UCSD? If so, is there any hope of getting in there without research experience? That's one place I'd really love to go, but it definitely qualifies as one of the primary schools in a strong state system.

I'm at UCSD for my undergraduate work and then I'll be moving next year to UCSC. It's certainly possible to get in without research experience but that is is a tough row to hoe for a PhD applicant. If your rec letters sing, they'd probably take you. With MS this is less of an issue.

Probably apply to UCSD as a reach and look at some of the other UC schools as well. UCSB, UCSC and UCI come to mind. UCD maybe even.

[zygote]

I'd rather take a job as an R.A. or something for a year and get the research experience and then apply and get the school that I want, rather than spending 5 years in a school I don't want...