Preparing for 2007 ?

[tvn]

Anyone preparing for application in 2007 ?

I am applying to a Comp Sci Ph.D program, I am in a dilema.

I am a M.S student from a quite small campus of Penn State, my GPA is not too great, around 3.3 especially I had a C in one of the core classes. I haven't taken GRE, but around 700v 450v and 4a based on practices. In mid 2004 I did research at a well-known govn't lab, and it's here that I decided to pursue higher degree. The first time I was there I had 2 publications, eversinced I got 4.0 GPA at school (but these are easy courses as I am done with the core ones) and 2 publications with advisor (one is a journal) .. then I returned back to the lab and within 6 months I had 6 more publications. All are in well known conferences , however only 1 is in C.S conferences, the rest are in Math and physics. In addition, I only can get 2 good LOR's ... I stick with a few whom I work well with (8 publications was with one person).

I can't be sure if my research experience meets top schools' expectations and in doubt if lower ranked ones will be tolerant of my poor academic perf (which is degraded further due to small school background).

[Minnesotan]

I would prepare a varied salvo of 9 schools you like. Pick a few for prestige, a few for the area, and a few because you know you can get in for sure. That way you'll have options.

[rising_star]

Hi tvn and welcome!

Is there anything you could do now and early in the fall to help you get another strong LoR?

I definitely think you've got the research experience, even if it isn't all in CS. It shows your ability to cross disciplines and apply skills to different fields.

Good luck!!

[History_Nerd]

I'm going to have to disagree with minnesotan on one little thing. I don't think anyone is a lock for any graduate program. There are no sure things. If you look at some of the results pages available on the web, a lot of people were really shocked, "I went to Harvard, had a 4.0, perfect GRE scores, and I didn't get into Arizona State" type B.S. There is no such thing as a lock. A lot of people I know were accepted at their top program, but not their "safety schools". In my opinion, I think this is because a lot of people pick their top school based on what is the best fit for them, and the schools recognize if you are a good fit for the program of not.

Maybe that is just my opinion. I would agree on applying to around 7-9 schools. The best advice I got was, "cast your net far and wide".

[Minnesotan]

Nerd has a point. There are no sure things in this absurd process.

To rephrase my prior comment, I would send a couple of applications to schools where it looks like you are well over the minimum qualifications they list at their website. No sure things, true, but applying to a few programs that have acceptance rates higher than 3% is a very good idea.

If I had it to do all over again, I would have applied to more schools, despite the cost. I applied to 8, and I got my second choice (Oxford can bite me!), but it's better to have lots of options rather than worry your butt off until the beginning of June, like I did.