Liberal Arts College Degree, trying for grad school CS....

[kelanis]

So im curious as to if i should even get my hopes up for getting in to UCSC for an MS in computer science as and potentially up to a PhD (see if i can hack it or not with getting an MS), and in the process of my applications else where felt vastly unqualified.

I got a 3.8 GPA overall on my BS in computer science 3.98 for major, but its coming from a small liberal arts school, well rated (linfield college) but very small program so I dont have nearly as much computer science background as the average university student. I did get 720 Q/550 V/5 W on the GREs as well as worked 3 months as an intern at micron technologies working with the pattern recognition group there on memory, but i feel like my liberal arts background is a handicap, even though it is somewhat unique. Additionally i did finish i a full minor in mathematics as well.

I got 4 letters of reccomendation, 2 from advisors/professors, one from a professor, one from my intern supervisor, the worst letter would be from the none advisor, and my 2 advisors thought very highly of me.

any opinions? Because ive been giving honest thought to getting a second degree in computer engineering and or doing a year more of undergraduate studies somewhere to beef up my CS background.

Thanks people!

Ian

[Minnesotan]

Hard to say, really. Sometimes colleges really like those little libarts schools.

My main advice would be to spread the love as far as your budget will allow. Apply to lots of programs of varying quality. Better to get a phd from southern mississippi baptist tech than a pile of rejection letters from the ivy leagues.