advice for cs phd fall 2011 application

[gray]

Hi,

I'm planning to apply for CS PhD for fall 2011 and looking for advice on how to improve my application in the coming 10-11 months or so before I have to submit my application.

I finished my MS in Comp Science from an average school (but still tier 1) in 2004. I was very much into research and published a conf paper. I also had a fellowship and won an award from the department for my research. Since then, I've been working in industry and doing research. I've done a lot of research internally.....but unfortunately, because of IP concerns, I was not allowed to publish anything. I also had 2 patent applications and one might get abandoned because of budget concerns.

The main limitation in my application is the lack of visible research aka publications...so I'm trying to improve this. For that, I'm now collaborating with a prof from my old university and working on publishing 2 conf papers. This would also help me reconnect with academia....for recommendation letters (I know that letters from within academia generally carry more weight than those from industry...with some exceptions).

I'm aiming for Stanford, Berkeley, UMD, UIUC, and JHU (this is probably more realistic for me...a small dept with research more in tune in my interest). The dreamshots are Stanford and Berkely. With my experience, I know exactly which area and subarea I want to do research and in each of the above Univ I have atleast one prof who is very much in line with my interest.

What can I do to improve my application....?

[joro]

Try to get in contact with Professors you'd be interested in working with and maybe attend conferences they'll be presenting at so that you'll have a chance to talk in person about related interests. I know for Stanford they ask if you've communicated with any Professors regarding your application.

I guess you can take the CS GRE since you've been out of academia for some time now. Maybe search for summer research programs, though I'm not sure what programs are available to non-students. I'm sure there are since I snagged one right after I graduated. If you're near one of those schools, perhaps you can see if you can work in their research lab for free.

So during this early period in your application, try to get that GRE out of the way. Work on your SOP early and tailor it to each school.

[gray]

......Maybe search for summer research programs, though I'm not sure what programs are available to non-students. ......

Thanks for the advice. Searching for summer schools had not occured to me. I'm not near to any of the schools...am in the mid-west....so I'm volunteering my extra time at a lab in a local Univ. But, I might be able to get away to a summer school.

I have a 4.0 GPA in my Grad studies....so I had the CS GRE lower on my list....but am still studying for it. I'll reevaluate my app in summer and reconsider this if it might hurt me or help me.

I'm also going to attend the conferences to network like you said.

Overall...thanks for the advice.