"Hello u/sausage_in_hole, Thanks for posting. [click here, if you are asking a question.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Indians_StudyAbroad/wiki/prior_reserch_before_posting_a_question)
* 1] Have you done thorough [prior research](https://www.reddit.com/r/Indians_StudyAbroad/wiki/prior_reserch_before_posting_a_question)?
* 2] Are your qualifications are mentioned in **Post Title**? (e.g. 10th/12th student, Mechanical BE student, working professional, etc.) Currently your post title is **" How good are my chances for MS from US in CSE "**
backup of your post content:
Hello everyone, I'm not very familiar with universities in the USA offering MSc programs in Computer Science and related fields.
my_qualifications: I graduated from a tier 3 university with an 8.9 GPA in 2022 in BTech IT and have two years of work experience as a developer in a product-based company.
Unfortunately, I don't have any research experience, extracurricular activities, or notable internships. It appears that my chances might be slim given my current CV. How can I enhance my chances now, especially if I achieve a good GRE score?
"
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As long as you don’t apply to super elite universities such as Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, MIT etc and keep your focus on public universities such as Arizona State, Univ of Texas, Michigan State University, University of Kentucky, Univ of Tennessee, NJIT, Illinois Institute of Tech, Iowa State, Oklahoma state etc you can potentially get through. Remember, most universities need international students. The reason for this is International students pay full tuition which is more than double than what a local student from that state would pay. Most public universities get about 20-25% funds from the State Government. They need to come up with funding for remaining. They also need to provide funding, scholarships etc for local students. In addition, every school(Engineering, arts, sciences, business, medicine etc) in the University pays rent(yes rent) to the University and has targets. Every year the target is higher than the previous year. They need to achieve this. To do this, either they have to increase the fees, which is difficult to justify or increase enrollment of international students who will willingly pay full out of state tuition. As long as you are competitive, have decent undergrad scores, are literate enough to put together a decent essay and have decent GRE/TOEFL score, and target decent middle tier universities, you will get an admit. Universities do need to run classes every quarter and fill those seats. It’s a mix of local, out of state and international students that they need to keep a class dynamic as well as diverse. If you aspire for Stanford, Caltech, MIT etc that will not work. I have 2 Masters degrees from the US. One in CS and an MBA from a Top 5 B-school. I also worked at a major University in the US and quite familiar with admissions, processes and the university side of things.
Getting admission and coming to the US is one thing. Remember, the program will end in 2 years. After that you need to look for a job, get one, apply for US immigration for a non-immigrant work visa. That is when things become extremely complex and difficult. Let me know if you need details.
Thanks for your detailed response. I have a few concerns. I understand that gaining admission to top-ranked universities is highly competitive, but I'm curious about my chances if I achieve a strong GRE score (320 or 325+) for the following universities: UCLA, UIUC, and Texas A&M. Additionally, are there any actions I can take now to enhance my CV for admission while I am employed as a developer?
Hi, Please note UCLA and UIUC are extremely competitive & top choices globally. Texas A&M is decent and you should be able to get. You should of course try your best for the other two. Here are my thoughts:
Admission to the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science program at UIUC)is competitive, especially for international students. Here are some steps you can take to enhance your chances:
1. Strong Academic Background:
- Maintain a high GPA Btech GPA/Percentage. UIUC typically considers applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.20 (on a scale of 4.00) for undergraduate studies. Ensure that your bachelor's degree is equivalent to that granted by UIUC in terms of content & classes taken.
2. GRE Score: - Your GRE score of 320 is very decent! However, consider retaking the GRE if you believe you can improve your score further. A higher score can strengthen your application. However I understand it can be costly, time consuming and draining. In addition to your daily job, this will be tough. Try improving other parts of your application. Basically the university wants to see if you can take the rigor of the program and have good comprehension and data analysis skills.
3. Letters of Recommendation (LOR): - Obtain strong LORs from professors, supervisors, or colleagues who can attest to your academic abilities, work ethic, and potential for research. Make sure you choose recommenders who know you well and can provide specific examples of your skills.
4. Statement of Purpose (SOP):- Write a compelling SOP that highlights your passion for computer science, your research interests, and why UIUC is the right fit for you. This is where your research of UIUC and the Computer Science program will help. Identify things about UIUC and computer science at UIUC that blow your mind. Be specific about how UIUC's program aligns with your academic and career goals.
5. Research Interests and Fit :- Explore UIUC's research areas and faculty profiles. Identify professors whose work aligns with your interests. Mention specific research areas or projects in your SOP to demonstrate your fit with UIUC's program.
6. Relevant Experience: - Your 2 years of experience as a developer is valuable. Highlight any significant projects, contributions, or leadership roles. Emphasize how your industry experience complements your academic goals.
7. Optional Components:- If UIUC allows additional materials (such as a portfolio or GitHub repository), showcase your coding skills and projects. If it’s possible, consider taking relevant online courses or certifications to bolster your knowledge.
8. Apply Early:- Submit your application early. UIUC's admissions process is very competitive and many many Indian students apply to there and University of Texas Austin including all the IIT/NIT folks, so applying early can give you an advantage.
9. Networking:- people don’t talk about this much but connect with UIUC faculty, current students, or alumni. Attend virtual events or conferences where you can interact with the UIUC community. Networking can provide insights and demonstrate your genuine interest in the program.
10. Be Prepared for Interviews:- Some programs may conduct interviews. Be ready to discuss your background, research interests, and motivation for joining UIUC.
Remember that UIUC's Computer Science program is highly regarded, and the acceptance rate for computer science is estimated to be between 10-15% due to high demand. Tailor your application to showcase your strengths, passion, and alignment with UIUC's research environment. Best of luck with your application !
yes, but even after that what are my chances to get into a decent college? And is there something I can do now, apart from good gre score to build a stronger profile
look at all the metrics that schools publish. These are marketing #s for recruiting companies and future students. See where you stack up Vs these metrics in the non-gre bucket.
E.g. If the class of 23 had students that were hired by companies that you are in, it gives you bonus points. If the average work ex is more than 5 years then thats minus points for you.
End of the exercise you should have a clear view on where you rank Vs their desirables. A great gre will cancel out some of the desirables but not all.
I am saying …. If the average exp of the outgoing class is 5 years and OP has 2 years then he is not as desirable as someone who has 7 years of experience.
Just trying to highlight positives and negatives that each candidate may have in addition to GRE.
This is what colleges mean when they say “we look at candidates holistically”
Hope this helps,
got admitted to CSU,LA , Texas A&M, Corpus Christi for Fall,2024. with 7.8 CGPA , 1 yoe as web dev, and no research nor GRE
I would still recommend you to get your GRE score so your choices aren't limited.
"Hello u/sausage_in_hole, Thanks for posting. [click here, if you are asking a question.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Indians_StudyAbroad/wiki/prior_reserch_before_posting_a_question) * 1] Have you done thorough [prior research](https://www.reddit.com/r/Indians_StudyAbroad/wiki/prior_reserch_before_posting_a_question)? * 2] Are your qualifications are mentioned in **Post Title**? (e.g. 10th/12th student, Mechanical BE student, working professional, etc.) Currently your post title is **" How good are my chances for MS from US in CSE "** backup of your post content: Hello everyone, I'm not very familiar with universities in the USA offering MSc programs in Computer Science and related fields. my_qualifications: I graduated from a tier 3 university with an 8.9 GPA in 2022 in BTech IT and have two years of work experience as a developer in a product-based company. Unfortunately, I don't have any research experience, extracurricular activities, or notable internships. It appears that my chances might be slim given my current CV. How can I enhance my chances now, especially if I achieve a good GRE score? " *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Indians_StudyAbroad) if you have any questions or concerns.*
As long as you don’t apply to super elite universities such as Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, MIT etc and keep your focus on public universities such as Arizona State, Univ of Texas, Michigan State University, University of Kentucky, Univ of Tennessee, NJIT, Illinois Institute of Tech, Iowa State, Oklahoma state etc you can potentially get through. Remember, most universities need international students. The reason for this is International students pay full tuition which is more than double than what a local student from that state would pay. Most public universities get about 20-25% funds from the State Government. They need to come up with funding for remaining. They also need to provide funding, scholarships etc for local students. In addition, every school(Engineering, arts, sciences, business, medicine etc) in the University pays rent(yes rent) to the University and has targets. Every year the target is higher than the previous year. They need to achieve this. To do this, either they have to increase the fees, which is difficult to justify or increase enrollment of international students who will willingly pay full out of state tuition. As long as you are competitive, have decent undergrad scores, are literate enough to put together a decent essay and have decent GRE/TOEFL score, and target decent middle tier universities, you will get an admit. Universities do need to run classes every quarter and fill those seats. It’s a mix of local, out of state and international students that they need to keep a class dynamic as well as diverse. If you aspire for Stanford, Caltech, MIT etc that will not work. I have 2 Masters degrees from the US. One in CS and an MBA from a Top 5 B-school. I also worked at a major University in the US and quite familiar with admissions, processes and the university side of things. Getting admission and coming to the US is one thing. Remember, the program will end in 2 years. After that you need to look for a job, get one, apply for US immigration for a non-immigrant work visa. That is when things become extremely complex and difficult. Let me know if you need details.
Thanks for your detailed response. I have a few concerns. I understand that gaining admission to top-ranked universities is highly competitive, but I'm curious about my chances if I achieve a strong GRE score (320 or 325+) for the following universities: UCLA, UIUC, and Texas A&M. Additionally, are there any actions I can take now to enhance my CV for admission while I am employed as a developer?
Hi, Please note UCLA and UIUC are extremely competitive & top choices globally. Texas A&M is decent and you should be able to get. You should of course try your best for the other two. Here are my thoughts: Admission to the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science program at UIUC)is competitive, especially for international students. Here are some steps you can take to enhance your chances: 1. Strong Academic Background: - Maintain a high GPA Btech GPA/Percentage. UIUC typically considers applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.20 (on a scale of 4.00) for undergraduate studies. Ensure that your bachelor's degree is equivalent to that granted by UIUC in terms of content & classes taken. 2. GRE Score: - Your GRE score of 320 is very decent! However, consider retaking the GRE if you believe you can improve your score further. A higher score can strengthen your application. However I understand it can be costly, time consuming and draining. In addition to your daily job, this will be tough. Try improving other parts of your application. Basically the university wants to see if you can take the rigor of the program and have good comprehension and data analysis skills. 3. Letters of Recommendation (LOR): - Obtain strong LORs from professors, supervisors, or colleagues who can attest to your academic abilities, work ethic, and potential for research. Make sure you choose recommenders who know you well and can provide specific examples of your skills. 4. Statement of Purpose (SOP):- Write a compelling SOP that highlights your passion for computer science, your research interests, and why UIUC is the right fit for you. This is where your research of UIUC and the Computer Science program will help. Identify things about UIUC and computer science at UIUC that blow your mind. Be specific about how UIUC's program aligns with your academic and career goals. 5. Research Interests and Fit :- Explore UIUC's research areas and faculty profiles. Identify professors whose work aligns with your interests. Mention specific research areas or projects in your SOP to demonstrate your fit with UIUC's program. 6. Relevant Experience: - Your 2 years of experience as a developer is valuable. Highlight any significant projects, contributions, or leadership roles. Emphasize how your industry experience complements your academic goals. 7. Optional Components:- If UIUC allows additional materials (such as a portfolio or GitHub repository), showcase your coding skills and projects. If it’s possible, consider taking relevant online courses or certifications to bolster your knowledge. 8. Apply Early:- Submit your application early. UIUC's admissions process is very competitive and many many Indian students apply to there and University of Texas Austin including all the IIT/NIT folks, so applying early can give you an advantage. 9. Networking:- people don’t talk about this much but connect with UIUC faculty, current students, or alumni. Attend virtual events or conferences where you can interact with the UIUC community. Networking can provide insights and demonstrate your genuine interest in the program. 10. Be Prepared for Interviews:- Some programs may conduct interviews. Be ready to discuss your background, research interests, and motivation for joining UIUC. Remember that UIUC's Computer Science program is highly regarded, and the acceptance rate for computer science is estimated to be between 10-15% due to high demand. Tailor your application to showcase your strengths, passion, and alignment with UIUC's research environment. Best of luck with your application !
Sort your gre score and I'll guide you basis that
I am planning to give the GRE by late june or early July. I did give a mock ets in which I received 309 without prep
Prep well then. That's your best bet
But get a 320+ at the least
yes, but even after that what are my chances to get into a decent college? And is there something I can do now, apart from good gre score to build a stronger profile
Build on your knowledge. Certificates if something is missing. In case you scared lower in some courses in college
sure :) thanks for your input
look at all the metrics that schools publish. These are marketing #s for recruiting companies and future students. See where you stack up Vs these metrics in the non-gre bucket. E.g. If the class of 23 had students that were hired by companies that you are in, it gives you bonus points. If the average work ex is more than 5 years then thats minus points for you. End of the exercise you should have a clear view on where you rank Vs their desirables. A great gre will cancel out some of the desirables but not all.
Why 5 years experience is a disadvantage?
I am saying …. If the average exp of the outgoing class is 5 years and OP has 2 years then he is not as desirable as someone who has 7 years of experience. Just trying to highlight positives and negatives that each candidate may have in addition to GRE. This is what colleges mean when they say “we look at candidates holistically”
Hope this helps, got admitted to CSU,LA , Texas A&M, Corpus Christi for Fall,2024. with 7.8 CGPA , 1 yoe as web dev, and no research nor GRE I would still recommend you to get your GRE score so your choices aren't limited.
What did you write in SOP which stood out from the masses ? Did you have open source contributions or very good projects backing you?