horizonsny

Can anyone tell me how tough is it to get into top computer science schools master programs? Generally, what is the avg gpa and gmat that is necessary to get into good CS masters programs like Columbia, Upenn, or NYU? How much does the undergraduate major matter ? (i'm possibly going to be doing finance or information systems). Is the overall gpa important or only the cs related courses? How much relevant work experience do you need ? Does masters admissions require letters of recommendation?

jessiehl

GMAT? You don't take the GMAT for CS programs; it's a b-school test. You take the GRE.

It really varies quite a lot by school, and also by individual circumstances. Generalizing would be hard. I'm sort of atypical (and not actually in a master's yet, just a post-bac, and applying this year for a master's), so my anecdotes would not be all that useful.

I could say that, in general, you need a very good GPA. On the other hand, I have seen people compensate for low GPAs with good work experience, or by taking classes at their desired school as a special student or post-bac. I could say that, in general, you're better off with an undergrad CS major than without one, but you can find exceptions to that all over the place.

And different programs are very different. Some programs care more about work experience than others, or more about non-CS grades than others, or what have you.

You will almost certainly need letters of recommendation.