bluewolf428

So I will be graduating in a year and half with a BS in Electrical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech and have just recently started thinking about doing masters. I was interested in Computer Science as it pays decently and I feel it opens up more options for me with my career goals. I wanted to do masters right after undergrad but have no idea where I stand among other students..

Currently, I have a 3.65 GPA. I am quite involved on campus, but dont htink grad schools really care about extra curriculars?
GRE..havent given one..do I have to give one for CS? what kind of scores in which area is good?
I will be a TA in the next semester but in an elecrical engg class
and I will also be joining a research group whose focus is on robotics from fall onwards..
as for computer science..I know matlab, c and i will be taking c++ this semester.

so where do you think I stand? what kind of colleges are realistic for me?
also, how can I improve my chances? I cannot graduate late..i will be graduating at teh same time so i dont have time for minor..I can hardly take like one more class other than my required ones..


so anyone..?

b@r!um

The general rule of thumb: As long as you don't mess up on preliminary screening indicators (prerequisite coursework, GPA, GRE scores), your chances hinge 100% on your letters of recommendation and noteworthy accomplishments relevant to your field.

Bottom line: there's no way for us to "chance" you.

There is a subject test for computer science but it's optional almost everywhere and many applicants don't take it.

bluewolf428

So will I pass the preliminary screening for CS? because I have only taken 3 CS class(C, Matlab and C++).
and as I said my TA position isnt related to CS..it is however VHDL. My research area is robotics but I am not sure which aspect I will be involved in..so do you think with that kind of relevant "accomplishments" I have a shot at like top tier or even mid tier colleges?

as for lor, can they be general lor or they need to be very specific about my cs goals and achievements?

b@r!um

If that's really the only computer science you have seen, you are pretty much screwed for graduate applications unless you ace the CS GRE. Most CS graduate programs expect that their students have at least a basic foundation in data structures, algorithms, computer organization/architecture, maybe operating systems, and a couple of math classes. Odds are that these were part of the EE curriculum though?

If not, I suggest you learn C++ on your own (not that terribly hard) and take a course on Data Structures and Algorithms instead.

My undergraduate computer science department only formally taught us two languages: an object-oriented language in Intro CS and Scheme or Lisp in Theory of Programming Languages. However, instructors used all sorts of languages in their upper-level classes and we were expected to learn them on our own as we needed them.

Joining a research group is not an accomplishment. Your contributions to the project are what counts. Letters of recommendation praising your hard work and some good ideas might indeed make you competitive for the top programs. Pure "grunt work" (coding, experimenting with different parameter settings, compiling data) is much less impressive.

codejunkie

^ yes, bluewolf428 mentioned that he's currently finishing a BS in EE.

BrownParent

I think a BS in EE is a good foundation for a CS Masters. But like Borlum says, the individual classes in programming language don't matter (and isn't common), it is the foundational CS classes he lists. A CS BS should teach you how to teach yourself languages. A Minor is of no import, don't sweat that.

A TA position shows compentancy and cred in your dept, and is good for gaining possibly financing part of your grad school-- otherwise just 'nice'. EC's don't matter.

The GPA is good, keep it up. Research is important and it get's you good LOR's, which are really important.

I think you are looking good and there are tons of Uni's with great CS grad programs, you will have a hard time whittling it down, believe it.

anom217

As previous posters have stated, you need to take those foundational CS courses to get in. Then do well on the quantitative section of the GRE, which shouldn't be too difficult for you. Do that and you should have a good chance at some top 10 CS schools.

SharpTech

How about if you just continue into the MSCS program at Georgia Tech? I think they may exempt you from the GRE since you are already an undergradaute student there. I also think your chance of admission will be very high because of the very same reason.

I also think there is no need for you to worry of not getting into any MSCS programs as you are completing a BSEE at one of the best engineering schools in the world. That degree alone will give a lot of credibility and the gradaute schools will realize that. If I were you, I would just continue at Georgia Tech since it also has one of the best CS programs in the world.

MetdethGNR

Hi guys!

Totally didn't mean to jack the thread but I really don't know who else to ask.

Say you did your undergrad at MIT. Say you did very okay, at an average of ALMOST a B. Say you get hired by Microsoft/Google/Facebook right off the bat, then work for 2 years.

After 2 years, would it be reasonable to say that this person can get accepted to MIT Masters in CS?

P.S- It's a real close friend of mine, he did get "mediocre" GPA, but he did get hired at a huge company. He wants to come back for his masters. Is it reasonable with only 2 years, or should he wait longer?