CS masters with mediocre GPA

jack63
Tue, 05 May 2009 20:16:02 +0000

I was in a very similar situation with a very similar undergrad GPA. I’m an engineer. I got into a PhD program at one of those schools you listed. The key for me was loads a relavant and cool work experience that was really applicable to the research being done in the PhD program. It took a few years, and it wasn’t trivial to get this experience in industry. It can be done though.

Yes, acceptances into graduate programs is tougher this year. My guess/estimate would be that many of these grad programs are accepting 20% to 30% fewer this year.

Also, a 3.4 ain’t bad from Illinios. Try to get good letters of reference. That will make a big difference.