MIT Graduate PhD Admissions

jessiehl
Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:45:08 +0000

I’ve heard a wide variety of claims as to what various UK degree classes equal in US GPA. I’m not sure that I trust any of them. Based on what I do know, a 2:1 should be fine. But you should realize that there are many factors in the admissions decision besides grades, and that grades will not be the primary factor in your admissions decision. This is even more true (of your BSc grades) since you have a master’s.

A PhD is a research-based degree (as you probably know). Programs want to see that you can do research. The point of looking at your grades is to establish that you have a sufficient body of knowledge and can pass qualifiers.

There’s a great article by a CS prof from Carnegie Mellon, who has participated in CS PhD admissions decisions at three of the top 10 US CS programs, including MIT, about the PhD admissions process at top CS programs. She goes into what they consider in a fair amount of depth. I’ve included the link, and I suggest that you read it.