Hello,
I just graduated from undergrad with two bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology. But, I want to go to graduate school (starting fall 2017) to study data science or machine learning, hopefully to obtain a master’s degree.
Here’s what I got:
- Currently enrolled to start a computer science post-bacc certificate program in Fall 2016 at my current undergrad university.
- Have already taken some pre-reqs in undergrad: Discrete mathematics, two Intro programming classes using Java, Linear algebra, Multivariate calculus, Probability theory, Online python course. … With the post-bacc CS program I will have some more valuable courses covered before I enter grad school (Computer systems, software engineering, data science, advanced algorithms, etc).
- A year of neuroscience research including an undergrad thesis paper.
- One paper submitted, second author. … But it’s neuroscience research, so does it even matter?
- 3.955 undergrad GPA.
- Haven’t taken the GRE yet, but I don’t think it’ll be hard (from what I’ve heard).
- Good/great (I think) letters from research PI, comp sci professor, and boss from my job (I’m like a paid undergrad teaching assistant for organic chemistry)
I feel like the biggest thing I have holding me back is that I haven’t done any CS research, and I won’t have time to find a PI and start research before I apply to grad school this cycle.
I would like to go to Stanford, but any top ten school would be awesome.
But, is it even feasible for me to get accepted into a top 10 CS master’s program? What are my chances?