Can I get into UCSD?

How hard is it to get into Stanford's CS masters program with a CS bachelors from UCSD?

• Hi, I am currently a junior at UCSD, CS major. My GPA is around 3.6. I heard somewhere that if your undergrad GPA is less than 3.85, they won't even look at your application, is this true? Also, Stanford has grade inflation in most of their classes, a friend told me that 40% get around A/A-'s. So I'm assuming it's not that difficult. At UCSD, A's aren't handed out and only about 10-15% of the class actually get A's. Plus, UCSD is #14 in Cs. They are pretty highly ranked as well. So will a 3.6 GPA get into Stanford's Cs?

• Answer:

  The problem with trying to predict "how hard is it to get in" is that admissions looks through so many applications that there is some degree of randomness to it. I would say if your application is well rounded then you have a good shot. Let me tell you, I did not have a 3.85 GPA coming out of Berkeley, so that is not a requirement. From what I remember the application is made up of a few different components. Coursework and academics: Your 3.6 shouldn't be a deal breaker - probably more importantly is how that number breaks down. Did you take upper division or graduate level CS classes and do well? Did you try to be involved in undergraduate research at all? Does your academic life show someone that is interested in the subject matter? Since you're a junior, it's not too late to try to get some research in or an interesting internship somewhere. GRE: The general GRE is required. Obviously you should try to do well on this. The CS GRE is not required, but recommended. For what it's worth, I didn't take it. Recommendation Letter: It's hard to get a good letter unless you've worked with a professor. It's hard for them to say anything interesting about you unless you've done really well in class or made an impression some other way. To get 3 amazing recs is really challenging, so I would say try to get at least 1 professor in your focus area to give you a great review and 2 good ones. The professors mostly know one another so having someone in the same area will help. Essay: Knowing the area you want to focus in will help your essay be stronger and more targeted. What you can talk about is a personal decision, but in general it's safe to talk about interesting projects you've worked on, why you want to be in the field, and any other parts of your application that need explanations. Overall the CS masters class felt pretty big while I was at Stanford so I think you should apply but also apply to some other places as well.