Find solution
Is there a Job for Computer Science Graduate that does not do programming?

What bracket of universities should I aim for, for an MS in computer science in the USA?

  • Top 20 or top 20-30 or top 30-40 or remaining? I am a Computer Science Engineering graduate (B.Tech in Computer Science) from a state-board accredited college (simply means a mediocre college) in India. I was expected to complete my engineering in 2013 but got a backlog in my final semester. My revaluation result is expected in a month or two. Due to this, it has become difficult for me to plan for my further studies or to find a job. I plan to go for MS in Comp. Sc. in fall 2014/spring 2015. I have just started studying for GRE and TOEFL. My aggregate percentage/grades in different levels are as follows: 10th grade : 90+ 12th grade : 65+ B.tech. : 65(approx.) I don't have any research papers to my account and have a not-so-good summer training experience of 2 months. I am good with Java programming. Considering my profile, I am a little confused about - Which bracket of colleges should I aim for - top 20 or top 30 or top 40? What GRE and TOEFL score do I need for the same? Will I be able to get any financial-aid (scholarship/TA/RA/anything else) considering my current profile. Which session is the best for me to apply for - a. -->Fall 2015 b. -->Fall 2016        4. How can I better my chances for a better graduate school? If you can devise a plan for me, it would be great help. Thanks in advance. Thanks a lot. UPDATE: My backlogs got cleared and I am working for a top IT company since December, 2013.

  • Answer:

    Find out which universities (if any) seniors from your college have gone to in the last few years. Those universities represent your best chance of getting admits and even aid, because the selection committee there will have heard of your college. Applying anywhere else is pretty much a dice roll - because your research experience is non-existent (and you're not going to be able to fix it in 1 extra year), your GRE/TOEFL scores don't matter much, your recommendations don't matter much. (For details see ) And if nobody from your college has gone to the US in recent years, then first do an M.Tech in one of the IITs or IISc, and then apply for an MS.

Navin Kabra at Quora Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Ok, so that is indeed a long question. Now, first things first. Your 10th and 12th grades do not matter for graduate school. What matters is your research, and the quality of papers you have published. Now you have two options with you. 1. Get admission in Fall 2014 in a mediocre university, since you do not have significant research experience and be satisfied with what you have. 2. Wait for Fall 2015. Try clearing your backlog and start applying now to research labs at IITs, or IISc (Based on the way you framed your question, I am assuming you are from India). Working for NGOs or freelance coding would be of no help. Now, since you do not have a problem waiting for a year, I would recommend the second option and join a research lab at the earliest. Professors at research labs are known to recruit Project Associates (PA) and you can work significantly with them for two year, and publish papers in top conferences. Now, this will help you get a good research experience, and you can then aim for the top 20 Universities for Fall 2015. Ultimately, the ranking of the University does not matter. What matters is the hard work you put in for the two years, and the knowledge gained in the process. Although I have answered this question, please do not make Quora a profile evaluation forum! It is best to post these kind of queries on Gradcafe and Edulix! All the Best!

Anonymous

You have a very good profile. The deadlines for the top colleges (except PennState who have rolling admissions) are over. I think you should wait for Spring/Fall 2016 and apply to top colleges. Some colleges that i can think of are PennState UCLA UCSB All the Best :) And hey, 3 different companies in 5 months? Yedyurappa, is that you? :D

Akshay Rajendraprasad

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.