<p>I think this site is really great. Good thing I found it!..</p>
<p>I just got done with my GRE. I scored a 690V 800Q. I'm still awaiting my AWA marks,but I'm expecting around 4.0+. I am in my junior year in Mumbai University pursuing a Bachelors in Computer Engineering. I have a GPA around 3.0+ out of 4 ( I don't know how to convert it, its actually 6.5/10). I've written for the college magazine, developed a number of websites, worked for a web development company for a couple of years and am a national level quizzing champion. I do believe I will be able to get quite a few positive LOR's. My Final Year project, though not yet fully realized is about encrypting data using a custom made text editor in order to send larger SMS's.</p>
<p>Thing is, I'm really worried about what colleges I stand a chance for joining for a Masters in Science (MS) in Computer Science/Engineering. Thing is, the counsellors here are not that conversant in college details (A couple of them did not even know that UC Berkeley existed!). </p>
<p>So I would be most obliged if someone could give my an idea of my chances into the following colleges. (Though not a complete must, financial aid/teaching assistantships would be most helpful):</p>
<p>Stanford
MIT
UC Berkeley
UC San Diego
UCLA
Carnegie Mellon
Georgia Tech
Michigan (Ann-Arbor)
Harvard
USC
University of Texas (Dallas, or A&M)
CalTech
Cornell
Princeton
etc....</p>
<p>Ok I know I've mentioned a lot, but I'm pretty much cr*pping my pants in worry here!</p>
<p>“Chances” threads for graduate school are even more useless than the utterly useless undergraduate “chances” threads. The process is far more selective yet much more subjective, relying much less on GPA and test scores than on professional experience, research interests and letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>So, you’ll just have to sweat it out like the rest of us without the false hope or despair created by the blind attempting to lead the blind.</p>
<p>Hey, actually I wasn’t really asking for any portending of my chances. I was just wondering, will be overly optimistic for me to apply to these colleges? Or should I just search for safer ones. I don’t know a lot of people who have applied here. Generally, do people with such scores get into these colleges?</p>
<p>In the US, test scores do not determine whether a graduate program is within range. Good GRE scores will not get you into a program, but bad ones can keep you out. Your scores are good enough to keep you in the running at top programs. </p>
<p>In general, MS programs are easier to get into than PhD programs; however, MS students usually have to pay all or some of the cost, which can get expensive, especially if the program is located in a high cost-of-living area.</p>
<p>My guess is that you could get into some or maybe even most of those programs if your research interests match, if the programs feel that you have adequate experience/training, and if your letters of recommendation are excellent. I suggest that you go through the trouble of converting your Indian GPA to its American equivalent. At programs that have accepted many Indian students in the past, they will know exactly what your numbers mean; however, some of those programs may not.</p>
<p>Don’t pick your programs based on name. Select ten or so programs that focus on your area of interest. And include a few less selective programs as well, provided that you’d be willing to attend if you don’t get into the others. You should also do enough research to determine which programs are more friendly to international master’s students. You can often tell by perusing the list of graduate students and their undergraduate universities.</p>
<p>Last, be aware that graduate admissions is extremely complicated in the US. You can have a perfect GRE, excellent GRE scores, and still not get into a specific program.</p>
<p>Is there a lot of weightage for the TOEFL exam? Or is it mostly an obligation one has to fulfill?
And does it matter where or how you have worked?</p>
<p>Yes, TOEFL is considered important because you have to file all assignments in English and ultimately write a long, complex thesis/dissertation. Also, if you’re going to be funded by a teaching assistantship, they need to know that you have the ability to use the language with students you’re teaching.</p>
<p>Work and professional experience is definitely considered.</p>
<p>Hey, how much does Analytical Writing Matter for a Computer Science or an Engineering Masters? Mine didn’t really go that well. So I’m wondering if I will score a 4.0 or not. Will it be a massive hinderance into getting into any of the colleges I mentioned above?</p>
<p>Ohh, i finally got it. I got a 5.5 which was well, unexpected to say the least. I was wondering what kinda profiles will you exactly need for all the great colleges?</p>
<p>Again, there’s no such thing as a “profile” for graduate school. Admissions are highly individualized and depend much more on your specific research interests and goals than on a bunch of numbers.</p>
<p>Indeed I will…
Well the thing is, a first class in my University is a 60%+ which not a lot of students get due to the disparity of education quality present here. In my college though, theres going to be quite a few of them. Though I am sure I stand in the top 25%. Does academics really matter that highly?</p>