<p>My SO got into a PhD program here at UIUC, and I've been brainstorming what I want to do post graduation. I want to stay here on campus with her for a few years, so first option is finding a job in the area. If that doesn't work out though, getting an MS in CS came up as another option. </p>
<p>This is the first time I've considered getting a Masters so I don't know much about it. My impression of MS programs, from all the spammy emails I get, is that most are cash cows so they're easier to get into vs applying for a PhD. Is this true? Assuming I pass the minimum requirements, how selective are they?</p>
<p>So your title isn’t really the question. It is how hard is it to get into UIUC, a top program, for MS CS They do have a Professional degree program that is likely easier to get into (your cash cow.) I expect UIUC for regular Masters in CS will be quite selective. They report that average gpa is 3.7, although the minimum recommended is .3.2 for masters. There are some reports in thegradcafe of rejections from students with research and pubs. Talk to your profs since you are right there and that will get you better idea I’m sure.</p>
<p>Thanks, that was a lot of help. More difficult than I thought. I asked about Masters programs in general though, because I genuinely would like to know how selective they are compared to PhD and undergrad admissions. I only added specifics just in case. I’ll probably talk more to my PI about it after break. Just didn’t want to disturb his week with such a general question.</p>
<p>I would say unfunded masters are MUCH easier to get into than PhD program. Some funded masters programs may be slightly harder to get in than PhD</p>
<p>First of all, I have to say that if your sole reason for considering an MS in the field is just to have something to do while your SO pursues a PhD at UIUC, don’t do it. You’ll save more money being unemployed than you will attending a program that you don’t need. I’m going forward with the assumption that computer science is a field that you are actually interested in and have a coursework background in, and that you want the MS for other reasons besides keeping yourself busy while your SO finishes up.</p>
<p>I think people maybe misunderstand “cash cows.” A cash cow program simply means that a program is intended to generate a lot of revenue for a university, and therefore comes with very little funding attached to it. It doesn’t mean that the program is easy to get into, or that the program is not useful for your career, or that the program is not academically and professionally a good and well-reputed program. Computer science at UIUC is a top 5 program, and getting into their MS program might be more difficult than getting into certain low-ranked PhD programs. It all depends on context - there’s no blanket rule.</p>
<p>If there’s no information about selectivity on the website, then it’s probably not something the program publicizes. UIUC also has a professional master’s in CS that seems to be less competitive/selective.</p>
<p>Thanks again everyone for all your help. But yes I’m going for the unfunded program.</p>
<p>Juillet: It’s definitely not to just use up time. I’m currently doing Math with CS, but want to switch my research focus to AI and algorithmic game theory. So I want to do the MS not only to strengthen my CS knowledge, but to see if I can get some further research on campus during that time. I’m also going to be applying for PhD, but given the status of UIUC, it’s far from guaranteed.</p>
<p>As far as funding, I didn’t incur any debt during undergrad, and have some money saved up, so funding shouldn’t be a problem. And quite honestly, I’ve been apart from her for 4 years already, and can’t really fathom living away from her for another 5.</p>
Don’t want to detour the original topic but thanks for this - My Master’s was an HYP “Cash Cow” (I only learned this term after graduation). I learned tons and the degree opened doors like crazy; I got a great job/career because of it and it irks me that some might have pejorative feelings about my program and others like it.</p>
<p>I’d like to point out that unless you are a top accepted student, most M.S. programs are cash cows. There’s very little funding for master’s students and, as one of my professors I work with said, “Universities make a lot of their money by screwing the master’s students.” If you’re not 100% sure you want an M.S., I’d suggest taking a year off and working in the area to see if you’d really like to continue on with your education. The bill you’d have to foot isn’t worth staying around if it’s not something you’re sure you want to do.</p>