<p>I major in computer science in a US school and intend to apply for PhD in computer science this year. Suppose I get a full ride fellowship, how will this help my admission chance? I heard that at relatively less-funded schools this will be a big plus, but how about top schools which have sufficient fund (such as MIT, Stanford, etc.)?</p>
<p>
My experience in math is that the well-funded private programs don’t distinguish between applicants with or without external funding, but less funded programs (including top-ranked publics like Berkeley) do.</p>
<p>By the time you found out about the fellowship, you would’ve already found out about your application. I also think that students who can win a fellowship big enough to make a difference (like NSF or NDSEG) would have an easier time gaining admission to top schools.</p>
<p>I have heard that a fellowship can change a rejection into an acceptance, but only at places where you were already considered a good fit and there wasn’t enough funding to go around. Programs also have to consider what to do with you by the time your 3-year funding runs out (although by that time you could probably get a GRA through a lab).</p>
<p>The other thing to consider is that if you’re externally funded then it will be easier to get your pick of labs at a school you’re already accepted.</p>