<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am currently an EECS (electrical engineering and computer sciences) undergraduate at UC Berkeley, planning to graduate in Fall 2013, focusing exclusively on computer science. I am very much interested in going to grad school, and in particular a PhD program in computer science. However, seeing as how to my current GPA is a little below 3.6, and given the fact that I have not been involved with much substantial research (I am a transfer student, so my first two years provided me with no such opportunities), I feel that I need to look into some fall back grad schools (relatively speaking, as my top choices are schools in the top 5 for computer science, such as Stanford, MIT, and CMU). </p>
<p>So what are some good safety schools to apply to that will still allow me to pursue a PhD degree in computer science? By the way, I am extremely interested in computer science, so I am looking for fall back schools that will provide me with something substantial in terms of my education, not just something that will give me a degree.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Ask your professors about this. They are your best source.</p>
<p>You should ask them if you would be best off to take a job as a research tech or to pursue an MS so that you can become a better prepared for a PhD program.</p>
<p>I’m not a huge fan of rankings, but here are the graduate CS rankings. USNews creates this based solely on “based solely on the results of surveys sent to academics”</p>
<p>[Best</a> Computer Science Programs | Top Computer Science Schools | US News Best Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings)</p>
<p>Can’t you do Berkeley’s 5 year program and get a Master’s? That would probably help you most and allow you to do some research. Without any kind of research experience you’ll have a very hard time getting into a higher ranked PhD program, but you may be able to get into a Master’s.</p>
<p>The other way it to take 1-2 years off and work in a research environment like a lab (academic or industry).</p>
<p>Ah, perhaps I can look into the 5 year master’s. I was always under the impression that it wasn’t for me just because I’ve heard it oriented for people seeking the computer industry as a profession, as opposed being interested in academic research. It can’t hurt to look into, and I will do just that! Thanks.</p>
<p>BeanTownGirl - I’ve been staring at those rankings for quite a while, but don’t really know how low (or high) I should go in looking at fall back schools. Any suggestions?</p>