Is 3.7+ gpa adequate to get into a top 50 CS school?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>I'm Junior majoring in computer science. The computer science program of my university is not a famous one. I just got my grade for fall 2009 yesterday and some classes were really screwed up... then it turned out I will never get a 3.8+ gpa by spring semester 2010 after which I should apply for grad school. </p>

<p>I think after spring semester I may get an overall gpa as well as a major gpa around 3.76. I have some research experience, some volunteering experience, maybe some internship by next summer (not sure yet). I know it's next to impossible for me to get into a top 15 school. What are the chances of getting into CS school ranked 20 to 50? </p>

<p>Thanks for your replies!</p>

2

<p>I have also spent one summer at Berkeley, if that will help.</p>

3

<p>I am not in CS so I cant say much that is specific to that, but there are things that are more important than GPA, or that can at least make up for a poor GPA (a 3.76 is not poor). Research experience is extremely important and so are letters of recommendations. You have a good GPA so if you do well on the GRE you shouldn’t have to worry about that. Just get more research experience. I obviously do not know what your volunteering experience is but my guess is that it is useless as far as grad school is concerned.</p>

4

<p>yeah, my volunteering experience is just some community service. I will put that on my resume if there is space… I’m currently looking at schools like

  1. purdue
  2. USC
  3. Pennsylvania State University–University Park
  4. University of Virginia
  5. New York University
  6. University of California–Irvine
  7. University of California–Davis
  8. Indiana University–Bloomington
  9. University of Pittsburgh
  10. Michigan State University
    I’m really scared because a lot CS programs say the average gpa of the students they admitted is over 3.8…</p>
5

<p>I agree…don’t sweat the GPA…focus on the other things you can do to make your app strong.</p>

6

<p>I guess an outstanding gpa wont help you much…</p>

7

<p>…but an average GPA also wont hurt you too much.</p>

8

<p>The GPA thing, I think, really depends on where (which school that is) you get it, and from what courses.</p>

9

<p>Don’t worry about your GPA all too much.</p>

<p>I know people who got into CMU, USC, and UCI with a 3.0 - 3.1 GPA and 1200+ GRE</p>

10

<p>but seriously, you don’t have to worry that much. I know some one from my school who’s doing a PhD now at Indiana University with a 3.2 undergrad GPA (CS major with a minor in EE). So, don’t fret on it.</p>

11

<p>First, a 3.7+ GPA, particularly in the sciences, is strong, not weak. As ccpsux pointed out, you’ll need a high GPA if you are coming from a lesser known school, but a 3.7 should be sufficient as long as it is accompanied with great letters of recommendation and research. Really, what you need to focus on now is developing relationships with your professors, coming up with another pertinent summer research opportunity, and narrowing your interests in the field so you know what aspect of CS you want to study.</p>

<p>If your only knowledge of admissions comes from applying to undergraduate colleges, where the only way to get into, say, Harvard, is to get close to a 4.0 GPA and mortgage your life to tons of ECs, you may be surprised by who gets into top graduate schools. A student with a 3.3 GPA and tons of research will likely have the edge over a 3.8 without any. A 3.3 student at a lesser known LAC who impresses several faculty members in his department may beat out a 3.8 Ivy student who remains largely anonymous in his.</p>

<p>Talk to your professors about your ambitions. Ask their advice about improving your profile. Find out if others in your department have done on to top graduate schools, and, if so, where. Although CC is a wonderful resource, your professors’ advice will be much more relevant to your specific case.</p>