<p>I have a CS degree from a middle ground State University (Ranked around 50th usnews). I worked nearly full time through my undergraduate career, to support myself and pay for school. I was self employed during this time and still am. </p>
<p>Upon graduation I had a decent gpa of 2.86, lower than many but also higher than many of my colleagues. Average graduating gpa at my school seems to be around 2.8. My sub 3.0 gpa is likely due to a low grade I got in Linear Algebra. If I retook LA and got a Am id be above 3.0 at 3.020. I went away to school, and am back home now. So I really could not retake the class at the university I graduated from. It would have to be from a local school?</p>
<p>I haven't taken the GRE yet, but plan to in a few months after some self studying. I figure id get a decent score on it. </p>
<p>I am interested in a M.S degree likely in Information assurance. I enjoy computer forensics and have been dabbling in it for a while now. I likely know most of what is taught in such a program already via it being a hobby, but most employers or clients want a M.S degree in the least. </p>
<p>What do you guys think my chances are? I am very interested.</p>
<p>The Top-10 CS grad programs will give you a hard time and you may need work experience first but from #11 to #20, you can get in as “conditional” admission. All you would have to do is ace the first 3 courses as a non-degree student and you should get in.</p>
<p>The thing with undergrad GPA and GRE is that they are used to measure IF you can do grad work. ACTUALLY DOING WELL IN GRADUATE COURSES IS THE BEST WAY TO PROVE THAT YOU CAN DO GRAD WORK!</p>
<p>My work from then to now has been mostly computer repair work. I have been self employed, I have that entrepreneurial mindset where I really care not to work for others. I am a bit worried that since I was self employed, admission committees wont take me seriously. Most others I have experienced have already thought my job was a joke, even though I likely made more than they did. </p>
<p>I generally like academia, which I why id like to go back. Given the state of the PC repair market, I simply don’t see it as a viable long career given the low price of parts and computers in general. I have many clients simply preferring to buy a brand new pc when they get a virus simply because its cheaper than having one removed or having a OS reinstalled.</p>