Operations Research and Computer Science graduate programs

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>Hi everyone. I am a junior at Duke University double majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics (and maybe minoring in Economics), and I am looking into Operations Research and Computer Science (leaning towards Operations Research) Masters and PhD programs.</p>

<p>I have a 3.81 overall GPA, a 4.0 in Computer Science which is my primary major and a 3.6 in Math. I have a conference paper published in CS Education, have been working on math research and will probably have a paper published in that this year, and I am writing my senior thesis in the Computer Science department in the field of Computational Microeconomics (game theory and algorithms), which will likely also lead to publication. I have other shorter research experiences in statistics and the business school which did not lead to publications. I interned at Microsoft last summer and am interning again next summer as a Software Development Engineer in Test. I got a 35 on the ACT in high school but have not yet taken the GRE. I am a white female from Georgia.</p>

<p>I am interested in applying to Stanford, Harvard and other top schools. Can someone tell me if this is realistic for me? What would be good reaches, targets and safeties? What can I do to improve my chances? I have not yet taken a graduate class but plan to take my first during the Spring of my junior year. I am not sure if I will apply for Masters or PhD. Also, any advice about specific programs would also be helpful! Thank you!</p>

2

<p>We can’t really “chance” you for graduate school. Too much of your chances hinge on elements that we don’t know. Exactly how strong is your undergraduate research? What will your professors say about you in their letters of recommendation? (One of the strongest students they have met in their career? One of the best students in your year? Above-average but not outstanding?) </p>

<p>It’s good that you have a strong background in math, but not ideal that math appears to be your “weaker” subject. </p>

<p>Have you talked to your professors? What do they think?</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your response. Letters of recommendation will be very strong (either one of the strongest students they have met in their career, or in the year). My professors think I am a good candidate for those schools but I just wanted to get outside opinions. Undergraduate research is strong- the CS education research led to a published paper and 2 posters, the math research will likely lead to a paper, and the computational microeconomics professor will be strong research starts in the Spring.</p>

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<p>Your professors will be the best judges of what schools you can realistically expect to get into. It is very discipline specific. The GRE will also be important so take it soon and prepare for it.</p>