<p>Basically, I'm trying to go to Stanford for a MS in Computer Science. I just graduated with my BS this past Spring, but my GPA is really lacking...3.11 and from a state college. I really have no excuse explaining my low GPA, but my GPA only went up each semester after I pulled myself together during my 3rd year.</p>
<p>I have yet to take the GRE because I know I need to score high enough to make up for my low GPA. The math portion of the GRE isn't the problem for me, but rather the verbal part. Any advice for scoring higher on the verbal part would be greatly appreciated. =) And what kind of scores would I need to almost nullify my low GPA?</p>
<p>Besides my poor GPA and unknown GRE scores, I'm also working at Stanford as a research assistant in one of their labs. The professor supervising the lab and postdocs know I'm looking to applying to Stanford in the future because I told them during my job interview. Does working at Stanford increase my chances at all?</p>
<p>As far as letters of recommendations go, I have two professors from my previous school who will be more than willing to write me a letter of recommendation. I'm also working on a research project with one of those professors. For the third letter, I was hoping to ask either the professor or a postdoc from Stanford I'm working with.</p>
<p>I know Stanford is probably way out of my league, but it never hurts to try. Right? If my friend who graduated with me and with a lower GPA can get into the phd program at CMU, then I should have a chance at getting into the MS program at Stanford.</p>
<p>"Any advice for scoring higher on the verbal part would be greatly appreciated"</p>
<p>Memorizing all the high-frequency GRE words you can is probably the best thing to do. It's mostly a vocab test.</p>
<p>"And what kind of scores would I need to almost nullify my low GPA?"</p>
<p>A perfect GRE won't come close to nullifying a low GPA. The GRE is a simple and silly exam adcoms typically don't take very seriously. Try to get a verbal above 500 and a quant as close to 800 as possible, and no flags will be raised. GRE can usually only raise flags - it won't make up for other parts of your application.</p>
<p>"Does working at Stanford increase my chances at all?"</p>
<p>Only if you're doing a good job. If you're not, your chances will be heavily reduced.</p>
<p>Can you pay full freight? Masters at Stanford for certain engineering programs are seen as cash cows. Get decent Letters of recommendation and get to know the people in the CS department well. Your absolute best bet would be to take some CS classes at Stanford now and prove you can do well before applying. As stated by the above poster, GREs can never erase a poor GPA (and rightfully so...the GRE is a joke). Focus on other things.</p>
<p>Impress the hell out of your PI. His recommendation and any networking he can muster should at least help you to overcome any initial uncertainty about your GPA and take a closer look at your SOP and experience.</p>
<p>Also, how long have you been working at Stanford?</p>
<p>I started working at Stanford right after graduation (June). They posted an ad for a research assistant on my school's cs club website. I saw this as an opportunity to gain research experience and a possible opening into Stanford.</p>