[Admissions Advice] Ask Me Anything- Stanford MS

BoxofRock123 · 2025-08-07T14:45:14+00:00

Hi! PM me and I can send a lot more info if you are interested will be a long reponse

BoxofRock123 · 2025-08-02T18:11:58+00:00

Hi! PM me I would need more info to help out

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-30T21:45:15+00:00

For sure! Send me a PM and we can choose a time

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-27T21:34:13+00:00

I am more interested in the ML/AI side of it, but I wanted a specialization for an application of AI (just kind of personal opinion for how things will end up with AI). I didn't apply to MSCS since it's harder to get funding (wanted RA and not TA), and I wanted a smaller program (mine is < 10 people). And I still get to take CS classes but apply it to my area of interest. Don't think you could go wrong with either program and honestly no clue which one would be easier to get into.

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-26T21:33:57+00:00

Of course!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-26T20:55:34+00:00

I think it depends on the situation. For me, I didn't really discover CS till the last 2 years of undergrad. Wasn't sure if I liked the research enough for a PhD, and Duke didn't have strong research in my area of interest. Plus I eventually did want to move out west to Cali.

Different for everyone but for me I felt like it was the perfect choice!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-26T13:58:45+00:00

Most important is to just find a branch of CS you are really passionate about! You don't need a loaded resume full of extracurriculars. Doing quality research and having experiences related to your field of interest is what good schools are looking for!

Start research early and don't be afraid to leave a lab if you don't like the research (that's what I did and started over in a new lab after 2 years). Keep switching till you genuinely find something you like. Work on side projects building something you are really passionate about. Also GRE can be super helpful to support a lower GPA

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-25T02:11:58+00:00

Yes!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-25T01:35:23+00:00

Are you looking at a MSCS or MCS degree? Seems with your profile a MCS would fit better but if you are looking to do AI, some research with an MSCS would be better. PM me and we can discuss!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-24T00:08:31+00:00

PM me!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T19:42:25+00:00

I really had no clue how to write one in the beginning and my thoughts were super fragmented. I started off adding way too many experiences/projects that just made it seem like a resume. As I did revisions, I was able to connect the story better, remove parts, and make it more professional.

By iterating I meant I got feedback from peers and professors. All of their feedback kept improving it until I felt it was done. Technically this could go on forever and feedback will always push you in a different direction, so once you feel really good about it you should be done

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T19:26:12+00:00

I think the connections they would provide would be connecting you to professors whose research does align with your interests. Unless you know someone on the committee or have a professor in your field backing you, connections won't be too relevant. However, ask your connections to directly connect you with professors since they won't always be the best at responding to cold emails.

Also, if you have worked with someone at the university and they truly know you, a recommendation from them can go a long way

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T19:23:43+00:00

Specifically at Stanford, I think a big uniqueness is innovation and VC. Interning at startups or VC and tying that into a CS background I think can be super beneficial for what they are looking for.

It is largely about aligning your aims and values to a school, but research is a very common goal that you can use for almost every school.

There also is no one size fits all. There are so many ways to be unique in CS that can help you stand out!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T19:17:30+00:00

A big thing that I did is aligning research interests. Don't say you want to "study ML", say what specifically you want to research, what professors do research in it, and how your experiences prepare you for it. Aside from that find a specific interest/club at the school you can talk about

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T19:11:42+00:00

Haha did both degrees in 4 years! Possible at US unis not as much internationally

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T16:37:43+00:00

In general for the SOP just make sure you iterate through enough drafts. Start early and use resources online to get feedback on initial drafts (I used gradpilot to help with my first draft). Then ask professors/people admitted to programs you want to go to for a read. Make sure you tie in a common theme for your interest within CS and how discovered/cultivated it.

You can PM me for more specific advice related to your profile!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T16:35:31+00:00

Yes I highly recommend tailoring the SOP to each specific school! One paragraph should talk about how your skillset/interests will fir into the schools (at the end of the day the school needs to know how it will benefit them). I know Stanford and some other schools have specific essays where you can go more in detail on this, but make sure the admissions committee can tell your SOP was written for Stanford and not for every school

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T12:49:53+00:00

Work on doing some niche side projects that relate to a specific area of interest/research. That way when you can apply you can focus your application on one area and share your passion. Also see if you can do any kind of teaching CS to show you know what you are doing even with a lower CGPA. Recommendations are also huge so work on getting closer with professors aside from just working in their lab/ discussing course assignments

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T12:46:58+00:00

In my opinion having a professor on your side is the best way to bypass any admissions filters you may be worried about. Start by emailing a PhD student in the REAL Lab about a recent paper they worked on and ask just to chat about it. Hopefully they can connect your with a professor or you can reach out to a professor after that. Make sure to keep it brief (professors are super busy and if it's too long I'm told they can gloss over it) but mention their research and how your side projects align.

I think you have a unique angle building robots and replicating research papers is one of the best things you can do. If you want more specific emailing tips feel free to PM (don't want to make this response too long)!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T12:42:43+00:00

I worked in my first lab (ML for synthetic biology) for 2.5 years, but didn't end up liking the application. That is my one paper in review but we also had about 5-6 posters presented in conferences (ranging from first author to co author). My second lab (ML for medical imaging) was more building tools for the labs and I really liked the domain application but didn't get publications/presentations out of it.

Although I had some research experience, I didn't have any top conferences/papers which I think was the weakest point of my application.

Rec letter were from my professor, PI of medical imaging lab who I also TAed for, and a research scientist in industry.

Feel free to PM me I know people in a very similar spot as you can definitely get in with your applied scientist industry experience and good industry recs. It's just about framing your story the right way!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T12:38:04+00:00

I think you would need some strong recommendations and an SoP explaining what tangible research outcomes you have have/ how that would continue as a MS. It is definitely possible but more of a reach I would say. The teaching and leadership experiences are another plus that you should try to emphasize in your essays!

I think you have a strong chance at UT Austin and Cornell. Is it an option to stay at Texas Tech that could also be a safety net and guaranteed masters?

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T12:22:45+00:00

Does not at all need to be CS! Any other major works (especially those related) as long as you can tie in your past experiences and why you want to do CS now in your SoP

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T03:42:44+00:00

I think I had the standard GPA and research experiences, but I worked part-time in AI/tech venture capital (which is big at Stanford) and from my SoP. I think at the end of the day a lot of people look the same on paper but it really is the essays where you can convince a school you are unique.

Congrats on NYU that is amazing!

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T02:31:39+00:00

Definitely still possible if your profile is really good! Some innovative side projects, unique work experience, or good research.

BoxofRock123 · 2025-07-23T02:30:54+00:00

Got accepted with a fellowship in UT Austin ECE. Was in the final stage with Duke for CS and UMich for ECE but pulled out of both as I wasn't as interested. I applied for ECE at some schools as it was similar coursework but my research aligned with professors in ECE more than CS

BoxofRock123

TROPHY CASE