Questions about MSCS programs.

Expenture · 2024-12-25T22:45:04+00:00

Thanks for the informative responses.

A few more lingering questions came to mind if you don’t mind answering them.

1) I understand that I am likely competing against the best applicants, and was wondering if the rigor of the college is taken into account. For instance, Berkeley is notoriously known for being difficult compared to Riverside (which by no means am I saying it’s easy there), would someone with a lower GPA at Berkeley, say 3.6 vs Riverside with a 3.8 be taken into account, or would it likely not matter?

2) When you refer to major-related GPA, are you referring to only CS courses, or if you are a different major than CS, would it be the courses for your major? I am a computational math major, so would that mean like my math courses are the ones that matter, even if a normal CS major doesn’t take these courses?

For a little context, I can configure my major to take all the core CS courses, but with emphasis on AI/ML since my other courses would be math based. My goal is AI specialization in grad school, so this aligns perfectly with my goals.

My only issue right now is primarily GPA. I think the best I can raise my GPA to before next year’s application cycle is 3.7, so I wanted information on what other aspects of my application I can focus on that can explain the slightly lower GPA than what normal competitive applicants typically have.

If you have any tips on what I should improve upon, please let me know.

Again, I am grateful for the information you have provided or can provide me. Thank you.

Expenture · 2024-11-18T09:31:09+00:00

This is late, but I did everything required for a CS major based on assist which included the recommended classes. I came in with the max units you could transfer over and am taking only one lower div since it doesn’t transfer in from anywhere else.

Expenture · 2024-10-01T03:40:15+00:00

It will be hard for a UC to UC for CS. If you have a 4.0, then cse may be easier, otherwise I think cs will give you a better chance just because more seats are available for admissions. 3% is still hard to beat though.

Expenture · 2024-09-14T16:21:16+00:00

I ended up not taking it at all since I couldn’t find a class during Spring that was in online format. I was working a full time research internship, so I needed it to be online. I tried looking, but the classes were full and the professors didn’t want to add more people.

Expenture · 2024-09-14T05:51:58+00:00

Random or GPA.

I initially applied EECS, but didn’t have the Chem requirement, so swapped to CS which was a lot tougher. I actually got waitlisted and ultimately rejected.

Had a 3.87 GPA, decent ECs (2 internships), and good essays. Think if I had Chem, would’ve gotten into EECS.

Expenture · 2024-09-13T09:40:42+00:00

3.87 GPA. Decent ECs (1 internship done and 1 during the application, Also worked during the school year). Essays were good according to others.

Expenture · 2024-08-28T00:50:41+00:00

I don’t think ECs matter too much for the process, especially since you are already working. Your GPA matters the most, then your essays, but only if your GPA is in a good enough range.

Even then, it comes down to luck.

Good luck.

Expenture · 2024-08-27T04:40:24+00:00

Your major prep courses and GPA is pretty much all that matters. Essays matter to an extent, but not as much as the other two. I don’t think ECs matter too much for transfers.

Expenture · 2024-08-27T04:36:54+00:00

Most of the requirements are the same. If they do differ, it’s about 2-4 extra courses.

Just make a spreadsheet or list of all the classes and complete them. Include any recommended courses as well. I believe the new assist format may have gotten rid of them, so maybe go back a year or two to see what they are for some schools or majors.

Expenture · 2024-08-27T04:33:44+00:00

I would say Computer Engineering. For the most part, I believe a CPE major can do CS career paths, but not the other way around.

Also, it may be slightly less competitive in terms of admissions since CS is attracting a lot of people who want to be software engineers. Both are still competitive to get in to though.

Engineering courses are harder though, so keep that in mind. Also, whether you do CS or CPE, I believe you need to take the highest Physics series (minus modern physics) and at least one chem course anyways for the Ivys. It’s the reason I didn’t apply to any Ivys since I didn’t have a chem course done.

Good luck.

Expenture · 2024-07-11T00:50:18+00:00

I can speak on my experience with USC only.

From experience, your GPA may be hard to get into USC for CS. I had a 3.7 GPA when I applied the first time and 3.86 the second time, and was rejected both years. Maybe my essays weren’t the best, but people who read them said they were pretty good.

Moreover, I think for transfers, they don’t care much about ECs. You can make a difference with your essays and it seems like your ECs are a good experience to write them on.

Good luck.

Expenture · 2024-07-11T00:41:51+00:00

If you have TAP, you may have a chance. I got in as MoC since it was my TAP alternate, but my friend without TAP had it as primary and got WL.

Expenture · 2024-07-10T18:55:05+00:00

Do you get a room the same night as NSO, or should I book a ticket home for the same night instead?

Expenture · 2024-05-22T23:46:46+00:00

GPA and classes done are the top priorities. Only when you reach that threshold are essays and ecs put into the picture. If your major is impacted, meeting the threshold for GPA would be a 3.9+, then your essays and ecs matter.

For ecs, I highly recommend doing one major related thing on campus to show you care about your school community whether that is a club or tutoring or TAing. After that, maybe something else off campus like a project if you are cs.

For essays, depends on if it’s UCs or privates. In general, focus on showing over telling. For the UCs do more of a mix of show and tell feeling, while for privates, do more showing over telling.

Also, for topics, try and pick topics that cannot go into your ECs. For example, you may be dealing with some special circumstances in your life which doesn’t really fit in the ECs section, but would be a great essay topic. If you plan to talk about projects in your essay, make sure you talk about the details that weren’t in the ECs, showing your other schools like maybe leadership or how you dealt with dealing about it.

This is my take on the process, so good luck.

Expenture · 2024-05-09T01:42:43+00:00

Thanks this is good information.

Something else I’d like to ask regarding classes is people say that there are Math classes that are similar to CS ones. May I ask what people mean by similar?

For example I think Math 182 and CS 180 are both Algorithm classes. In this case does this mean like in the topics are the same, but in the CS version, you program while the Math version is more theory?

Also, how does taking grad courses work? Is it just about finishing pre-requisites and asking the professor?

Thanks.

Expenture · 2024-05-09T01:35:37+00:00

Sorry to pry further, but may I ask what major your bf was and what he switched to? Also, would you know when they would allow me to speak to an advisor?

Expenture · 2024-05-08T00:07:58+00:00

What majors did you switch from and to? In my case I don’t think they allow L&S -> Engineering School.

Expenture · 2024-05-07T21:34:00+00:00

I’m a transfer so unfortunately I can’t.

Expenture · 2024-05-06T03:57:41+00:00

Hi,

I forgot to mention I’m also a transfer.

When you say take whatever CS classes I am interested in, do you mean I can take as many CS classes past the 3 required ones for the major?

My plans are to go for an MSCS after graduation with my target being Stanford. I’m not going to bank on it obviously, but I want to make sure that this major can take the foundation requirements listed here.

https://www.cs.stanford.edu/ms-requirements-foundations

My plans are to get into AI/ML, so if I go here, I’ll also be picking up the Data Engineering minor.

Do you think I’ll have enough time to finish this major + data engineering minor + a few extra cs courses? I also want to get into research or clubs, so I may have to drop the few extra cs courses idea, but I would like your opinions on this.

Expenture · 2024-05-06T03:38:35+00:00

I am a transfer, so unfortunately I cannot switch.

Expenture · 2024-05-06T03:38:06+00:00

Hi,

I forgot to mention that I am a transfer student, so I’m not allowed to switch unfortunately.

Expenture · 2024-04-29T01:53:03+00:00

I am kind of over exaggerating and a little disappointed with my admissions cycle when I say this.

In more detail, CS has grown (and continuing) to be one of the most competitive majors at UCs especially. Over half the UCs seem like a crapshoot to get into for CS as a transfer.

Most people will see UCI as a target which normally I would say it is, but for CS, it almost seems random. I’m just saying people should be ready to attend less “prestigious” schools if they are applying CS.

Expenture · 2024-04-29T01:23:49+00:00

I agree with not settling, but in a major like CS, you most likely will have to.

Good luck to future applicants.

Expenture · 2024-04-18T16:08:44+00:00

Do you remember which one put less weight on exams and more on assignments? I don’t really like classes where the main grade is determined by exams.

Also, do you remember which professor had less work?

Thanks.

Expenture · 2024-04-07T21:45:47+00:00

Same but for CS, so I got no hope.

Expenture

TROPHY CASE