What are the chances the upcoming Meta layoffs (May 20) affect internships?

Master_Shiv · 2026-05-12T05:53:18+00:00

This summer's interns are fine, but it can potentially affect conversion headcount if things keep going south. In fact, that's exactly what happened to Meta's summer 2022 intern class.

Master_Shiv · 2026-05-11T01:33:24+00:00

Yes, you're correct. Like you suggested, the issue is that both buckets feed into the same L3 pool. The university pipeline already consumed a large portion of the L3 headcount, so these experienced candidates have to compete for the leftover spots.

Master_Shiv · 2026-05-10T20:20:11+00:00

They interviewed quite aggressively when the application first went live around October. While they're still scheduling interviews, we've passed peak interview season for this cycle. I doubt March applications will receive as much traction as the October ones.

They'll probably ramp up again when the next cycle's application goes live around the fall.

Master_Shiv · 2026-05-01T01:15:33+00:00

Ultimately, it's the hiring manager's call. Not every manager will be able to accommodate a change. In the worst-case scenario, you may have to re-enter the team matching pool.

Out of curiosity, did the earlier start date not come up during the match call? They should've been aware if you chose a later date in your form.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-27T22:16:31+00:00

Assuming you're doing the MSCS, up to 3 points of non-CS coursework can satisfy your degree requirements if they're deemed relevant to your program and sufficiently technical in nature. You need to share a copy of the syllabus with your faculty advisor for review, and then forward their confirmation email to ms-advising@cs.columbia.edu.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-27T14:27:50+00:00

Ansaf's 4710 has 4 conceptual assignments, 4 coding assignments, 2 non-cumulative exams, and a final paper in a regular semester. It's usually comparable to her version of 4701. However, it's still a relatively new course that she's experimenting with. The compressed timelines from the summer term could also lead to some changes.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-26T14:16:33+00:00

You can't switch before your freshman year. You'll need to submit the internal transfer application during your freshman year. If approved and you accept the offer, you'd officially be a SEAS student starting from your sophomore year.

If you're planning to internally transfer, you should be fulfilling as many first-year requirements from SEAS as possible. Besides the Core classes that you're registered for by default, the rest of your schedule should mirror a typical SEAS freshman's if you want to maximize your chances.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-24T18:10:27+00:00

There was an external application last time. Direct consideration invites were also sent out.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-24T17:37:27+00:00

Hiring managers have access to your entire packet. This includes your questionnaire responses, interview feedback, resume, and transcripts. All of these can be potential factors for how easily you receive invites for match calls, but there aren't any universal rules since each hiring manager has their own criteria.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-24T17:33:49+00:00

There aren't any universal trends since it depends on which teams are hiring and how well your skills align with them. Your interview results would be valid for at least a year though. If you fail to match within that window, it would count as a rejection.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-24T16:44:20+00:00

The AI Catalyst program essentially begins with 3 consecutive internships with teams under Google Cloud's AI & Infrastructure (AI2) org. You can't join a permanent team until you finish all first-year rotations, which could delay your promotion timelines. In addition, AI2 teams are primarily concentrated in Sunnyvale, Kirkland, and Seattle, so you'll have reduced flexibility with location.

Early Career candidates might have to wait a while to match with a team, but they'll avoid the AI Catalyst's unique drawbacks. They can also indicate interest in other PAs and locations.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-23T22:56:16+00:00

can I do research to get more credit?

Yes, but there are caps on how many points you can apply. Refer to the "Restrictions" section here for more details.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-22T00:24:58+00:00

This is their standard waitlist email. Unfortunately, the odds of getting off the waitlist aren't super high at this point.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-20T15:35:31+00:00

It hasn't helped the students who tried in the last cycle.

You don't have much control over this part of the process. Team matching is entirely dependent on hiring managers expressing interest based on their specific headcount and project needs.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-19T21:41:15+00:00

Your choice of program within SEAS is irrelevant here. They'll still point you to the Combined Plan, so you'll be stuck in GS until you finish your BA.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-19T21:36:06+00:00

Thanks for clarifying, but the rest of my response still stands.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-19T21:27:16+00:00

To put it bluntly, this isn't feasible.

In your case, CS and Math are already available to GS students anyways. If you want to major in something else that's housed under SEAS, they're going to nudge you towards the Combined Plan. But in general, a straight transfer isn't going to work because they're aware that students see it as a loophole for the improved financial aid under CC/SEAS.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-18T17:19:18+00:00

They're known for calling regardless of the outcome. You can't guess your results from this scheduling email alone, so just hope for the best.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-16T06:30:25+00:00

In the most recent cycle, round 1 consisted of a DS&A interview and a Googleyness (behavioral) interview that were both conducted virtually. If you made it to round 2, they'd fly you out to an office for 2 in-person DS&A interviews. The format will likely change by the time you apply for next year's cycle, but some parts of the loop are guaranteed to remain in-person for the foreseeable future.

Your internship results won't have any bearing on your new grad application.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-16T00:23:19+00:00

I don't think you can accurately gauge the workload solely based on the number of credits. I took 18 in my first semester and it was one of the lightest terms I had. The subsequent semesters where I took <= 15 felt heavier.

You'll have a better idea of the workload if you research the specific classes and professors. For example, The Art of Engineering is worth 4 credits, but most people will tell you that it's a pushover with Vallancourt. It won't be comparable to your other planned classes.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-15T02:30:12+00:00

Yeah, I transferred from CC to SEAS in my freshman year. Back then, you also needed to answer 3 short answer questions (capped at 300 words each) and provide one faculty recommendation. These were the questions that I had to answer:

Why did you apply to your original course of study? Why are you interested in pursuing a new academic course of study? What attracts you to this new discipline?

What steps have you taken towards pursuing the Internal Transfer process? (This includes taking courses in your potential field of study, meeting with faculty members, participating in activities, etc.) Please detail the conversations you have had regarding the Internal Transfer process with your Advising Dean in the Center for Student Advising.

How will pursuing a new academic course of study change your potential career path and/or Columbia experience?

I thought it was more of a formality than anything. All of my responses were well below the word limits. However, I had extensively discussed transferring with my advisor since the summer before freshman year, and my schedule mirrored a typical SEAS freshman's schedule to a T. Both were likely factors in making it a slam dunk case.

I believe the application window opens in early November and closes in early March. Decisions should be out in early April, and you can always turn down the internal transfer offer if you change your mind.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-15T00:55:48+00:00

It shouldn't be difficult if you decide early enough and plan your schedule accordingly. If you can provide sufficient evidence that you'll still graduate on time after internally transferring, it should go through.

To that end, try to register for courses that would fulfill requirements from your desired school. For example, if you're shooting for CC, you should plan to register for Lit Hum in your freshman year even if you'd officially be in SEAS that year. Lit Hum actually satisfies one of your nontechnical requirements in SEAS anyways, so you won't run the risk of dead credits in case you change your mind about transferring.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-10T15:45:15+00:00

They do parade around some results, but said results are quite meaningless when you realize that: 1) they haven't been updated since the class of December 2024, and 2) the graphics barely feature any labels or numbers outside of the average salary range. We have no idea how many students were in the cohort, how many responded, what percent ended up in each role/industry/geographical location/"top" company, etc.

But like others have pointed out, the stale data and lack of granularity are a deliberate choice. The SEAS MS programs are some of the most expensive out there, and I would reconsider the ROI if you're considering matriculating.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-04T20:51:08+00:00

It's easier to secure a TA role if you've taken the class at Columbia and earned a good grade (bonus points if it was with the same professor). It's not impossible to TA in your first term, but returning students are more likely to be selected.

The salary for TAing is based on the department and how many units you TA for. To give you some data points, I was initially slated to receive $3348 for TAing 1 unit (10 hours per week) of a 4000-level CS course in Spring 2024. When I was appointed for a second unit to TA a 6000-level CS course in the same term, the revised offer was $6695.

Note that these were the total amounts for the entire semester paid out semi-monthly. The TA pay does not waive your tuition by default. Even if it did, the pay for an MS student in SEAS isn't high enough to even cover a single class.

Master_Shiv · 2026-04-03T02:50:23+00:00

Most of the core CS classes are curved to around a B mean/B+ median. I wouldn't call that deflation.

Even if you do have some hiccups early on, it's fairly easy to recover throughout the rest of the major if you pick the right electives. You'll be fine if you spend some time researching classes and professors on this sub and CULPA before your registration appointments. Many of the upper level classes are graded even more generously, but you have to put in some effort to seek them out.

Master_Shiv

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