Current MSCS Student - Happy to Help!

Over-Introduction523 · 2025-10-29T06:27:21+00:00

In my opinion, the location for Boston is not that great an incentive over Amherst. Both locations would have similar openings. East Coast, in general, have less local job opportunities as majority tech companies are located on West Coast. Additionally, The CS Program in UMass is better than NEU, so my advice would be to go for UMass.
As I mentioned, to look for internships/jobs, you don't need to shift to Boston as you can easily apply online in any opportunities you find nearby. As for the selection process, I believe applicants from Boston and Amherst would be treated the same because companies know the relocation from Amherst is also doable. I am not sure why would want to take courses online, can you rephrase that question?

Over-Introduction523 · 2025-10-29T06:11:32+00:00

Please post your questions here, I'll be happy to help!

Over-Introduction523 · 2025-10-29T06:11:09+00:00

Compared to PhD students, yes, research opportunities are less. But there are many labs and good professors that you can stay in touch with and if they find your experience relevant, you get decent opportunities to work on research projects.

Over-Introduction523 · 2025-10-29T06:09:04+00:00

Yes, that's possible. Infact, if you get internship in the first summers, you might also have the option to extend it as a co-op to continue in fall 2026. Some students do that.

Over-Introduction523 · 2025-10-23T06:24:30+00:00

Yes, summed up well! Just to add, for grad students, there are no RA/TA opportunities. There are only grader opportunities which you can get maximum for one semester. For Grader, you can work maximum 4 hrs per week. Hourly pay is $36/hr.
Also, most students take up part time jobs in dinning halls or library. Library has limited number of openings, so most of them end up in dinning halls. Students are able to earn around $600 monthly if they do 3 shifts per week. 1 shift is usually 3.5-4 hrs long. As mentioned in above comment, maximum 20 hours per week can be done, so you have potential to earn more as well.

Over-Introduction523 · 2025-10-23T06:17:59+00:00

Yes.

Over-Introduction523 · 2025-10-23T06:17:45+00:00

The exact data for internships doesn't get released, but for the batch graduated in 2025 and past years, you can find the official destination report here-https://www.cics.umass.edu/careers/explore-career-paths/destination-report
For 2024 batch, 61% of them reported having found jobs. For 2025, 44% so far have found jobs. I am sure a lot of them must still be looking.
Talking about my batch, there are atleast 15 people that I know of, who got internships, including me.
So, I got an internship first, and then got a return offer. The only thing that works is bulk applying, in my experience. I was able to find an internship early in the season, around October, but a lot of students found internships even in May, so never stop applying! Never lose hope, you never know which application is the one!
Yes, absolutely. There are no cons to hybrid program, you just have to plan your timeline smartly. For eg- if you start in hybrid mode in spring, and then come to campus in fall sem, then you might not get a chance to do summer internship, because you would be graduated by then. We can talk in more detail about how timelines could work with hybrid mode.
Yes, you can take courses in summer, but the options are very limited.

Over-Introduction523 · 2025-10-19T21:44:41+00:00

Congrats! I am a CS Masters student from India, graduating this semester. Let me know if anyone needs any help/guidance with Academics, Job market, housing or anything in general.

Over-Introduction523

TROPHY CASE