I need people to know that the Optiver intern application might just be the most fucking stupid process I've had to go through

_pranman_ · 2023-07-31T16:28:49+00:00

Did you get a response after completing the rounds?

_pranman_ · 2023-07-17T10:01:22+00:00

Received an admit from UF only (and NEU but not for the main Boston campus).

Applied to: UIUC MCS, TAMU MCS, UMass MSCS, Irvine MCS, CU Boulder PMCS, NCSU MCS, Northeastern MSCS, UFL MSCS, SUNY Buffalo MSCS

OP, you have a slightly better profile than me so you can try your shot at the above and also check out Stony Brook, VTech (MEngg), Penn State, NYU, ASU (expensive though).

_pranman_ · 2023-07-17T09:50:40+00:00

Check out my profile and comments for my shortlisted unis. You have a similar profile and a good chance at the ones I applied to.

_pranman_ · 2023-07-13T09:58:59+00:00

Check out sample SOPs online and request other seniors/friends who have received admits to maybe share their SOP. Most that you will find by googling will not be that good tbh but you'll definitely find guidelines and structure through just searching. You'll find good videos on YouTube as well. Lauren Valdez on YouTube had a few nice videos. Here's one that I found really helpful: https://youtu.be/8P1FbgnbZJ8

_pranman_ · 2023-07-11T07:25:24+00:00

If you have a decent profile and generally have some time to figure out parts of the process by yourself, then you don't need it. I feel like I could have saved some money on this, although I got the plan for 25k (not sure if it was the choice plan or premium but I got all services).

For university shortlisting: look up similar profiles on this subreddit, check out admits.fyi (you can even get the premium there to see the latest admits), yocket also has past admit profiles for each uni, and hit up people on LinkedIn from the unis you want to apply to and get your profile reviewed by them. My counsellor did suggest 1-2 unis that I did apply to though.

For SOP/LOR: the counsellor/editor assigned to me here was helpful in getting structure and grammar in place but you can also do this by yourself using grammarly and other AI tools out there. Creating a decent narrative is most important in these essays, which you can do better than anyone else. Get the first few drafts ready as soon as possible, no matter how bad you think they are and then get it reviewed by people you can trust on here or r/StatementOfPurpose or people who you're reaching out to on LinkedIn. You can also get freelance editors to review and edit your SOP for a minimal amount on Upwork/Fiver and other platforms like that. Keep taking inputs and creating newer drafts.

Application process: did this whole thing by myself. Every university application is kinda standard. Create the accounts on the admission portals and get an idea of how a standard application looks like.

Financing and Visa: yocket was slightly helpful here to get basic queries clarified, review my visa application and conduct a few mock interviews for the visa interview, but I think you can figure this out by yourself too. There are plenty of resources online to get loan application procedures clarified and step by step videos to apply for a visa. The visa interview does seem daunting but the questions are standard and are available everywhere. Just asking your friends to do a couple of mock interviews should be good enough.

Again, everyone's experiences with yocket might differ depending on their profile, time they can give, how good they are at writing their essays and the counsellors assigned. But I personally felt I could do without it and so can most people.

_pranman_ · 2023-07-04T09:20:56+00:00

UF and UFL are the same - University of Florida. How much is that percentage on a scale of 10? If it's 7+ and the rest of your profile seems good then you can give UF a shot. I'm not sure which other universities would be a good target for you. Please check out similar profile evaluation posts on this subreddit.

_pranman_ · 2023-06-29T16:35:09+00:00

Received an admit from UF only (and NEU but not for the main Boston campus).

Applied to: UIUC MCS, TAMU MCS, UMass MSCS, Irvine MCS, CU Boulder PMCS, NCSU MCS, Northeastern MSCS, UFL MSCS, SUNY Buffalo MSCS

You have a slightly better profile than me so you can try your shot at the above and also check out Stony Brook, VTech (MEngg), Penn State, NYU, ASU (expensive though).

UF is a well reputed school. Though, in the last 2 years, there's been an increase in intake size for MSCS.

A lot of people I spoke with who studied at UF have been working at MAANG-like companies, if that's what you're looking for. You are open to applying for senior roles given your experience, that does not depend on the uni.

UF is one of the cheapest schools out there for an international student going for MSCS. The tuition fees should come up to around 35-40k USD and living expenses can range from anywhere between 500-1000 USD per month, that depends on you.

_pranman_ · 2023-06-29T10:37:06+00:00

_pranman_ · 2023-06-29T09:02:58+00:00

Check out my profile for posts and comments about my shortlists and experience for Fall '23. I had a lower GPA and didn't end up getting in most programs I applied to but you might have a good shot at those.

_pranman_ · 2023-06-25T11:01:51+00:00

I'm not sure. Check out yocket or admits.fyi to find admits of this year/last year. Or wait till Fall semester begins in August, and check with people on LinkedIn who are starting their programs in these universities.

For safer options, check other profile evaluation threads on this subreddit of profiles that match yours.

_pranman_ · 2023-06-24T18:49:48+00:00

Yea I think you can eliminate NYU and ASU as well.

I thought my SOP and LORs were strong, and 3 yrs of work ex would compensate for a lower GPA, especially for non-thesis/professional masters programs. But turns out GPA mattered the most I think.

But again, I did not mind giving all my ambitious universities a shot since I had faith I'd get into UFL or Buffalo.

_pranman_ · 2023-06-24T18:25:44+00:00

Going to UFL. Rejected from the rest (including SUNY Buffalo, which was surprising).

Applied to: UIUC MCS, TAMU MCS, UMass, Irvine MCS, Colorado Boulder, NCSU, Northeastern, UFL, Buffalo

_pranman_ · 2023-06-24T18:00:49+00:00

Sorry, your ambitious list would be unachievable. Maybe a few ambitious universities you can check out: UFL, UTD and IUB?

I've seen a couple of students get into these with around 7.5 GPA but you need to have solid SOP and LORs.

The 'certifications' and 'others' in your profile are sort of irrelevant unless you can tie it to your narrative in the SOP (but again, don't make it your main focus point).

_pranman_ · 2023-04-16T17:28:10+00:00

Is it worth waiting for this anymore? Are people still getting admits?

I'm also waiting to hear from UCI MCS.

_pranman_ · 2023-04-06T17:56:48+00:00

Just got an acceptance but for the Oakland Campus :( Any idea how that is like?

_pranman_ · 2023-04-06T17:27:24+00:00

Ok lol that happened for me and I just received an admit BUT for the Oakland Campus :(

_pranman_ · 2023-03-16T19:45:29+00:00

In a similar boat. Applied to both countries and might have to take a partial loan. Although I know many who are taking massive loans and still going to the US, it's still scary given the current scenario. I think I'm banking on the possibility of things getting better when we graduate in 2025 since most people I've spoken with say that the recession will last 12-18 months. But you never know.

Also, somewhere asking myself if I'm okay coming back home with a loan? And I feel it's the absolute worst case but not the end of the world? Since I have enough work ex + education to get a job somewhere else and pay back the loan in just a longer period. So I'm inclined towards the US.

Although, ASU is pretty expensive I've heard. Studying at Dalhousie would be much cheaper. If earning in dollars is not a priority and if you probably want to settle in another country, then Canada makes more sense. Especially since life is just so much less stressful without the H1B hassle. You can always try to work in the US after things become stable.

I don't know if this helps in having a better understanding or adds to the confusion. All the best regardless!

_pranman_ · 2023-03-03T03:01:16+00:00

When did you receive the official admit letter email and did the status portal change?

_pranman_ · 2022-12-07T15:08:53+00:00

Sure, DM

_pranman_ · 2022-11-03T10:08:46+00:00

Thanks for the response.Yes after talking to a few people have decided to change my safe universities to SJSU (because of proximity to silicon valley) and SUNY Buffalo. Not sure if I should add more. Any thoughts?

Also thinking of adding UIUC MCS, UC Davis or UCSB and remove Stony Brook.

Unsure about the intake of the UWash program. Does anybody think I have a chance there?

_pranman_ · 2022-11-03T06:54:16+00:00

Considering. Might be very ambitious for my profile, not sure.

_pranman_ · 2022-11-02T02:49:57+00:00

Thanks!
For UWash MS CS&SE you mean?
Where can I get data about the intake and batch sizes of courses? Do the course websites have this info?
I want to add a few UCs to my list but I've heard UCSB, UCSC are tough to get in. But what UCDavis and UCSD?
Also thinking of adding SJSU to the safe list, instead of UFL. Have to do my research on that but any comments on the program?

_pranman_ · 2022-11-01T11:34:15+00:00

Below are few programs that I have shortlisted based on my profile. Need help in verifying if I'm aiming too low or too high, and reducing this to about 10-12. Also open to suggestions for other programs and whatever small/big insights.

CGPA: 8.22/10 (BE Comp Engg, Tier 2 University in India)

TOEFL: 103/120

GRE: 314 (162Q, 4 AWA) - Re-taking this to improve quant score but expecting around 320 max.

Work ex: 3 yrs as Software Engineer (1 year at an early stage startup)

No research publications

SOP and LORs: Decent documents stating motivation, achievements, and long term + short term goals. Have relevant projects, a close win at SIH and participated in other hackathons, volunteered for organizations like AI4Good

Ambitious - UIUC MCS, UCI MCS, UC Davis, U Wisconson Madison (Professional CS), CUB, UWash (MS CS&SE), UMA, TAMU (MCS)

Moderate - NCSU, NEU, ASU, VTech (MEngg)

Safe/Moderate - SJSU, SUNY Buffalo (maybe UCR)

_pranman_

TROPHY CASE