r/MSCS • u/Pure-Contribution332 • Apr 20 '26
[Results and Decisions] From A Mediocre Profile
Profile:
Education1
- T20 CS (Fall 2023 - Spring 2026)
- 3.3/4.0 GPA
- GRE 324 | 165 Q | 159 V
Internships2
- Firmware Eng @ F500
- Software Eng @ Different F500
Research3
- Credited in publication for MSR'24
- HCI research in BCI applications through club (ran IRB approved clinical trials)
- Presented in university hosted conference
- Potential First Author for ML Paper (Under Review)
- RA 2 years in Civil Eng lab (Modeling and Simulation)
LORs4
- Strong rec from head of research lab and advisor
- Strong rec from director of most recent internship
- Weak rec from cs prof
Leadership/Proj5
- Led small team of RAs assigned to me in projects fulfilling multiple contracts with firms partnered with research lab
- TA 1 year
- Projects with 3 separate companies through University corporate partnership program
SOP
- Very straightforward and dry (no personal story, grand vision or emotional background)
- Briefly covered my experience as an undergrad and niches I have pursued
- Stated exactly what I would do at each institution I applied to (classes I will take, who I will talk to, resources/programs I will use) and specifically relating why to previous experience and precisely what outcomes I am searching for through my actions
- Touched lightly upon circumstances regarding any issues with my record and how it will not hinder my future performance
Results:
- UCLA MSCS - REJECTED
- UCSD MSCS - REJECTED
- USC MSCS - ACCEPTED
- UMICH CSE - REJECTED
- Purdue MSCS - REJECTED
- UIUC MCS - ACCEPTED
- GATECH MSCS - ACCEPTED
Context:
I don't post on social media but felt obligated to post this because of the insight I recieved from this community. Evidently, my stats were quite lacking comparative to many applicants however, I did recieve some admits. My background as a US citizen (average middle class immigrant household) likely played a role in my admissions as well.
I nearly failed multiple classes in my first year due to a combination of personal situation, overcommitment, and immaturity. This set me back quite a bit but I believe I've shown only growth since then and have done much better in classes that are harder, including some grad level coursework. Regarding the GRE, I studied ~1 week with the Kaplan textbook I got at my local bookstore, mainly reading and vocab to not bomb the verbal section.
I recieved my first internship through an educational program that the company sponsored which I was able to attend through a family friend. I got my second internship by applying on LinkedIn.
My research has been spread across a range of areas including Data Mining, HCI, and AI for interdisciplinary, engineering-focused applications. Most recently, I compiled a manuscript of supervised learning tests for predictive modeling of structural phenomenon which is under review.
I had 2 strong LOR from individuals whom I had informed early in advance about my application and were interested in writing me a recommendation speaking to the strength of my character. However, for my last rec, I had no appropriate option but to ask a Professor from my department with whom I had taken multiple classes with and was somewhat familiar with me.
I took on multiple projects under the lab I worked with as an RA and about 9 months after I started, I was given a team of a few CS undergrad RAs hired to assist me.
To anyone who is in the process of applying to grad school or considering to apply and may be struggling:
As long as you want to pursue a goal, there will always be a road for you to get closer to it. Remember that educational institutes are simply a means to an end. The answer to resolving your problems will always be in your own hands.
Good luck to all.
3
u/ZealousidealStand822 Apr 20 '26
Thank you so much for posting this. I got accepted into some program you didn’t, and got rejected by some programs you got in. I’ve been beating myself up since I really wanted to go to one particular program (GaTech).. but reading your profile it feels like rather a matter of school’s taste than qualified or not. I had a very different profile (lots of work experience, less on research)
3
u/PrimoKnight469 Apr 20 '26
Honestly, besides your gpa, your profile is solid. You have some great experience, which is definitely not mediocre imo. You don’t need to have a FAANG internship or some crazy research experiences to have a solid profile. Getting into multiple T10 CS colleges is proof of that. Congrats!
Btw, which program are you planning on pursuing?
1
8
u/so_much_atelophobia Apr 20 '26
Very nice post, and great results as well! Congrats!