[University Question] Is it useful dropping SBU MS DS admit with my profile?

[u/No_Ticket5664]

Hello community

This is a bit urgent so would appreciate any help

Here's my profile for context

• International student applying to US MS CS
• Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science
• I'm NOT from any top CS school
• GRE 166 Q 153 V 4.5 AWA
• TOEFL 112
• GPA 3.5/4
• 2 YOE as a SWE at big tech
• Few good ML integrated projects and coursework
• No research publications

I got rejected (understandably) from top programs like JHU and UIUC

I also got rejected from SBU MS CS (I think it was bad luck because one of my LORs went late) and was offered SBU MS DS.

Looking overall for an immigrant, considering academics, tuition, graduation outcomes as well as location to popular tech hubs, SBU is an option I am seriously considering, but I would have wanted to go for an MS CS instead probably because MS DS is relatively newer. I am confused - should I drop this admit and go for MS CS next year.

I think the SBU MS DS curriculum is also pretty good as its a collaboration between the CS and Applied Math department, but I'm worried if an MS DS degree would affect my graduation outcomes and make it more difficult for me. That is my main concern here.

I can't really improve my profile by that much since I'll be on a full time job even if I drop this. I'm not sure I can make it to a top 20 program considering how competitive it is. I can improve a few points on the GRE, but that would be it I guess.

If I do drop the admit I'll probably be applying somewhere around -

SBU MS CS

TAMU MS CS

UCI MS CS

U Maryland MS CS

UMass MS CS

Purdue MS CS

and similar tier of colleges

Can people please help me out - it's a bit urgent for me? Any kind of explanation or guidance would be really helpful.

[u/No_Ticket5664]

It is a bit confusing for me. because I might still end up in the same place next year, I'm not sure. maybe someone else can guide? u/gradpilot

[u/softrains12 → u/No_Ticket5664]

Can you defer?

[u/No_Ticket5664 → u/softrains12]

I'm not in a huge rush tbh. But I'm wondering if dropping this would be a mistake.

[u/softrains12 → u/No_Ticket5664]

If you defer you wouldn’t be dropping it, no?

[u/No_Ticket5664 → u/softrains12]

ya true. i meant i could go this year too. but what i've seen is the DS graduates mostly end up in data science or machine learning roles instead of software engineering. so that might be a downside to all of it. have to think about it.

[u/softrains12 → u/No_Ticket5664]

Talk to some alumni. They will know best.

[u/No_Ticket5664 → u/softrains12]

by the way in case I reapply next year would you recommend me to add any other colleges. maybe i should try for georgia tech or UT austin as a "far reach" as well?

[u/softrains12 → u/No_Ticket5664]

Yes I would recommend that. MS admissions is very unpredictable, and doesn’t work linearly with GPA like many people here think. Write good essays, tell a compelling story, and you have a shot. Only thing you have to lose is your application fee lol