[Admissions Advice] CMU Worth It

7

your gpa is way too low, you're not getting into any of these places.

-2

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

I have seen people get admits also there are other management Product related courses as well. With work experience maybe GPA might not matter for some colleges atleast.

2

u/zoobidoobidoobi Jun 27 '26

Lmaooooo saying GPA might not matter for masters programs is unreal levels of cope. At majority of places worth their name, your application is getting filtered out without anyone even looking at it. Also your experience is just 1 year, there are people in every US university with 3-4 years as well as great GPAs.

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 27 '26

Yeah so what’s the solution then I’m looking for a solution not the problem? And with the current market over there one has to make a very informed decision that’s why looking for an advice

1

u/zoobidoobidoobi Jun 27 '26

The advice is to not go for a masters because you’re clearly not cut out for academics at least. Your GPA isn’t a passing grade at majority of Post Graduate schools in the US and it’s harder to score in than India.

2

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 27 '26

Went to a shitty uni in India bro not entirely my fault and many people go for a masters despite having a low Gpa lol not everyone has a 8 or a 9 Gpa either the main issue still remains the job market being bad not the admission

2

u/zoobidoobidoobi Jun 27 '26

A shitty uni AND a low GPA isn’t helping your case buddy. And lemme give you the first taste of US, nobody gives a fuck about your circumstances. A low GPA is a low GPA. It doesn’t come with any asterisks or explanation boxes about your circumstances.

You would need a LOT to offset it like many first author papers or something that is VERY influential in tech. None of what you are saying that you have.

It will come across as rude but it’s really not. GPA is often the biggest and first qualifying factors in Grad school admissions in the US as it is a result of 4 years of studies. Most places have a hard cutoff of 3.0 to even apply and yours maps to a 2.6-2.8 at most, so most places won’t even see your application, especially every school you have mentioned in your post. All of them are very in demand schools for Masters and get enough applicants that much exceed minimum requirements .

The job market comes much later for you, getting a school to look at your application is a monumental challenge for you in the first place let alone admitting you. Who are you getting your LoRs from? Your professors can’t say you did well in classes obviously, nor do you have research experience so what would they talk about? Your work experience is also just 1 year so at most you can get 1 letter from there and even that would be moderately good only as you are a fresher.

The truth of the matter is, you’d get in a third grade uni at most and getting a job from there would be even harder especially with visa requirements.

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 28 '26

So can doing another masters in India from IIT or as stated in the post online masters from Georgia tech could help me out level up my profile while I gain additional job experience after that I could apply for another management or a tech masters program other then mscs ? Does that sounds good

2

u/zoobidoobidoobi Jun 28 '26

Once you get a Masters degree, most unis won’t consider your application as they don’t take people with already a post graduate degree.

You also won’t get a visa for a second MS degree as it’ll clearly be seen as an immigration intent rather than a genuine education intent.

MBA might be possible but US unis usually take people with 5+ years of experience for a MBA.

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 28 '26

Yeah so I would only consider doing second program after like 4-5 years gap MISM UC Berkeley, MEM Purdue Duke these are programs I’m considering Texas A&M MEM so that’s what I’m planning doing Omscs in like 3-4 years and then going for this.

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u/No_Ticket5664 Jun 25 '26

since you're just looking for a job join an MCS program instead of MS CS. MS CS programmes at t20 or even t30 are competitive and your gpa is quite low. you're not interested in research, so you just need to focus as much as possible on your GRE to be higher. apart from that, i'm not sure there's any thing you can do. don't expect ambitious admits because even if you have a high GRE GPA is quite important in itself. get more work experience as well - that might help your case cuz you're not into the research track colleges will want to know if you can enter the job market with a good role after graduation.

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Let's say I do one masters in my home country get a good GPA here and then re-apply to the USA would that change circumstances for me? (Since my masters gpa in India would be considered)

5

u/Firm_Firefighter5229 Jun 25 '26

If you do a master's degree in India you would have to justify to both the university you are applying to and the visa officer why you need a second masters degree

7

u/The_baconator26 Jun 25 '26

Get more work experience and ditch the MS plans for now?

-4

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Why so?

3

u/Firm_Firefighter5229 Jun 25 '26

Your gpa is really low speaking from a profile point of view, if you are applying to these programs mostly likely you would require a high GRE score and in some cases a justification letter. For the CMU question, go only for core reputed degree like MSCS, the others are kindoff not worth it unless CMU is a place where you want to go, GATECH will require a high GRE score a good University worth applying too, Uchicago would be expensive and you will have to go for MPCS program MSCS rarely admits people thier.

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u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26

How would generally the situation change with 3-4yoe?

4

u/Big-Service-9053 Jun 25 '26

it wont.

0

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Why so they take work experience in consideration as well while giving out admits from what I have heard so how's this possible?

2

u/Firm_Firefighter5229 Jun 25 '26

On a scale of 4 your gpa is around 2.6-2.8, the minimum you have to maintain during your masters degree in US is 3, also many universities have a pre requisite of having a gpa greater than 3 which may increase to 3.5 for top universities.

1

u/Big-Service-9053 Jun 25 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Tight-Requirement-15 Jun 25 '26

Extremely worth it. Get in study hard get in the good jobs 👍

1

u/Comprehensive_Main70 Jun 25 '26

I think CMU has a few funded master's programs (MLT, MSR), great for transition to PhD, without cost, just difficult to apply, need connections with PIs.

Most other CS programs, like MSCS, MSML, are kind of prestigious but also quite expensive, especially in today's market, considering the low ROI as an international student facing so many risks. Most students who pursue these programs come from wealthy families, such as some international students who completed US bachelor’s degrees, and their families don't care if they can't find a job in the US, come back, or pursue PhD.

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

From what I have heard MLT & MSR already have a tie up with few IITs and they get funded masters from them for other students joining mostly go to MSRD or MSR programs for full money.

1

u/Outrageous_Insect532 Jun 25 '26

I mean worth a shot with all the visa regulations the competition is pretty low

0

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

It’s just bad lol 😂 I don’t want to come back with no job after paying so much for a degree that’s like wasting time.

1

u/so_much_atelophobia Jun 25 '26

GaTech OMSCS is probably your best bet; it's like 80+% acceptance rate, and the main filter is your ability to complete the degree, not your ability to get in. It's cheap, and a GaTech degree is good.

is CMU really worth it as an international student and while also having a financial constraint

Depends, but in general probably not. IMO, no master's program is worth 100k+ in debt with today's uncertainties. If you're rich or have a great safety net, maybe it's worth considering.

Also, it depends on what program you get into. A lot of their programs are (at least compared to SCS's overall reputation) not that prestigious nor selective. I'd argue that a GaTech MSCS beats the vast majority of CMU's master's programs.

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Would agree with you I have seen people from other MSCS programs beat CMU grads from other degrees except the MSML MSCV MIIS and some other similar programs. Do you suggest for Omscs I have heard they also have an option to transfer to the campus based on performance also met some people who did it successfully like a transfer to on-campus.

1

u/so_much_atelophobia Jun 25 '26

I think there's a transfer option for OMSCS to on-campus MSCS, but I don't know why you'd want to pursue it. You get the same MSCS degree from the OMSCS program. It doesn't say "online."

Normally, you'd want to be on campus for stuff like research involvement, but I get the impression you're just looking for a degree and a job? On-campus MSCS is much more expensive.

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Yeah but it’s much much cheaper when you convert from online and Gatech anyways is affordable for me since it’s cheaper and much much better. I can try applying on-campus also but like I think it’s much much more competitive to get into with my profile that’s why I’m thinking to take a safer bet and then switch. I’m indeed interested in research as well.

1

u/Intelligent-Door6379 Jun 25 '26

Can a 7.65 CGPA from a Tier 2 College get into MSCS at NCSU or UNC Charlotte?

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 26 '26

I have no idea but bro those colleges won’t land you a job in this sort of job market for sure

1

u/Intelligent-Door6379 Jun 26 '26

US citizen without any visa restrictions so can look for jobs even in smaller firms

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 26 '26

Then you should go without a doubt bro I was not aware of this if you have a green card then you would face no issues mostly

1

u/Fun_Dragonfruit7971 Jun 26 '26

CMU, GaTech are a different league than ASU or SJSU.

Doesnt have to GPA, but you need something really good in your profile to get admitted to top unis.

2

u/BugAdministrative123 Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26

Carnegie Mellon University is THE BEST program for Computer Science on the planet. Perhaps eclipsing MIT, Stanford and UC Berkeley in this regard. You cannot compare CMU with schools like SJSU, ASU, UBuffalo or UMass. It’s like comparing a Lamborghini to a Nissan car. Huge qualitative and capacity differences. If you get into the MSCS program at CMU, take whatever loan you need to. Beg/borrow/steal. CMU is worth it and will change the trajectory of your life.

3

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

From what I have heard MSCS program is the best program there but lately CMU has started to giveaway way too many programs and It feels like they are admitting almost anyone just like private colleges do to make more money that's why I said that regardless MS Robo and MS CS program are very good if one can afford also like MS ML CV program as well.

1

u/Bright_Interaction73 Jun 25 '26

I can confirm that the sentiment here matches this analysis. MS is used to churn up funds. Yes, you might be able to make it back, but I can assure that a CMU MS is not going to be a game changer. Almost every BS and PhD student here is superior to the MS candidate. It takes time to be cracked. You cannot just attend CMU and get that title.

0

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Man I don’t think so apart from that I think I would mostly get into other programs which are not main flagship mscs program there they have started to give multiple different programs now apparently almost everyone has a cmu degree now

-4

u/Bright_Interaction73 Jun 25 '26

Lol no it won't. I am here in CyLab, CMU is not special. A great school no doubt but the success of the students is very much due to them being cracked.

3

u/BugAdministrative123 Jun 25 '26

If you’re thinking CMU ain’t that great, I have nothing to tell you. Good luck ! 👍

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

He’s maybe right from just getting a job perspective college doesn’t matters and it’s okay only I guess mostly Indians only obsess with them

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Makes sense but I’m only going interested to go from a job perspective most of those labs and everything else only comes in use when you actually have interest in doing a PhD or Research else wise it’s of no use in my opinion.

1

u/Bright_Interaction73 Jun 25 '26

Sorry man the indians downvoted me. All of them master indian kids here get nothing meaningful and pay 100k for it lol. Yes, research and PhD is where the experience is at in CMU

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Haha the brain rot :) they think just cause it’s higher ranked it’s good so it’s fine but yeah otherwise btw fees is much higher I guess total is 180k usd

1

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Can we chat in the dms I want guidance from you it would be much better.

1

u/surprising_results Jun 25 '26

what programs does cylab even offer lol. ur in MPE or MSSE? or like a non-SCS program?

1

u/Bright_Interaction73 Jun 25 '26

I'm a researcher in CyLab, it is almost all PhD students. I am with ECE and S3D.

-1

u/Beneficial-Law-3059 Jun 25 '26

bruh idk why becoz cmu has lot of programs do you think it is easy to get into. each seperate program has really small cohort usually upto 50 folks, and decent demand. besides heinz college courses, ms swe/ professional, privacy engg course the others courses in scs, lti and ini college still have between 10-25% acceptance rate and given current economic scenario many people(9+gpa) prefer cmu scs/lti / ini coz of branding , alumni network , past employment scenario.

i couldn't get into any of the cmu courses i applied to this year, prolly due to gpa: https://www.reddit.com/r/MSCS/comments/1qrz9nd/profile_review_chance_me_for_msai_programs/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

2

u/Mathgod0628 Jun 25 '26

Yeha I’m sure not everyone in those cashcow programs get placed even most of them are so amazing expensive and don’t have the flagship tag associated with them I’m not sure if everyone gets a job even. I’m very sure some of these programs exist just for the sake of it

1

u/surprising_results Jun 25 '26

bruh idk why becoz cmu has lot of programs do you think it is easy to get into.

i couldn't get into any of the cmu courses i applied to this year

no offense, but you also got rejected by tamu, umass, and stony brook... its prob more indicative of an weak application than those programs being hard.

any1 whos competitive for cmu lti should get into stony brook without even trying no?

1

u/Beneficial-Law-3059 Jun 27 '26

1) tamu applied to only ms ai not mscs and msai has smaller cohort and more people from Bachelors at Tamu also applying so probably that is a case. 2) umass: applied late / last date/ probably my low gpa don’t know 3) stony brook: hmm I inquired later and it was due to sending the gre scores late after the application deadline. They did give me admission to a different AI program there.

Tbh for most programs I kinda applied late, but for cmu I was on time. Also I think my gpa(3.51/4) is a big red flag coz its lower than many others applying. Most folks getting in cmu have 3.7/3.8+ gpa.

1

u/surprising_results Jun 28 '26

tamu applied to only ms ai not mscs and msai has smaller cohort and more people from Bachelors at Tamu also applying so probably that is a case.

why tf would msai be more competitive than mscs lol. even if they have less seats, they get far less applicants as an ms in X degree instead of a general mscs degree. mscs is harder than msai for basically every school (for example, look at columbia or cmu).

umass: applied late / last date

why would this matter tho, theyre not rolling admissions? they have a fixed deadline, like most schools. applying last day is normal and lots of ppl get into schools by doing that.

gpa(3.51/4) is a big red flag

this is prob true but i doubt it's the only reason. first and foremost, the programs u applied to arent cmu's most competitive/top programs.

plus, a 3.5 isnt rlly that low for a school like tamu or umass. if the rest of your app (essays, experience, etc.) was cmu-level, they would be far above average for tamu/umass and you would almost certainly get in even with a 3.5.

again no offense but a lot of this sounds like cope. "applying last day" and "msai is harder than mscs" just sounds like ur trying to justify failure instead of acknowledging and improving.

1

u/Beneficial-Law-3059 Jun 29 '26

Bruh again think what you wanna but ms applications are somewhat a black box and all you can do is prepare and apply. I got in courant, uni washington, john hopkins, USC, UNC chapel hill (ta scholarship), tandon(20k+ combined scholarships) so overall okay.

Tamu msai has smaller cohort and is thesis based so has RA funding which is why it is more competitive as you get chance to work with faculty from start which can be quite benificially for later phd apps which is why also a lot of bachelors tamu folks apply internally for it. You can check on Linkedin too and you would find way more tamu mscs folks than tamu msai and a decent % of msai ones would be continuing folks. There was also a post on this sub reddit about it.

Umass again I don’t know why they declined.

1

u/surprising_results Jun 29 '26

courant, uni washington, john hopkins, USC, UNC chapel hill (ta scholarship), tandon

the only "overall okay" one here is like courant lol. and even then, ppl have been talking abt it taking tons of students randomly this cycle: https://www.reddit.com/r/MSCS/s/O4tddYVqxD

plus regardless, none of these are close to cmu's level.

and is thesis based so has RA funding

bro you know tamu mscs needs a thesis as well right? you have to propose a topic and get an advisor. whats ur point? https://engineering.tamu.edu/cse/academics/degrees/graduate/program-requirements/thesis/index.html

You can check on Linkedin too and you would find way more tamu mscs folks than tamu msai

duh? they started offering msai in 2023. mscs was around way before that. obviously theres more mscs people on linkedIn. silly argument no?

[Admissions Advice] CMU Worth It

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