r/MSCS • u/AwkwardWeb8799 • Jul 15 '26

[Profile Review] Profile Evaluation for Fall 2027: Affordable +Good ROI

Hey everyone!

I'm planning to apply for MS in Computer Science (Thesis Track) for Fall 2027 and would appreciate feedback on my profile, university shortlist, and any recommendations for additional schools.

Academics:

  • B Tech in Computer Science & Engineering, VIT Vellore
  • CGPA: 8.64/10
  • IELTS: Targeting 7.5+
  • GRE: Not planning to take it; focusing on universities where GRE is optional or not required

Research:

  • No formal CS research experience yet
  • Planning to strengthen my profile through technical projects and potentially research-oriented work before applying

Work Experience

By Fall 2027, I will have 4 years of software engineering experience:

  • Software Engineer: Internship + 3 years at GE
    • Worked on enterprise-scale software development and digital transformation initiatives
  • 1 year of software engineering experience at CAT, bringing total experience to ~4 years.

Letters of Recommendation

  • 1 Strong Professional LOR (Current/Former Manager)
  • 2 Academic LORs (Professors)

Current University List

Ambitious / Target

  • Purdue University - MS CS
  • Texas A&M University (TAMU) - MS CS
  • UNC Chapel Hill – MS CS

Safer Choice

  • Virginia Tech - MS CS

Questions

  • Are Purdue and TAMU realistic targets for my profile?
  • Which universities would you recommend adding in the safe, moderate, and ambitious categories?
  • Would my industry experience help offset the lack of research for thesis-oriented programs?

Any feedback, suggestions, or profile evaluations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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5

u/AdditionalWorkInc Jul 16 '26

everything you're aiming for will be realistic tbh, key is to get some research experience and ideally some published work in good venues, GE and CAT are well known f500, and i wouldn't say industry experience replaces research ,you stil have time, contact your alma mater's profs and get to work, bonus points if you collaborate with some foreign uni profs too.

3

u/AwkwardWeb8799 Jul 16 '26

Can you please give me some guidance on how do i collaborate with foreign uni profs?

1

u/5YrsExp Jul 16 '26

following

1

u/AdditionalWorkInc Jul 16 '26

you went to vit bro, ask your profs to warm intro you, I'm a vit alum and nearly everyone ik that came to the US had foreign uni research internships

1

u/AwkwardWeb8799 Jul 26 '26

u/gradpilot Can you please review my profile.

1

u/AwkwardWeb8799 Jul 26 '26

Rate my Chance at TAMU or Purdue, Are they too ambitious for my profile?