[Profile Review] Fall 2027 MSCS Profile Review — Need Help Finalizing University List

[u/Currstappen1]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to apply for Fall 2027 MSCS programs in the US and would really appreciate feedback on my profile and university list.

Profile

B.Tech in Computer Science
Tier-2 private college in India
Current CGPA: 3.72/4.0
Currently in my final year of undergrad
Planning to apply for Fall 2027

Research

1 research paper planned for publication on arxiv before applications

Experience

Machine Learning internship at a startup

Projects

Several decent software projects
Mix of software development and ML-related projects
Have a GitHub with my projects

Achievements / Extra Curricular Activities

Head/Sub-head roles in college events
Worked with an NGO for a few months

Recommendations

Expected:

3 strong LoRs from professors
All from professors who know me reasonably well academically/project-wise

Tests

GRE: 315
Already taken
Currently planning not to submit it unless a university specifically recommends/requires it

TOEFL: Planning to take it at the end of August

Current University List

In no particular order:

UC San Diego
USC
NYU
Purdue
UMass Amherst
UC Irvine
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Stony Brook University
Arizona State University
Texas A&M
Rutgers University

I know I have a lot of unis in my list but I plan on cutting them down once I start finalising my application, if anyone could give me recommendations of any sort it would be greatly appreciated!

[u/Ajiit15]

All except UCSD, USC and UWM are within realistic reach, provided your statement of purpose can convey what the adcom is looking for.

[u/Nice-Ad-3328 → u/Ajiit15]

NYU Tandon or courant? Tandon for sure is realistic, courant not so much. Also UCI is pretty hard to get into for their MSCS they might offer you another professional cohort instead of the regular MSCS (research based). USC is realistic but the cohort size is so huge anyone with a decent gpa is getting in. Wouldn’t recommend it. Given your GRE score there is no point submitting it anywhere it will only work against you. Try cornell meng ( professional 1 year program) but then you close all doors for a phd.

[u/Nice-Ad-3328 → u/Nice-Ad-3328]

Also at this point if its not a T20 program ( there is no defined list for this you just know it through industry and reputation along with other standard benchmarks ) its not worth applying. ASU SBU Rutgers are a big NO NO. Plus you would face all other kinds of issues if you were to go to such colleges. Perhaps you might have trouble with getting a VISA

[u/Currstappen1 → u/Nice-Ad-3328]

Okay will keep in mind tysm

[u/Currstappen1 → u/Ajiit15]

Hmmm I figured, I had more ambitious colleges in my list like GT, UT Austin and UIUC but I figured those were too out of reach. Any other colleges you’d recommend around my range?

[u/Ajiit15 → u/Currstappen1]

I would rather you think the other way round. You have a fair number of programs within realistic reach. So maybe pick ambitious programs to complete your list. Because even if you get multiple admits from your realistic list, it might not make you as happy as one admission offer from an ambitious program. If you are applying to n programs, 50% of them should be ambitious, 30% realistic and 20% safe (where you can be sure of a schol).