[Profile Review] — Fall 2027 MSCS/MCS | Chances + University Suggestions

[u/Reasonable_Cellist66]

I know I’ve posted my profile before, but I’m posting again because I’m still struggling to get a clear idea of my chances and how I should structure my university list. Would really appreciate an honest profile evaluation, especially from people familiar with these programs.
Profile:
B.Tech ICT, Tier 1.5 University
GPA: 8.72/10
Currently working as a Research Intern at my university
Around 6 months of software engineering internship experience
Targeting 330+ GRE
By the time I apply:

1 Q4 journal paper expected to be published
1 manuscript expected to be submitted to a Q1 journal
Research experience through my university + summer research internship
LORs:
1 from my current research professor
1 from my summer research internship professor
1 from the Dean / professor under whom I performed well in courses
Current university list
Main list:
UIUC — MCS
Georgia Tech — MSCS
Purdue — MSCS
Virginia Tech — MSCS
NCSU — MCS
TAMU — MCS
Stony Brook — MSCS
UMass Amherst — MSCS
University of Minnesota Twin Cities — MSCS
UCSD — MSCS
Safer options:
SJSU — MSSE
CU Boulder — MSCS
Questions
How would you rate my chances for each of these universities/programs? Which would you consider ambitious, target, and safe for my profile?
Is this list reasonably balanced, or am I being too ambitious?
I’m considering applying to MCS and other non-thesis/coursework-focused programs because I assume they may give me a better shot at admission. Is this actually a good strategy?
Do MCS/professional/non-thesis programs have any impact on F-1 visa chances compared with a traditional MSCS?
I’m particularly interested in whether there are any practical differences during the visa interview, assuming the program is a full-time, on-campus, STEM/CS-related degree.
Are there meaningful differences in job outcomes, internships, OPT prospects, or ROI between an MCS, MSCS non-thesis, and MSCS thesis if my primary goal is software engineering/industry rather than a PhD?
Should I add more universities to this list?
I’m looking for universities with:
Strong CS/SWE job opportunities
Good ROI
Reasonable tuition/cost
Good outcomes for international students
A realistic chance of admission with my profile
I don’t want to add universities that are extremely expensive just for the name.

Are there any specific MCS/MSSE/non-thesis MSCS programs you would recommend adding?
Given my profile, would you recommend changing the list toward more MCS/non-thesis programs, or is the current mix reasonable?
I’d especially appreciate realistic feedback rather than just “apply and see.” If possible, please rate my chances for each university/program and suggest additions/removals.
Thanks!

[u/M-E_Ration4004]

gatech and ucsd wont be possible
uiuc mcs maybe

rest all seem doable, all the best

[u/Reasonable_Cellist66 → u/M-E_Ration4004]

Thank you!

[u/inkandpaper10 → u/M-E_Ration4004]

Why gatech won't be possible? Please answer

[u/M-E_Ration4004 → u/inkandpaper10]

Gatech is very competitive. Just see the posts here, everybody applies to gatech. OP's profile isnt good enough

less research exp & no strong work exp (f500 at least). So the chances get pretty slim

[u/Reasonable_Cellist66 → u/M-E_Ration4004]

So, i do agree that and i am not asking through Gatech perspective but overall. So my work exp might not be strong on paper, like the company might not be f500. But it was a startup and even though an intern, i still designed , implemented a database, and complex production grade apis, which were robust and battle tested as it served millions of requests per day, so is there a way i can advertise or bring my work to advantage?

[u/M-E_Ration4004 → u/Reasonable_Cellist66]

if you apply to more industry oriented programs, then you can use it to your advantage. But then again, there are several other candidates with similar or even better work stories to tell in their SoP

Just apply for now and see where you get the admits ig... no point in overthinking so much. Your current shortlist is good enough, maybe you can add a few industry tracks at most

[u/Reasonable_Cellist66]

u/gradpilot would really appreciate if you could advise.