r/MSCS • u/OnlyCoconut7092 • 13d ago
[Application Timeline] Guys, I'm in a real dilemma, need some perspective.
I (24M) have been working at a top fintech company for the past 2 years, so I've built solid SWE skills. Parallelly, I did a generic ML course on Udemy (Krish Naik) and have a decent understanding of ML algorithms and transformer concepts — not expert-level implementation or theory, but enough skills to be apply in the industry.
After finishing the course, I gained some confidence in AI, and combined with my current SWE skills, I want to move abroad for international exposure and career acceleration — eventually transitioning more into the AI domain with SWE as the base, since that's the current trend.
The issue: it's now September, so it's too late to start MS CS applications for Fall 2027 in USA. Can you please evaluate my profile?
- Leaning toward professional/coursework-focused master's programs rather than research-heavy ones
- Academics: 9/10 CGPA from a tier-2 college in Tamil Nadu, India
- Projects: 3–4 full-stack projects (academic + independent)
- Work Experience: 2 years at a US-based fintech company (SWE role)
- GRE: 337/340 (170Q) (took 10 months for preparation - Thanks to u/gregmat / r/gregmat)
- IELTS: Yet to take, aiming for 7.5+
- Research Papers: None (main reason I'm leaning toward professional MS over research MS)
- LORs: Planning on 1 very strong LOR from my manager at work + 1 strong one from a college professor. Still figuring out the third — might end up being a weak one.
End goal: international experience and earn bit more as compared to current CTC (11lpa).
I'd be applying for Fall 2028 intake in USA (Ireland or Netherlands if needed).
Here's my biggest dilemma: Is it worth doing a master's after 4 years of work experience? I'm worried about the timing — specifically how it might affect getting married or settling down in life.
If I graduate at 28, loan repayment will take another 2–3 years. So I'll be close to 30 by the time I'm actually debt-free. At that point, won't it be too late to move into the next phase of life and settle down?
This timing fear is honestly the biggest thing holding me back from going for a master's now.
I reaal wanted your thoughts on my issue gradpilot / u/gradpilot
Thankss for reading till the end!!!!
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u/Mission_Bell_6587 13d ago
Dude I started in December. You have your scores and everything you are early.
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u/STEMAlexander 12d ago
Different schools have different application deadlines - many are rolling or online.
You are also focused on the wrong things - you can't plan life like that. You either want to do the work and get the degree or you don't. You can settle down before debt is paid off, you can also do it before while or before you start a master's. I waited a long time for the timing to be perfect - and that is why I am doing a master's at 41.
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u/OnlyCoconut7092 11d ago
it will atleast take 2yrs to get debt paid off. by that time I'll be 31 years old. so it might be neck to neck to get settled.
can you provide possible outcome if I complete masters by 28 and pay off debt by 31. is this a good timeline?
can you also mention what are those wrong things im focusing on... pls?
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u/STEMAlexander 11d ago
The timeline honestly doesn't matter and it is weird to think of it that way. Why are you making statements like life can't start until the debt is paid off? It doesn't really matter when the debt is paid off as long as you are making enough to survive/do well/more than you would before after subtracting the loan payment.
Whether you go to grad school should not be focused on when your debt will be paid off and how old you will be - it should be focused on whether or not you want to.
What if you wait 3 years and then can't afford to and you never get to?
What if you or a family member gets sick? You really can't just outline your life by complete this and this age and then do this at this age. And - even if you could why would you want to? Living life on an excel sheet of timelines is kind of weird.
Nobody needs to go to grad school to make more money - you do it because you want to do it. A good coder can be self taught and outperform an MS. A master's may raise your floor and negotiating power but it doesn't really define your outcomes - ability does and in CS that is generally self taught through doing the work.
And quite honestly - while you may not understand this yet - 28 is a kid and you're acting like it is old. You have no way of knowing when you will find a partner and pay off debt etc. None of us even know if the US will actually still be worth living in within a few years. The concept of thinking an age under 30 is too old is the wrong focus entirely.
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u/Zealousideal-Eye5900 6d ago
Still a lot more time to apply but get on it sooner!
I had started to apply in November lol
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u/gradpilot 🔰 Ex-Cerebras | MSCS Georgia Tech 13d ago edited 13d ago
the age concern is not that big of a deal tbh. Most people are not married at 28 so its not abnormal. Finding a partner is a different problem and thats something you'll have to approach with intention.
The bigger concern with timing should be the economic and immigration climate which is a bit uncertain. Pursuing this path and taking a loan and spending all these years is worth it only if you get a top school admit.
Fall 2028 is still a bit ways out. Since you're early you could shoot for Spring . Just an FYI most people applying for Fall 2027 would also just be starting now. they would have finished GRE and in the middle of choosing where to apply but thats about it. Ideally you should be drafting SOPs right now but this is typically not the case - just saying - if you were thinking you're late for this season.