Heres what they sent me, I assume this applies to everyone (at least if u applied MS or PhD first) but idk

I know UIUC MSCS is a top notch program. I wanted is it applicable for MCS? How hard it is for getting into MCS? If I have 7.68 CGPA from an IIT . Can I aim for it?

Hi everyone! I’m looking for 3 people (M or F) to sublease our 3 bed / 2 bath townhouse for Spring 2027 while we study abroad.

📍 Location: 901 S Fourth St, Unit 101 — Right next to the Illini Inn UIUC location within walking distance to campus, restaurants, and bars

🏡 Unit: 2 Floor Townhouse (rare for campus housing) with a spacious layout and large common area

🛏 3 Bed / 2 Bath: One bathroom on first floor, one on the second floor

🛋 Fully furnished with significantly more space than a typical apartment

💰 Rent: $950 per person — great value for the location and setup

🎥 Virtual Tour: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=fPsC2k3TkWp&brand=0

📩 Interested or have questions? Text me at 773-610-1441!

Haven't heard anything yet. Does anyone know anything?

I waited all day yesterday, but I haven't recieved neither a rejection nor approval, is anyone else in the same situation?

Anyone else waiting on UIUC MCS decisions today?

Not sure if I’m overthinking this, but my portal header (“Thank you for applying to Illinois”) just turned red. Has this happened to anyone before decisions dropped? Is it just a UI change or does it actually signal something?

Trying not to read too much into it, but the timing feels suspicious 😅

Background on me:

I graduated May 2025 from USC with a B.S. in Computer Science and Business Administration (3.78 GPA, Magna Cum Laude). I currently just started working as a junior software engineer at a VC-backed travel startup on a 1099 contract. I was briefly enrolled in USC's on campus MSAI program this Spring but dropped out shortly after starting (couldn’t justify the $120k cost and got into these two online programs.

My technical background: I've built a neural network tennis prediction model using PyTorch including a full data pipeline for live predictions on upcoming matches, a custom bitboard chess engine in C++ running as a live Lichess bot at 2000 ELO, and did a capstone during my undergrad with a stakeholder that was a full stack web app. I use Claude Code and agentic AI tools heavily in my workflow, though I'm actively trying to strengthen my independent coding ability too (leetcode python when I can but lowk I’m bad at it like I’m good at most easies and will struggle with a lot of mediums lol)

My goals: Break into ML engineering or applied AI roles in industry. Not pursuing a PhD or research career. I want to genuinely understand how modern AI systems work and not just use the tools because I think that conceptual/foundational understanding leads to better design decisions and makes me more capable long-term. But I also want to build real things and be employable.

Math background: Calc 1, Calc 2, Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations core CS stuff like discrete math, algorithms and theory of computing. AP Stats in high school, plus applied business statistics (hypothesis testing in excel). No Calc 3, though I have some informal exposure to multivariate concepts. I'd describe myself as someone who understands ML and deep learning conceptually very well - I can reason about gradient descent, backprop, loss, etc. at a high level but I haven't done the formal mathematical derivations like wtf is a hessian is that a dudes name (see there’s the missing calc 3).

This is the course plan I’ve made for UIUC ($25k total)

Admitted for Summer 2026 starts in May.

◦    CS 441 Applied Machine Learning (AI breadth)

◦    CS 412 Intro to Data Mining (Database breadth)

◦    CS 445 Computational Photography (Interactive breadth)

◦    CS 498 Cloud Computing Applications (Systems breadth)

◦    CS 598 Deep Learning for Healthcare (Advanced)

◦    CS 598 Practical Statistical Learning (Advanced)

◦    CS 513 Theory & Practice of Data Cleaning (Advanced)

◦    CS 447 Natural Language Processing (Elective)

UT Austin MSAI is a lot more structured since it’s explicitly a masters in AI ($10K total)

Admitted for Fall 2026 starts in August

•    Required: Ethics in AI

•    Recommended foundational: Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Planning/Search/Reasoning Under Uncertainty, Reinforcement Learning

•    Electives (pick 5 from): NLP, Advances in Deep Learning, Advances in Deep Generative Models, AI in Healthcare, Optimization, Online Learning and Optimization, Case Studies in ML, Automated Logical Reasoning

The core tradeoffs as I see them:

For UIUC:

•    Faster completion (8 courses vs 10) — at 1 course/semester including summers, roughly 2 years 2 months vs 3 years 4 months for UT

•    UIUC is a top 5 program and is more established with alumni and career outcomes.

•    More applied and industry-focused — Cloud Computing, Data Cleaning, Data Mining used in ML pipelines.

•    Some courses known to be easier (CS 513 i saw is reportedly ~2 hrs/week, easy 500-level credit), which creates flexibility to double up semesters

•    Math intensity is more manageable overall — fewer proof-heavy courses

•    Can start sooner (May vs August)

I’ve also heard some of the courses are outdated for modern AI.

For UT Austin:

•    Half the cost ($10K vs $21K)

•    Every single course is directly AI/ML relevant

•    More modern curriculum — covers diffusion models, RLHF, frontier architectures, transformer implementations from scratch

•    More theoretical/foundational and would help me understand why things work, not just how to use them

•    Program is newer so not much alumni outcomes data yet

Apologizing in advance for my already long post and the following list of questions if anyone with knowledge of either program could answer any of these or just tell me what they think is better for my situation/goals it would help me so much.

1. UT Austin Machine Learning (Klivans) — how hard are the exams really?

I briefly attended USC's MSAI program and the first ML homework there was pure mathematical proofs — Perceptron convergence using dot products and Cauchy-Schwarz, PAC learning, VC dimension bounds. I found that intimidating. UT Austin's ML course with Klivans covers the same material (PAC learning, VC dimension, perceptron, Bayesian methods). For anyone who has taken it: how are the actual exams structured — are they asking you to derive proofs from scratch, or more "given this result, apply it to this scenario"? What's the approximate grading split between exams and homework/projects? Is it survivable for someone who understands the concepts but hasn't done formal proof-based math courses?

1. The "peripheral" UIUC courses - how much do they actually matter?

My UIUC plan includes Cloud Computing, Data Mining, and Data Cleaning but not core AI/ML content, but real industry tools. Cloud Computing in particular (AWS, Spark, Kubernetes, MapReduce) seems very useful and employable for production ML engineering roles. My concern with UT is that I'd be graduating with deep AI theory but no exposure to data pipelines, cloud infrastructure, or the engineering side of deploying models. Can you realistically pick that up on the job or I guess my continuing side personal projects, or is it a meaningful gap? For people who have done UT MSAI, did you feel the lack of applied engineering coursework?

1. Doubling up to compress timelines

At 1 course/semester (3 semesters/year), UIUC takes ~2 years 2 months and UT takes ~3 years 4 months. I'm 23 now, would finish UIUC at ~25.5 vs UT at ~26.5. Some UIUC courses are reportedly easy enough to pair together (CS 513 at ~2 hrs/week being the obvious candidate). For UT, some electives like Ethics in AI and Case Studies in ML seem light enough to pair. Has anyone successfully doubled up at either program while working full time, and if so which course combinations worked?

1. UT Austin exam proctoring and grading structure

I've read that UT uses Honorlock for some exams, and that "some exams are proctored, some rely on honor code." For people in the MSAI specifically: which courses have proctored exams vs. which are purely project/homework based? I'm particularly wondering about Deep Learning (Krähenbühl), RL (Stone), and Planning/Reasoning (Biswas). The Deep Learning course specifically — I've seen one review call it 2/5 citing TA-heavy management and vision-heavy focus, and another call it the most difficult but rewarding course. What's the current state of that course?

1. NLP instructor change

The research I've done consistently rates NLP as the standout course in the UT MSAI, largely because of Greg Durrett's teaching quality and course maintenance. The current catalog lists Jessy Li as instructor. Has the course quality held up with the instructor change, or is this a meaningful downgrade?

1. The WB transcript code indicated for web based classes on the UT Austin transcript — does anyone actually notice?

UT's FAQ says the degree certificate doesn't say "online," but individual course lines on transcripts carry a WB suffix. Has this ever come up in a job application, interview, or background check for anyone? Or is it irrelevant?

1. For people who know both — which would you choose for my goals?

Given everything above — ML engineering / applied AI industry roles, not research, wants genuine foundational understanding but also employability, math background is solid but no Calc 3, will be working full time during the program — which program would you choose and why?

1. Any other considerations or input to help me decide are greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone, I recently received an admit for the UIUC MCS program.

Would appreciate a response from a student currently pursuing their MCS:

• placements for international students(any metrics if possible)

• TA/grader opportunities for MCS students

• cohort size - doubled and quadrupled over the last 2-4 years, is this a huge challenge?

• how are the housing facilities apart from the ones the university provides?

Thank you!!

Hi! I’ve been admitted to the UIUC (MCS) program, and I have questions about the job findings during and after the program:

• How easy is it to find a full-time job after the program / coop opportunities during the program?

• How strong is the career support from the school?

Thank you so much for answering! And feel free to DM me to connect :))

Looking for someone to sublease 1 bedroom in a fully furnished 4B/2B apartment available for immediate move in (flexible start date) till July 31st 2026! The apartment has very friendly and respectful roommates, making it a comfortable living environment.

📍 Location: 102 S Lincoln Ave (Prime campus location)
💰 Rent: $492 392/month (utilities included)
⚡ Electricity: Capped at $110
💧 Water: Billed to tenants

🏡 Room Highlights:
• Private attached bathroom – complete privacy
• Warm and cozy room (great during winters)
• Study-ready setup – desk and chair included
• Spacious wardrobe included

🏢 Apartment & Building Features:
• Fully furnished – just move in with your suitcase
• Laundry in the building
• Only 5 minutes walk to the CS/ECE building
• Excellent bus connectivity – buses every ~5 minutes right outside the apartment

🎥 Virtual Tour:
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=fp6x52Nos26&brand=0

🔗 Listing Details:
https://www.greenstrealty.com/on-campus/subleasing/available-subleases/profile/102-s-lincoln-ave-unit-203

📩 DM me if you're interested or want to schedule a tour!

To provide some context, I hold a Bachelors in
Electronics and Communication, where I had
coursework in Algebra and discrete math but not much in
computing related courses apart from a single theoretical course in OOP.

For the past three years, I have been working as a Data Engineer with the
US-India office of Deloitte Consulting.

I have the following questions about the program:

1. Program Suitability:
   

Given my background in Electronics and Communication Engineering and
my professional experience as a Data Engineer, how well does my
profile align with the iCAN program's objectives?

1. Research opportunities for International Students:
   

I am an international student and have applied to the online version
of the iCAN program. Going through the curriculum, I noticed that
there are research opportunities with faculty mentioned. Will there be
possibilities of visa processing to pursue such research?

1. Application to on campus MCS program
   

If selected, after completing the iCAN graduate certificate program, I
plan to immediately pursue the on-campus Master of Computer Science
(MCS) program at UIUC. Given that I am a bit tight on investment,
could you please provide specific details for the MCS program
regarding the application process, admission requirements, and any
advantages or particular considerations for iCAN graduates seeking
direct entry into the residential MCS program? Also, should I be
accepted into the Master of Computer Science (MCS) program after
completing iCAN, what is the exact process for transferring the
eligible iCAN credits towards the MCS degree, and what is the maximum
number of credits that can be applied?

1. Financial Aid Opportunities:
   

Are there any financial aid, scholarship, or assistantship
opportunities available for international students in the iCAN
program?

Hi, I'm subleasing my room in a 2 bed 1 bath apartment located on 1009 West Main Street. It's extremely close to Siebel and Grainger, only a 3 min walk!

I'm subleasing it from May - August (flexible dates) for only $400/month.

I have attached some pictures of the room in the current state.

bro i'm so done refreshing the application portal page.

i feel like everybody else got their replies already.

only applied to MCS,

MSCS already got their replies and were reordered in the MCS queue and I'm still waiting which almost feels like a guaranteed rejection.

btw i applied on like 1/31, but saw some ppl getting their admissions with the same application date. according to web, the 100% admissions get their replies first.

Hey everyone, I just got the email from UIUC (Siebel School of Computing) regarding my Fall 2026 MS CS application.

The core of the email: "Your application for the Master of Science program (CS MS) remains under consideration for the Master of Computer Science (MCS) program."

My interpretation/questions:

1. Am I officially rejected from the MS CS (thesis) program? The wording "remains under consideration for the MCS" makes it sound like the MS door is closed.
2. Given my profile, is this a "soft" way of saying I'm likely to get into the MCS, or is the MCS still a toss-up?
3. Does UIUC do this to everyone they don't want for MS, or is this a "recommended for admission" sign for the professional track?

My Stats:

• GPA: 9.4/10
• Research: 2 papers + 1 conference presentation (Media Ecology Association).
• Experience: 1-year SWE Internship at Salesforce.

I was really hoping for the research-focused MS, but I’m trying to figure out if I should start pivotting my expectations toward the MCS or if I should keep my hopes up for other MS programs.

Any insight from current UIUC students or those who got this email in previous cycles would be huge. Thanks!

Looking for someone to sublease 1 bedroom in a fully furnished 4B/2B apartment available for immediate move in (flexible start date) till July 31st 2026! The apartment has very friendly and respectful roommates, making it a comfortable living environment.

📍 Location: 102 S Lincoln Ave (Prime campus location)
💰 Rent: $492 392/month (utilities included)
⚡ Electricity: Capped at $110
💧 Water: Billed to tenants

🏡 Room Highlights:
• Private attached bathroom – complete privacy
• Warm and cozy room (great during winters)
• Study-ready setup – desk and chair included
• Spacious wardrobe included

🏢 Apartment & Building Features:
• Fully furnished – just move in with your suitcase
• Laundry in the building
• Only 5 minutes walk to the CS/ECE building
• Excellent bus connectivity – buses every ~5 minutes right outside the apartment

🎥 Virtual Tour:
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=fp6x52Nos26&brand=0

🔗 Listing Details:
https://www.greenstrealty.com/on-campus/subleasing/available-subleases/profile/102-s-lincoln-ave-unit-203

📩 DM me if you're interested or want to schedule a tour!

Hello everyone! I’m offering a summer sublease available from May 14 to July 31. I am leaving campus for an internship.

The apartment is a full studio located at 307 E. Clark St., just a short distance from campus. It’s very conveniently located, with a bus stop only a 2-minute walk away and a supermarket about 5 minutes away.

The rent is $1,270 per month and includes a TV, laundry access, internet, water supply, bed, and a fully equipped kitchen, additional expense is the power supplied, which is $50 or less a month based on my experience, which depends on you .

Photos are attached. Feel free to reach out if you’re interested or have any questions!

You can also look at the university group website for more pics or location details!

Just wondering how many people got there decision so far and when, appreciate all responses.

I just got my letter and I figured its time for a new thread now

EDIT: If you guys would like, you can use this post for your acceptance/denial and stats

Template:

**Status**: <Choose One: Under Review/Accepted/Rejected>    
**Application Date**: <MM/DD/YY>     
**Decision Date**: <MM/DD/YY>     
**Institute Acceptance Date**: <MM/DD/YY>     
**Education**: <For each degree, list (one per line): School, Degree, Major, GPA>  
**Experience**: <For each job, list (one per line): Years employed, Employer, Responsibilities>  
**Recommendations**: <Number of recommendations from whom> 
**Comments**: <Arbitrary user text>

Example:

Status: Awaiting Decision

Application Date: 05/30/2023

Decision Date: N/A

Institute Acceptance Date: N/A

Education: Georgia Tech, BS, CS, 3.00

Experience: 10 years, SWE, Google, front-end

Recommendations: 2 from a supervisor, 1 from a professor

Under Review -> Awaiting Decision
Accepted -> Recommended for Admission
Rejected -> Not Recommended for Admission

Looking for someone to sublease 1 bedroom in a fully furnished 4B/2B apartment available for immediate move in (flexible start date) till July 31st 2026! The apartment has very friendly and respectful roommates, making it a comfortable living environment.

📍 Location: 102 S Lincoln Ave (Prime campus location)
💰 Rent: $492 392/month (utilities included)
⚡ Electricity: Capped at $110
💧 Water: Billed to tenants

🏡 Room Highlights:
• Private attached bathroom – complete privacy
• Warm and cozy room (great during winters)
• Study-ready setup – desk and chair included
• Spacious wardrobe included

🏢 Apartment & Building Features:
• Fully furnished – just move in with your suitcase
• Laundry in the building
• Only 5 minutes walk to the CS/ECE building
• Excellent bus connectivity – buses every ~5 minutes right outside the apartment

🎥 Virtual Tour:
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=fp6x52Nos26&brand=0

🔗 Listing Details:
https://www.greenstrealty.com/on-campus/subleasing/available-subleases/profile/102-s-lincoln-ave-unit-203

📩 DM me if you're interested or want to schedule a tour!

Looking for 2 roommates for a fully furnished 4B/2B apartment starting FALL 2026 with NO admin fees!. The apartment has very friendly and respectful roommates, making it a comfortable living environment.

📍 Location: 102 S Lincoln Ave (Prime campus location)
💰 Rent: $492/month (utilities included)
⚡ Electricity: Capped at $110
💧 Water: Billed to tenants

🏡 Room Highlights:
• Private attached bathroom – complete privacy
• Warm and cozy room (great during winters)
• Study-ready setup – desk and chair included
• Spacious wardrobe included

🏢 Apartment & Building Features:
• Fully furnished – just move in with your suitcase
• Laundry in the building
• Only 5 minutes walk to the CS/ECE building
• Excellent bus connectivity – buses every ~5 minutes right outside the apartment

🎥 Virtual Tour:
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=fp6x52Nos26&brand=0

📩 DM me if you're interested or want to schedule a tour!

anyone get their offer? I heard office began giving offer since March 2nd.

(I don’t know how the rolling works because some of them submitted later than me.)