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Modeler · 08-26-2007, 08:26 AM

Hello all (which appears to be primarily Raza on this particular forum),

My profile is as such:
University - College of William and Mary
GRE - Math 800, Verbal 710, awaiting AWA
GPA - 3.65 overall, 3.85 in CS
Research - Cellular Automata modeling of Spatial Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma (as part of a math REU at Texas A & M)
LOR: Should be strong, the only downside being that the letter that will most strongly recommend me will come from a chemistry professor
Research Interests: Modeling, Scientific Computing, Machine Learning

As the title indicates, I was wondering how much I am hurt when applying to top programs for having only a 3.4 in my math classes, (multivariable calc, differential equations, discrete math, linear algebra, real analysis). Also, at the schools that recommend but don't require the CS subject GRE, how high would I have to score on it for it to improve my application? Given my profile what are an appropriate range of rankings of CS programs to consider?

raza5680 · 08-27-2007, 06:15 AM

Hey,
Hello all (which appears to be primarily Raza on this particular forum)
It is weird why CS Admissions forum is so dull.
It depends on how many schools you are applying to. You have a decent profile and you can get into a top 20 school even a top 10 if you execute your application well. I would not recommend LOR from a Chemistry professor unless that particular course/project invloved computing then it would be a big plus. If you give GRE subject and getting around 80 percentile, It will strengthen your case for a top 10 school.
Good luck

CalmLogic · 09-03-2007, 03:14 AM

Yeah, for the Computer Science Subject Test, it seems 80th percentile is a lot harder to get now than it was maybe 10 years ago. The ETS booklets from the last 10 years seem to show this deflation in the awarded percentile relative to the same formula/raw score.

Modeler · 09-03-2007, 08:32 AM

That is an interesting finding indeed. Logically an 80th percentile is an 80 percentile and the relative difficulty should remain constant. Has the pool of test takers shifted dramatically (perhaps improved undergraduate preparation), or has the test's difficulty changed?

omaradib · 09-03-2007, 05:01 PM

I "guess" both. Though no certain idea, but it is likely and expected from ETS.

08-26-2007, 08:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Modeler Eager! Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 74	How Important are Math Grades? Profile eval... Hello all (which appears to be primarily Raza on this particular forum), My profile is as such: University - College of William and Mary GRE - Math 800, Verbal 710, awaiting AWA GPA - 3.65 overall, 3.85 in CS Research - Cellular Automata modeling of Spatial Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma (as part of a math REU at Texas A & M) LOR: Should be strong, the only downside being that the letter that will most strongly recommend me will come from a chemistry professor Research Interests: Modeling, Scientific Computing, Machine Learning As the title indicates, I was wondering how much I am hurt when applying to top programs for having only a 3.4 in my math classes, (multivariable calc, differential equations, discrete math, linear algebra, real analysis). Also, at the schools that recommend but don't require the CS subject GRE, how high would I have to score on it for it to improve my application? Given my profile what are an appropriate range of rankings of CS programs to consider?

09-03-2007, 03:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
CalmLogic TestMagic Guru Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,571	Yeah, for the Computer Science Subject Test, it seems 80th percentile is a lot harder to get now than it was maybe 10 years ago. The ETS booklets from the last 10 years seem to show this deflation in the awarded percentile relative to the same formula/raw score. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Admit Profiles, MSCS Admit Chances, CS Internships, TopCoder, Programming Challenges (requires Firefox) Applying to Ph.D. Programs in Computer Science *GRE Computer Science Subject Test:* ETS Booklet (solutions at Yahoo GRECS group), MFT, Titanium Bits, Guide, More Links more CS practice: Stanford Comps GATE CS/IT: GATEForum, Yahoo, Freshers, Q & A, Mock Exams & Solutions, GATEMentor

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08-27-2007, 06:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
raza5680 Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 370	Hey, Hello all (which appears to be primarily Raza on this particular forum) It is weird why CS Admissions forum is so dull. It depends on how many schools you are applying to. You have a decent profile and you can get into a top 20 school even a top 10 if you execute your application well. I would not recommend LOR from a Chemistry professor unless that particular course/project invloved computing then it would be a big plus. If you give GRE subject and getting around 80 percentile, It will strengthen your case for a top 10 school. Good luck

09-03-2007, 08:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
Modeler Eager! Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 74	That is an interesting finding indeed. Logically an 80th percentile is an 80 percentile and the relative difficulty should remain constant. Has the pool of test takers shifted dramatically (perhaps improved undergraduate preparation), or has the test's difficulty changed?

09-03-2007, 05:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
omaradib Eager! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 83	I "guess" both. Though no certain idea, but it is likely and expected from ETS.

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