I have problem with admissions!

[HSN]

Hello,

I'm glad to find such a good forum!!
I'm an international student and applied for several universities about a year ago for MS admission. I was rejected by all except Kansas State University gave me a provisional admission!! My friend with almost the same qualifications got a bit better admissions. Now, I'm about to finish my MS and looking for a better school to pursue my PhD.

Can anybody advise me how to get admission in some better schools which provide more areas of research and courses?

My current focus is Network Security.

[w_guy]

i think it should be quite obvious.
better grades, better publications, better recommendations, better GRE, better resume.

[CalmLogic]

i think it should be quite obvious.

Until one gets rejected , e.g. research papers may be more more important than GPA, GRE is more like a filter, etc.

Now, I'm about to finish my MS and looking for a better school to pursue my PhD.

How much time before you apply? Are you applying for Fall 2009? In any case, since you are about done with the MS, I would aim to get a best paper award or just publish more.

For more info about research potential being the most important factor (especially at the top schools):

Q: What’s the secret to being admitted to UC Berkeley?
A: Our Ph.D. admissions are based primarily on research potential. If you can demonstrate in your application that you have strong research potential, it will make a difference. The best way to demonstrate that is to do a lot of interesting research. If you've written any published papers, include them in your application. Videos or web pointers to software systems ¾ especially if they demonstrate novel research ¾ will also help a lot. The point is to demonstrate that you love research; such people are especially welcome. Also, strong letters from people who know your work well help. Of course, if the person writing the letter is someone our faculty knows, that letter will be given extra weight, but it is better to get a strong letter from someone who knows your work well than a lukewarm letter from someone famous who doesn’t know your work well.

I'd like to emphasize that this advice is not just for students applying to Berkeley, but for students applying to any research university CS program. I know first hand that evidence of strong research ability is welcomed by faculty and Berkeley and CMU, and based on discussions with faculty at a wide range of universities, I can assure you that the same is true at other top computer science universities throughout the US, Canada, and Western Europe.

Tygar:* FAQ for Applicants

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~harchol/gradschooltalk.pdf

[HSN]

I know that it should be obvious . But my friend didn't have any publications and he had the same GPA and a bit higher GRE

Anyway, is that number of publication that matters or their quality?
I'm thinking of applying for Fall 2009. So, I don't have too much time! I don't think more than 2 good papers ready to publish could be the outcome of this period.

[CalmLogic]

Anyway, is that number of publication that matters or their quality?

Certainly, I would hope quality is more important than quantity, considering that only 10 percent (or less) of papers are heavily cited. I just don't know how much more important it is. There isn't enough time for your papers to be cited (as a measure of quality), but there are best student paper awards and, more easily, having your recommenders comment on the quality.

You already will have a master's thesis (I hope), so that is already a major advantage over most other applicants.

[HSN]

So I guess, I'll need to hold my applications until I write up my thesis at least.

Thanks a lot for your help.
Any schools you recommend me to apply for?

[CalmLogic]

Originally Posted by HSN

Any schools you recommend me to apply for?

Nothing specific somes to mind for network security since that is not something I know about. However, I would think GA Tech would be good for network security while not being almost impossible regarding PhD admission (unlike CMU, Berekely, etc.)

Regarding importance of various factors, I just read this, which also emphasizes research more than coursework:

Q: What does it take to get accepted into the PhD program?
A: The four areas we weigh are, in rough order of importance: letters of recommendation, your record of projects or research, undergraduate institution and transcript, and GRE scores.

Q: What do you look for in letters?
A: First we consider the source of the letter. A letter from your cousin who happens to teach at a two-year college is weighed significantly less than a letter from a researcher at a top computer science school! Next, we look for evidence of research potential. In particular, evidence of outstanding performance in past projects is of high importance. Somewhat less important is evidence of outstanding ability in the classroom. A good letter writer should know you well and be able to rank you very favorably in comparison with your peers.

Q: Do you look at the transcripts?
A: Yes, we do. First we look at the school. For better or for worse, it makes a large difference whether you are from a top school or a second-tier school. Your grades are also important, primarily your grades in CS courses during the last two years of undergraduate study.

Q: How do you weigh other experience, such as research, projects, or employment?
A: Previous research experience is the easiest way to be placed on the top of the applicant interest list. For this reason we encourage you to upload or send detailed information on your past research experience if you have any. Projects performed for classes, as part of a job, or on your own are also important, in particular if the projects are research-related. Make sure to include a description of these projects with your application. Previous teaching experience also improves your chances.

JHU Department of Computer Science