Will Subject GRE (CS) helpful to me ?

[ashutosh_g]

Hello All,

I have been following this group for the past few days, in order to decide if Subject GRE (CS) will be helpful to me to get admission for MS (CS) for Fall 2k9 (possibly with some kind of funding).

I have already given general GRE & TOEFL. Scores are,
GRE : 1220/ 1600 (Q : 770/800 V : 450/800 AWM : 4/6)
TOEFL(iBT) : 105/120.

I am currently working as a software developer (with three years of experience.). I have done B.E. in Computer Science (from not so well known University).

After reading some of the earlier posts, I came to know that good research work (publications etc.) often takes precedence over any standardized tests. But I have been away from the academia for quite some time now & am not sure if I will be able do any worthwhile research to strengthen my application. On the other hand, I feel much more confident about the subject GRE, since my Computer Science fundamentals are strong. (I have given GATE (CS) twice - scoring more than 95 percentile each time.)

So I am a bit confused as to where I should focus? - Subject GRE or writing a paper (for publication)? Do the top universities in US accept a candidate with a good subject GRE score, but without a lot of research experience for MS (CS)? What generally are the criteria for deciding the funding?

[CalmLogic]

Do the top universities in US accept a candidate with a good subject GRE score, but without a lot of research experience for MS (CS)? What generally are the criteria for deciding the funding?

If you want to apply to UT Austin or Rutgers, I would recommend the GRECS exam since they seem to really value the GRECS exam. Otherwise, it's debatable what you should do, especially since it's hard to compare without knowing what percentile you will get on the GRECS and not knowing if you would get accepted at an international conference/journal.

What was your GPA and/or rank in CS as an undergrad?

Personally, since I don't have a very strong CS background, I would focus on a publication (even a short 2-page poster paper) to an international conference. Even if it doesn't get published/presented, one could attach it to the application and have at least one recommender mention it in glowing terms.

But since you did so well on the GATE exam, taking the GRECS seems just as good, if not better. Of course, these options are not mutually exclusive, so you could spend most of your time working on the publication and spend several hours a week from now until November studying for the GRECS exam. (Technically, there is nothing to lose by taking the GRECS exam except $130 and study time since one does not have to report one's scores.)

What generally are the criteria for deciding the funding?

A strong computer science background, which is demonstrated in various ways (GPA, difficulty and range of CS courses, LORs, project/work/research experience, latest GRECS score, etc.).

A publication tends to focus on a rather narrow area, so maybe the GRECS would be better for landing a TA position and a publication would be better for getting an RA position. That's just a guess, though, and each school and each professor has at least a slightly different perspective.

I would recommend contacting the CS graduate advisors at a few of the universities you may be interested in to get their recommendation about what is best for landing funding at those particular schools. For example, at some schools it's much easier for MS students to get TA positions. So, in that case, you would want to ask if the GRECS or a publication would likely be more helpful for getting a TA position. You may also want to ask them if they will consider your GATE exam scores seriously. If they do, taking the GRECS exam may be slightly less advantageous if they are already impressed by your GATE scores while getting a GRECS score that is anywhere near 90th percentile is very hard to do.

[ashutosh_g]

Hello CalmLogic,

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply

Well, my university does not calculate GPA, but I have got distinction (the highest grade conferred by my university) & was also ranked among the top 10 consistently during my undergrads. Also, I was awarded a scholarship for the entire duration of course (i.e. 4 years).

I will contact CS graduate advisors to know what is important for them, while continue preparing for GRESCS.

[ankit.bit.73]

hi,
i m a 4th year student of BE biotech frm BIT MESRA ranchi.i wanna pursue MS in CS.i hav 7.2 cgpa,hav cleared SCJP n OCA certifications,also is doin a project in cs.m plannin 2 giv subject gre in cs.i hop 2 get a high %tile in dat(more den 97) .so wat r my chances of gettin admission in gud university wid complete assistanceship??wat else shud i do 2 enhance my chances???m plannin 2 work 4 a yr or 2 in IT company wud dat b of help???