stefanbehr

Do you have specific questions? Keep in mind that I'm not a student in the program. I applied and was admitted to it back in 2011, but I went somewhere else. I'm familiar with UC in general, though.

I was admitted, and also received a $10000 internal scholarshop my first year. I'm currently in my second year. It's a very solid program. I would give it serious consideration if I were you.

Hey again Sam, As far as MS programs, UChicago's CSPP and UPenn's MCIT are the only ones I know of which seem to be rather accessible to those without undergrad degrees in CS. There are programs, like Stanford's MS program in CS, which technically don't require a background in computer science, but I've heard that it's highly unlikely for applicants to programs like that to gain admission without at least having extensive self-study in CS and programming, and perhaps some individual courses in subjects like data structures, algorithms, computer architecture, etc. A possible option for you would be to apply to Brandeis's Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in CS, and to either stay on after getting the certificate to complete the second part of their Combined Post-Baccalaureate/MA Program in CS, or to seek admission to an MS program in CS after completing just the certificate. Tufts also has a Post-Baccalaureate Minor Program in Computer Science for people without backgrounds in CS looking to change fields, which I believe could definitely give you a lot of help getting into a decent/good MSCS program which requires some CS experience for admission. One main suggestion that others have given me in the past—before I set my heart on applying to UChicago, since it's my alma mater, and since I believe that the CSPP is a good program for my needs/wants, housed in a damn good CS department—was to try to take some fundamental CS courses as a non-degree student at a local university, and to then apply to MS programs in CS, having shown your potential for study in CS.

Hi Sam, Sorry for taking so long to get back to your post. Please excuse the longwindedness that is about to follow. Quick note: Some of the stuff I write about the program you might already know from reading the website, but I'm trying to give you a definitive view of the program, including both regurgitated info from its website and things I've learned from digging deeper, checking out professor evaluations, talking to the program's Student Support Representative, etc. To start off, the program is geared in part towards people who don't have any or much prior exposure to courses in computer science. For this, they have their Immersion Phase, which consists of approximately 3 months during the summer of mathematics and programming coursework, separated into two distinct courses—Concepts of Programming, and Math for Computer Science. You may be able to have part or all of this component of the degree waived if you've had enough of either subject in your previous degree programs. Personally, though I've had several intro CS courses and quite a bit of self-study in programming and CS, I'm excited for this component, since it's supposed to be quite rigorous (the professor who does the math component is good and tough). Beyond the Immersion Phase, the curriculum consists of 9 required courses. At least five of these courses must come from the following five areas of computer science: theory, databases, networking, programming, and systems. The remaining four can be distributed across whichever areas of computer science you desire. This essentially means that you're going to have to take the following in order to get your degree: 55001 Algorithms (theory); 54001 Networks (networking); 53001 Databases (databases); 51036 Java Programming OR 51085 Applied Parallel Programming OR 51044 C/C++ for Advanced Programmers (programming); and 52011 Introduction to Computer Systems OR 51081 Unix Systems Programming OR 51023 OO Architecture, Design & Methodology OR 51075 Enterprise Data Architecture: Context and Methods (systems). For your four electives, you're allowed to choose from remaining CSPP courses (those numbered 50000 and above) for which you've met the prerequisites. You can also choose to take CMSC courses numbered 20000 and above, which are technically University of Chicago undergraduate and graduate computer science courses (graduate courses start at 30000). These courses are actually generally tougher than CSPP courses (with some exceptions), since they're geared towards either CS undergrads or Ph.D. students, and you need to either meet the appropriate prerequisites or obtain instructor consent in order to take them (I've generally had good experiences asking professors of somewhat advanced UChicago undergrad CS courses if I could take their classes without prereqs). If you do choose to take CMSC courses instead of CSPP courses as part of your four electives, only two of those CMSC courses numbered 20000 or above can be applied toward your degree requirements, and the other two electives must be CSPP courses (with exceptions sometimes made, as I've understood it, either for exceptional students or by special written request, or both). By the way, the CSPP is totally fine with you taking as many CMSC 20000+ courses as you want (and however many extra CSPP courses as you want, for that matter). The only question is how many of either can be applied toward your progress toward graduation. (Personally, I'm planning on doing the Immersion Phase, 7 CSPP courses, and 5 CMSC courses over the course of two years.) Depending on how long you have/want to take to finish the degree, I believe you can take up to 3 years (don't quote me on that). I'm sure you can take at least 2 years to finish, and that the degree is doable in just one year. The tuition per course is $4451 (last I looked), so the program should end up costing you between $40059 and $48961 before fees and room and board, depending on whether or not you do the Immersion Phase. As for your desire to become a software engineer, it looks to me like the program offers a number of courses focused on software engineering methodology and the like. The theory, networks, databases, and systems components, in my opinion, are indispensable for making you into a good software engineer (not to mention the math and programming education that you'll get in the Immersion Phase if you don't already have those foundations). Many of the CMSC 20000+ courses (e.g., Programming Languages, Operating Systems, Implementation of Computer Languages, Computer Architecture, etc.), many would argue, would also help make you a good software engineer. It's worth mentioning that at least one of the lecturer's that I know of has close ties in industry, which could end up being very valuable to you. Specifically, the lecturer for the Networks course is a software engineer at Google Chicago. When you finish the program, you'll be graduating with a Masters of Science in Computer Science. Hmm, what else? CSPP classes (except for 1/2-credit elective lab classes, it seems) are held on weeknights, from 5:30 to 8:30, in either Ryerson or Eckhart, which are on the University's main campus, in Hyde Park, on the south side of Chicago (about 7 miles south of Chicago's Loop). Sorry if you're from/live in Chicago and already know that... Anyway, that's pretty much all I can think of to tell you about the program for now. Please let me know if you have more questions about it. When I hear back from them about their admission decision, I'll let you know the result and my profile.

Everyone's curious about Harvard MSCS but nobody has news. :) Ha, I wish I could be the one to give some news about getting accepted into a program like that. :)

Thanks, CalmLogic! It was a very pleasant surprise! And I must say I'm with you on the MCIT, so I probably won't be applying. I was thinking about doing it mostly as a way to rapidly segue into their MSE program, since you can apply after completing enough MCIT courses for a significantly heightened chance of admission. However, that would be almost twice as expensive as just the MCIT degree, which is just too much even by itself. I just finished my UChicago CSPP app (less a few letters of recommendation that are on their way), and I'm rather confident about my chances. I've also done a lot of research about the program, and there are a lot of aspects about it which I really like, despite the fact that it's marketed as a professional program. I can write up a summary of the useful information I've gathered about it, if anyone's interested.

Rejected from CMU's LTI for a Masters in Language Technologies. IN at Georgetown for their MS program in computational linguistics! Waiting to hear from UW Seattle's Professional Masters Program in Computational Linguistics. Almost done applying to the University of Chicago's Computer Science Professional Program (MSCS). Still considering applying to the University of Pennsylvania's MCIT program, but probably not if I get into Chicago.

I'm applying to the CSPP right now, so I'm wondering what people's opinions are about terminal/professional masters programs in CS, specifically whether or not they close doors in academia, even if you do get to do some research during the program. I know someone who's a student in the program right now (he's one of the more serious students), and he's currently doing some research having to do with physics software. If I were to be admitted, I would take the program very seriously, and would also seek research opportunities right off the bat, probably in computational linguistics (supposedly the CSPP faculty are pretty helpful in trying to connect interested students, of which there don't seem to be many, with appropriate research opportunities). My end goal after the program would be to be able to attend a doctoral program (or masters, if need be) in computational linguistics (e.g., at CMU's LTI, UW Seattle, Johns Hopkins, etc.). Opinions on whether or not admission to a good school in that area could be possible with an MSCS from UChicago, plus some research experience, and hopefully at least one paper? By the way, if I get in, I would likely stay for two years, to take advantage of the allowance for taking courses in the CS dept. proper at the advanced undergrad/grad level, such as machine learning, AI, speech processing, computer vision, programming languages, theory of computation, etc. So my potential for research opportunities and producing papers would thusly be enhanced.

I've just recently learned of the MCIT program at UPenn, and I'm considering applying (my major was in linguistics). However, my goal in going into the program would be to do the 6 core courses (or waive some or all of them if possible, doing CIS courses instead), and then apply directly to their CIS MSE program. Supposedly, if your MCIT grades are good enough, it's probably rather easy to switch. Here's the webpage that outlines the procedure for switching. So, opinions on trying for the MCIT program in order to be able to do the MSE program, mostly due to a lack of CS background (ignoring the cost involved, btw)?

This was also the case for me, and quite probably for everyone. I believe I recall something like this happening on a practice test, too. (The answer key showed a dash for some questions, rather than a letter.) My conjecture is that some questions are simply thrown out sometimes without warning to the test-takers. (Perhaps the questions were deemed poorly worded, or something like that, so close to the test date that reprinting wasn't an option. But that theory doesn't really make sense in the context of ETS's practice tests, as far as I know...)

Thanks for the comments, CalmLogic! Indeed—I figured that the chances of getting any kind of useful answer from the right people at the programs I'm applying to, and of that answer being that I shouldn't report my score, were so low that it wasn't even worth calling around to ask. Sure, that's the easy way out, but I did conclude anyway, after some deliberation, that it's best to send my scores everywhere I'm applying, mostly for the same reason you mention in your second paragraph. I see. I hadn't even thought of taking it on a different testing date. Just curious. :) Anyway, if you or anyone else is interested in an update: I've already submitted my applications to CMU (Masters in Language Technologies) and Georgetown (Masters in Computational Linguistics). UW-Seattle (professional MA program in CL) and University of Chicago (CS professional program) applications are in the works. That is the extent of my applications for Fall 2011. I've purchased Bryant and O' Hallaron's CS:APP after having started it this past summer (awesome book), and am picking up where I left off. Also got Cormen et al's Introduction to Algorithms (2nd ed.—I have no money), but that will wait a little bit until I'm done with some other learning. I'll be watching the MIT algorithms course through Open Course Ware (as taught in 2005) in conjunction with reading the book, which will be awesome. So, everyone, don't stop studying and learning when you're done with the exam (if you are in fact done/have stopped studying)! Keep going because you love it! :)

Just called for my scores over the phone, even though I told myself a while ago that I wouldn't waste the $12. Curiosity got the better of me! Scored a 610, in the 16th percentile. I'm not proud of the percentile, but I'm fairly happy with the score, especially considering how much the intensity of my studying waned a few weeks before the exam (grumble at myself). Profile: BA in linguistics at the University of Chicago 3.34 overall GPA, 3.30 major GPA no idea of class rank no thesis no papers over a year of research exp in a phonology lab worked for University's IT group for over a year ~5 CS courses (intro to CS [P], web programming x2 [A and A-], intro programming for ling [A], discrete math [withdrew]) 800Q/760V/4.0A on GRE Good recommendations from two linguistics faculty members (did research with one; had 4 classes with the other, who is also a respected researcher and a fairly close colleague of the first recommender) and one senior researcher in psychology I'm applying to 4 (maybe 5) programs: CMU's MS in language technologies program Georgetown's MS in computational linguistics program UW-Seattle's computational linguistics professional program (MA) The University of Chicago's computer science professional program (MS in CS) I'm also thinking about the MS in CS at Rutger's, but that's probably too ambitious and a waste of an application. Question 1: Any comments as to how much this score may help me? (I'm guessing it can't hurt me much more now than my lack of CS courses already will.) Question 2: Am I right to assume that our percentiles are being calculated based on absolutely everyone's test scores from the CS exam from the November 2010 test date? It would be fairly illogical to me for that to not be the case, but it can't hurt to check.

Just got off the phone with an ETS rep, since I needed to check on a few things regarding score mailing dates. I was told that scores will be online, as well as ready to be mailed, on the 24th of December. Hope this information is useful to someone on here!

Hi all, I've posted before in the computer science graduate admissions forum, where I mentioned that I'm studying for the November 13, 2010 GRECS exam. I don't have an undergraduate degree in CS, and only a few CS college courses, so, I have my work cut out for me (and only 25 days left to do it!). Anyway, I just finished a practice test today, correctly timed and everything. I believe it was the 2001 practice exam. Here are the results: attempted: 51/70 left blank (didn't want to risk points): 19/70 correct: 32/51 incorrect: 19/51 raw score: 27 scaled (according to scale in the practice booklet): 630 percentile (really out of date, again, from the booklet): 39th Any word on whether or not that's an okay score/percentile for a non-CS major in the eyes of admissions committees, especially for applications to masters programs in computational linguistics? Thanks!

Yeah, I'm definitely not going to go the BSCS route, I've decided (once again). I'd just be way better off taking 6 or so core CS courses (I'm currently planning on including an NLP course in that number, and then perhaps a stats course to make for 7 courses), preferably at UIUC, working part-time the whole time, acing the classes, retaking the GRECS and hopefully doing better, and then reapplying to places/applying to new places. So far, for this round, I've only settled for sure on applying to CMU and Georgetown's respective CL/NLP programs. Honestly, though, is it an assured waste of money to apply to Stanford's MSCS? Like, do I just not get that it's still really hard to get in, even with a CS degree, and despite what people say about it being of a "pay your way" nature?