Grad School?

[Chu]

Hello all. I'm about to go into my senior year of college now, and I am trying to figure out what I want to do after. Between the fact the economy really really sucks right now (job placement in my major was 75% last semester, and has been falling every semester since the .com crash), and the fact I am genuinely interested in what I am studying (Computer Science), I am looking into grad school. Well, a good place to start would be looking at my own. The gpa requirements for CS . . .

3.0 overall, 3.5 CS, 3.5 Math, or it hits the circular bin.

Well, ouch. 3.0 overall isn't so bad, and is actually lower then I expected; and 3.5 CS is manageable by the time I graduate (at 3.37 right now), but that 3.5 math is a killer. Looks like that's pretty much how it goes for CS grad school elsewhere. I also love the fact that I am a double major and have to work to put myself through school has NO bearing on this.

Anyways, I have a couple of question, and this seems like a good place to start asking.

#1. Are those requirements for real? I mean, I know that right now in CS something like 10-15% of people are heading to grad school, but the average math requirement for a decent grad school puts pretty much every good student I know out of the running, especially considering my school (Purdue) has a reputation for a hard math department.

#2. How are you supposed to get letters of recommendations? It is hard enough to just see my professors during office hours, and getting them to notice you enough to take note seems impossible.

#3. Exactly when in the whole college thing do you start prepping for grad school? Do people usually apply after the end of their junior year like high school, or do you wait until you actually graduate to start the whole process? I am asking because the apps make it sound like the you pretty much wait until you are done with college, but isn't that throwing caution to the wind i.e. if you don't make a good grad school, you have no job to fall back on?

#3b. I guess this goes with it, but exactly when are you supposed to take your GRE's, subject and general?

#4. Considering my current situation (3.2 overall/3.4CS/3.0MA), unless something happens in the next 2 semesters, it looks like I am just not making grad school, however, some people told me it is possible to get accepted under a probationary basis, and if after your first semester you do well enough, you are formally accepted. Anyone know how this really works?

I know this is an odd place to start asking, but considering my friends are generally clueless, it seems like a good place to start. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

-Chu

 

[white]

i'm not sure about your school's requirements, but based on experience, they aren't set in stone. you usually get your letters of rec from your profs that you know personally. If you want to go into grad school without taking any break (except for summer) then you should find out when the deadlines are and get them in before then. for me i finished up my applications during winter break of my senior year. i took the gre (they only required general) the thanksgiving before winter break. if you're not sure about getting into purdue, look into other schools. it's not a bad thing and gives you a new perspective on things. the people will be different and you can start fresh. it'll give you a chance to mature into a better student that gets noticed during lecture.

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: white
i'm not sure about your school's requirements, but based on experience, they aren't set in stone. you usually get your letters of rec from your profs that you know personally. If you want to go into grad school without taking any break (except for summer) then you should find out when the deadlines are and get them in before then. for me i finished up my applications during winter break of my senior year. i took the gre (they only required general) the thanksgiving before winter break. if you're not sure about getting into purdue, look into other schools. it's not a bad thing and gives you a new perspective on things. the people will be different and you can start fresh. it'll give you a chance to mature into a better student that gets noticed during lecture.

I'm not set on Purdue (in fact, I sorta want to get out of here), but since Purdue is mid/high average on CS grad schools, I take it their requirements are bound to be mid/high average. Frankly, if what they are asking is average, I hate to see what the top grad schools want.

 

[Ameesh]

i would go into the workplace for a few year and then decide if you think a masters is worth it.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
i would go into the workplace for a few year and then decide if you think a masters is worth it.

Not bad advice -- getting a Masters almost isn't worth it if you plan to work, and to teach you really need a PhD and an area of expertise within CS (compilers, AI, etc.).

The 3.5 Math GPA is actually a pretty reasonable requirement for graduate study: the proofs side for theory/algorithms in particular (but used in all areas) and the applied side for graphics, vision, some kinds of AI, etc.

 

[gopunk]

ah christ on a stick, i have a 3.27 in math i would have a 4.0 in math if it weren't for 2 calculus classes (took 4 other math classes).

 

[ryzmah]

#2 - talk to any professors who think might know you, ones you did well in their classes or ones who realize how interested you are in the subject. You probably have until a few weeks before the end of the fall semester to decide who you want to ask. Recommendations can have a big influence when it comes to grad school.

#3 - apply for jobs and grad schools at the same time. You should start the application process this fall (applications are likely due in january), and it won't hurt to start the job search then either. I started kind of late and it would have hurt me if I hadn't been offered a job I really wanted. If you haven't taken your GREs, sign up to take the general test in november and the subject ones needed whenever they are offered this fall.

#4 Depends on how many openings they have - they might be flexible, but you won't get funding while you're probationary.

Working, double major etc. does have a bearing - it's included in how your present yourself in your essay. There are also many schools that don't have rigid GPA standards (don't ask me which ones, I was looking at grad schools in math).