Unboxing Graduate School Application Results and Reflections
This article summarizes the journey of applying to graduate school, including the excitement of unboxing acceptance letters, dealing with rejections, and the challenges faced along the way. It also provides some helpful advice for prospective graduate students.
Application Strategy and Initial Results
The applicant describes feeling nervous and implementing an "escape strategy" to avoid dwelling on rejection letters. The first school result received was from the MPCS program at the University of Chicago. Since this program didn't require a Statement of Purpose (SOP), the applicant was not particularly confident.
First Acceptance!
The first acceptance came from Northeastern University's Master of Science in Computer Science program at the Silicon Valley campus. The applicant expresses relief and excitement at receiving an offer after worrying about facing only rejections.
More Decisions: Cornell Tech, Cornell, and UCI
The applicant then reviews decisions from other schools, starting with Cornell Tech and Cornell University. Cornell Tech resulted in a rejection. The applicant was surprised and pleased to receive an acceptance from Cornell University’s Jacobs Technion-Cornell dual master's degree in Connective Media program. The unique wording of the offer, emphasizing the applicant's choice, was especially appreciated.
Following Cornell, the applicant received an acceptance from the Master of Software Engineering program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).
Rejections and Perseverance
The applicant shares results from RISE (a highly competitive school), UT Austin (MSIS program), and UMass Amherst, all of which were rejections. Despite these rejections, the applicant remained determined and focused on the remaining applications.
Surprise Acceptance from UW-Madison
A surprise acceptance was received from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Computer Science MS Professional Program. This was a particularly exciting result, as the program is highly competitive and well-regarded.
More Results: UPenn, CMU, NYU, and UIUC
The applicant reveals the results from the University of Pennsylvania's MCIT program (rejection), Carnegie Mellon University's SVSE program (awaiting updates), New York University's CS program (waiting for news), and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's MCS program (awaiting updates).
Final Acceptances and Summary
The applicant received an acceptance from Virginia Tech (VT) for the Master of Engineering in Computer Science and Applications program. Subsequently, the applicant received an acceptance with a $5,000 per year scholarship from New York University (NYU) for the Master's in Computer Engineering program.
Overall Outcome
The applicant applied to 20 schools and received 6 offers, including one waitlist. The results included acceptances to several highly ranked programs, a mix of Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, and Computer Engineering programs. Three of the offers included scholarships.
Reflection on the Application Process
The applicant reflects on the challenges of preparing for graduate school applications while working full-time, taking classes, and completing coursework. This required significant effort and time management. The applicant also describes the initial fear of asking for advice due to a non-traditional background and the discouraging comments encountered online.
Key Takeaways and Advice
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Believe in your unique qualities: The applicant emphasizes the importance of believing in one's own special qualities and experiences.
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Craft a compelling SOP: A significant amount of time and effort was invested in writing effective Statements of Purpose (SOPs). This included seeking feedback from numerous professionals, including native English speakers and professional writers.
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Translate experiences into a narrative: Connecting awards, competitions, club involvement, and leadership experience to a cohesive narrative is important for standing out.
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Don't be discouraged by negative comments: The applicant avoided negative comments online and focused on personal goals.
Humiliating Experience with an Advisor
The applicant shares a story about being humiliated by an advisory panel after applying. The advisor dismissed the applicant's chances of acceptance and recommended less competitive programs. This experience highlighted the importance of self-belief and not being discouraged by others' opinions.