What is CS
Computer Science (abbreviated CS) is a field that systematically studies the theoretical foundations of information and computation, along with practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems. It is often described as the systematic study of algorithmic processes that create, describe, and transform information. Computer science encompasses many subfields: some focus on the computation of specific results, such as computer graphics; some explore the nature of computational problems, like computational complexity theory; others focus on how to achieve computation, such as programming language theory which studies methods of describing computation, while programming is the application of specific programming languages to solve particular computational problems, and human-computer interaction focuses on making computers and computation useful, usable, and universally accessible.
The major branches of computer science in the U.S. are broadly divided into ten areas:
Software Engineering, Databases, Computer Networks, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Graphics and Multimedia, Architecture/Compilers and Parallel Computing, Human-Computer Interaction, Management Information Systems, Information Security, and Theory and Algorithms.
How to Apply?
1. TOEFL/GRE Scores
For international students applying to U.S. universities, the minimum TOEFL score is 95+ (old TOEFL), but in practice, a score of 100+ is often needed for top 10 computer science programs. Since computer science is widely applied, most domestic applicants in the U.S. tend to pursue master's degrees, while academic doctoral applications often involve competition among international students. Therefore, an excellent TOEFL score is indispensable.
For the GRE, besides taking the GRE General Test, it is recommended that applicants also take the GRE Subject Test in Computer Science if possible. The minimum required combined verbal and quantitative score is typically around 320, which demonstrates professional competence and helps gain favorable consideration from schools.
2. GPA
Although most top-10 U.S. universities claim that a GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is sufficient to apply, successful applicants to top-10 CS master's programs typically have a GPA of at least 3.6, with some schools reporting an average incoming GPA as high as 3.8.
3. Research Papers Are Very Important
When applying for a U.S. master's degree, it's essential to understand what admissions committees value. The primary criterion is your research ability—whether you can contribute to the professor's work. While measuring research ability solely by publications may seem overly rigid, that's largely how it works in practice. Because when it comes to projects, you can talk about them however you like, and most foreign professors are not familiar with domestic projects.
4. Letters of Recommendation
For computer science applications, admissions officers do pay attention to recommendation letters. If your recommender is well-known, or if the recommending professor is highly conscientious, or if the content is well-organized, these letters can be quite important.
Personal Statement Writing
Compared to non-STEM programs, applicants to CS/CE programs have relatively uniform backgrounds—the majority are graduates of CS or related undergraduate majors, with a small number switching fields, but most have a solid CS background.
In personal statements, the content commonly written about includes academic projects; many also have experience in modeling or programming competitions, and some have actual internship experience. Since CS programs primarily emphasize academic background, we need to write about at least one academic project or academic competition. The rest can be based on the applicant's actual experience, describing another academic project or internship.
1. How to Write a Compelling Opening?
Typical CS applicants all have some degree of formal CS background: most come from CS undergraduate programs or double majors, or from closely related engineering fields like electronics or mechanics, or from science majors with a foundation in computing. Thus, applicants often have a certain connection to the CS field. For example:
Another type of applicant is those who switched from other science or engineering fields. They have gained sufficient experience in their previous studies and work, and have developed their abilities in CS. When writing, in addition to highlighting the relevant knowledge they acquired in their original major, we should especially emphasize their efforts in the CS field.
2. How to Write About Academic Projects Well
Academic projects are the most common type of experience for CS students. The CS major itself has numerous course projects, and some students also do extracurricular projects. Transfer students have also likely taken CS courses and completed major assignments, so there is an abundance of material on academic projects. Similarly, every school has its own programming/modeling competitions, which typically require participants to research and solve a problem within a limited time and then compare results. CS majors usually have experience in such competitions.
With these materials, how do we write about a project or competition effectively?
Let's illustrate through some concrete examples.
3. How to Write About an Internship Experience Well
The ideal experience is working in a tech role at a technology company, where you participated in the development and maintenance of software projects:
Voltmax Technology Inc.
Digital Market Assistant 08/17 - present
· Used Python to extract and analyze the most often used keywords of our products on Amazon
· Increased monthly sales by 12% by replacing keywords
· Invented an online inventory system to track the inventories and log the proper entries on the accounts
Usually, a real internship experience includes a learning component: learning the tools used by the company, understanding legacy code, or even learning a new language—all are possible. The ability to learn quickly is an essential skill for programmers. Additionally, programming internships are project-based and typically yield a project outcome. When writing the personal statement, we need to fully describe everything the applicant handled and the results achieved. This includes the programming languages, tools, and environment used, the applicant's role in the project, and the final outcomes. Since the process of such internship projects involves solving real-world problems, the ability to learn, execute, and correct mistakes during problem-solving must be emphasized.
4. How to Write About a Competition Experience Well
Competitions: Many schools host CS-related academic competitions, such as the MCM/ICM (Mathematical Contest in Modeling), ACM programming contest, Hackathons, Kaggle competitions, and more. When we see competition experiences like this on a resume:
Kaggle Competition Irvine, CA
Machine Learning Project
· Worked in a group of 2 to predict rainfall using satellite-based measurements of cloud temperature
· Implemented linear, gradient boosting and random forest models with Python
· Achieved 0.769 area under receiver operating characteristic curve
These experiences share many similarities with academic projects. Generally, such competitions require students to complete a set task within a very short time, testing both their foundational knowledge and their ability to perform under pressure.
5. How to Write a Strong Conclusion?
In reality, for a CS graduate student, the most important issue is employment. Joining top IT companies like FLAG (Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon, Google) is a common goal. If someone wants further development, they may choose to pursue a Ph.D. in CS.
Of course, when writing the CS graduate application essay, we shouldn't be this straightforward; we need to write what the schools want to see. For applicants with strong professional experience, the conclusion can mention the specialized area they intend to focus on in graduate school. Common examples include AI and Machine Learning; more advanced ones might include Embedded Programming.
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