Hello! I’m graduating this month from a non-target university and planning to apply to MS CS programs for Fall 2027 (applications open Sept 2026).
My current target schools are UC Berkeley, Stanford, SJSU, and UC Davis. I’m aware that some of these are reaches, but I’d like to aim high while also improving my chances as much as possible.
I’d really appreciate honest feedback on what I should focus on over the next ~6–9 months to strengthen my application.
Some context:
- I have strong project experience (ML + systems + full-stack)
- Research experience with a project that’s been presented
- 2x hackathon wins
- Professors willing to write strong letters of recommendation
Main questions:
- What matters most at this point (research, publications, internships, GPA, etc.)?
- Where does my current profile likely fall short for top programs?
- What would have the highest ROI to work on before applications open?
I’m open to blunt feedback, I’d rather hear it now than during rejections later. Thanks in advance!
u/Critical_Network_935 — 4 days ago