Amongst the ivy leagues, which would best fit my profile for MS in CS/HCI?
GRE: 334 (167 Q, 167 V,

Question

Amongst the ivy leagues, which would best fit my profile for MS in CS/HCI? 
GRE: 334 (167 Q, 167 V, 6 AWA)
TOEFL: scheduled
UG: 90% (B. Tech. Biotechnology)
I've read great reviews about Princeton university - any ideas about it? And also how about UPenn?
What are my chances of a scholarship?

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Your quant score is low for IVY

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Just check out the average quant score for IVY leagues you will have better idea, I can't say it will be a straight no.. but will be tough though

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

And you are applying for MS computer science?

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

I think it will be fine for you

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Give it a try with strong SOP and LORs and hope for best

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Yeah IVY league is going to be ambitious

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

But reachable

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

For CS, I think Cornell and Princeton are good. Also try for Stanford, UC BERKELEY

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Yeah and don't forget to try for Cal tech

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Yeah it focus more on mathematicial side along with computing

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Okay, you can try CMU

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Yeah all are good and quite reachable

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Just try to get good LORs and write awesome SOP

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Nice you have a good chance for admit but not sure about scholarships, try for TA/RA

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Good luck  ?

Gaurav Prajapati · Answer

Sorry  good luck!

Jayant · Answer

Cmu, ucb n georgia tech r good fr hci... If u can justify branch change then u have good chance... Also do consider IUB as safe oprion (good fr hci)... Princeton is good if u r interested in research

Varun Bhat · Answer

Just putting my two cents here, but never go according to recommended quant scores n all. The college I'm going to has a recommended score of 163-165 (WPI). I got in with a 157 in quant and 155 in verbal. A strong SOP, work experience/technical research and skillsets matter as well.

MUIZ VHORA · Answer

Why TAMU!? Although TAMU's admissions are quite random but you will get TAMU straight away based on your profile & GRE scores.

Rest of the universities you mentioned are more worth your time and effort. CMU is great for HCI. GaTech is also good and that goes without saying. I wouldn't recommend UCLA since it doesn't really belong to the kind of universities, that you intend to attend. UCB, Princeton, Cornell, you may try but always keep in mind, chances are none of them may convert. So, keep TAMU for SAFE list but keep searching for better ones.

MUIZ VHORA · Answer

Major hindrance to finding your choice of University would be your UG in Biotechnology Engineering. No matter if you bring even 100%, they might not be able to give you credit for undergraduate courses/subjects.

Your work experience says JAVA Developer for 50 months. I, personally wouldn't think of it as relevant experience. Primarily because being a JAVA Developer isn't a hardcore HCI/Robotics/AI-ML related job. (I guess) You became a developer only once you joined the company (Bank bazaar). You learned what any guy with little engineering background can with little time and effort. I do not intend to belittle you and no offences, but the universities you are interested in joining are wayyy up and you are going to compete with lot of professionals from around the world.

So, try all that you want but keep in mind. NONE OF THEM (AMBITIOUS) MIGHT CONVERT. You will have to stay fine with that when you apply.

*Based on my personal experiences but please consider my advice with a due amount of salt.

MUIZ VHORA · Answer

I planned to apply to UCLA last year. But based on some reviews from past students, it's way too expensive for the quality of education. It's only advantage is it's prime location. Your intended department might be different so, if you feel like it, have a little chat with students already there and working in the same area of expertise. G

MUIZ VHORA · Answer

If you're calculating your probability of getting into the likes of Princeton, UCB, Columbia or UPenn, I would recommend not to do so. When the admission rate is close to 10%, these ideas are bounds to be either too optimistic or wayyy too dull. The way you will be switching departments from BiotTech to CS and that too, cutting edge HCI at IVY's, it doesn't seem very much possible since it does not match your major. Moreover, your job experience isn't either in a Robotics or Automation team you could bluff about in your SOP.

That said, I would recommend you to go 'Bottoms Up' approach. Start for your SAFE one's, then moderate ones and then choose most easiest IVY (maybe one or two). Many universities may not be highly rated overall but may be excellent for HCI/ML. Try to find those instead of going for rankings.

Workload at any IVY is going to grind you down so, don't worry as long as it's a good reputed one. Instead of you choosing ivy, it's going to be a pretty challenge for the IVY's to be choosing you.

MUIZ VHORA · Answer

@jillyjulie

Bijoy Kumar Panigrahy · Answer

I would strongly discourage trying Ivy League ones. They are pedigree oriented. Moreover your background does suit little. TAMU would be best if you can get it. But it's quant requirement is around 170.

Akshat Thakkar · Answer

Depends on your work profile. If u did somthin related to comp sci then u hav a gud chance. If u want ivy tag, u can easily get into darthmouth which imo is not good. Ur quant score is great dont wrry. Cud b a problem for stanford but dont apply there. Ivys r xpensive and they dont give aid to master students so dont expect.

Akshat Thakkar · Answer

What is your work profile? What did you work on?

Akshat Thakkar · Answer

You can't switch from web design to hci. Bio info to hci is still possible. Tough for you. Don't aim for very high colleges.

Angiey Jase · Answer

@gp123 even 92nd percentile is too low? Will it be like outright rejected? Is it mandatory to have a 170 in quant?

Angiey Jase · Answer

Yes I am. I've 4 years relevant work exp

Angiey Jase · Answer

Sorry I couldn't get you. Which one would you recommend? Like even if it's ambitious

Angiey Jase · Answer

No I meant which of the ivies?

Angiey Jase · Answer

Thank you @gp123 :)

Angiey Jase · Answer

Cal tech doesn't have a stand alone MS CS program right

Angiey Jase · Answer

Yea I'm only looking for MS in CS or HCI programs because I'm a web developer by profession

Angiey Jase · Answer

Thanks again. Yes I'm trying for CMU, TAMU, GaTech and UCLA- those were the 4 I've sent my scores to via scoreselect

Angiey Jase · Answer

Sure I've a good rapport with my profs so I'm confident about the LORs

Angiey Jase · Answer

Definitely I will!!

Angiey Jase · Answer

@sam1608 duly noted and thanks for the insight.

Angiey Jase · Answer

@Vivek6 yes I did notice the importance they give to backgrounds. But like again I ask. Is a 92nd percentile score subject to outright rejection? I know a lot of ppl do get 170 in quant but mine is kinda an equal score :-D

Angiey Jase · Answer

Even 162 scores in quant have been accepted right? Would it be an outright reject without considering anything else? I've 6 in AWA + 4 years work exp in a well-known company + 90% UG with a university rank. My school records are immaculate.
Also aren't GaTech, CMU and UCLA better than TAMU? @Vivek6

Angiey Jase · Answer

Hmm quite conflicting opinions but thanks anyways for your time guys

Angiey Jase · Answer

@muiz thank you. I hoped TAMU would be a bit within reach but I got conflicting advice. May I know why UCLA is of a diff cadre from the others in your opinion?

Angiey Jase · Answer

I personally liked Princeton's program and have heard mixed reviews but I wish for more insights into the likes of UPenn and Columbia and if I'll fit in. Stanford is the highest reach I'll be attempting for but I'm debating on UCB

Angiey Jase · Answer

Thanks no I definitely do need the advice plain and straight but correction: I'm a web developer. That's why the interest in HCI

Angiey Jase · Answer

Yes I do understand that's why I'm working on the probability of getting in :) I'm primarily a web developer. The java experience is just 4 months

Angiey Jase · Answer

@muiz ah great suggestion thank you

Angiey Jase · Answer

@muiz not ML - HCI based on interactive design, app design, game design

Angiey Jase · Answer

@ATATAT besides GaTech, CMU, UCLA and TAMU do you have other suggestions? If I got GaTech I'd prefer it since I've lived close to Atlanta and loved it there so I'd choose it for the sake of familiarity. CMU is another dream one. 
What about any other suggestions? 
P.S the tuition is my least concern

Angiey Jase · Answer

@ATATAT web development: html, css, JavaScript frameworks,  UI/UX

Angiey Jase · Answer

Thank you. @UniqAlgorithm I haven't heard about IUB yet. But according to yocket it's a decent coll for average profiles. I'll look into it although job prospects are a concern. Thank you

Angiey Jase · Answer

@ATATAT don't unis offer pre requisites? Both when I contacted them/ in their FAQs they really don't mind a change of majors for the most part - difficult yes. Besides don't the HCI courses include a lot of ui/ux courses too?

Angiey Jase · Answer

@Blastburn noted thank you

Angiey Jase · Answer

@sam1608 got it thank you!

Gauri Patil · Answer

Then its not TOO ambitious for you. Its very well within your reach.

Sameer Patel · Answer

It's never a good idea to apply to Ivys when your undergrad is in a different field than what you want to pursue now (even if you have relevant work experience), trust me! What you would need is a very strong research background to get into Ivys and very strong LoRs (if your writer knows profs. in an Ivy, the scales will tip in your favor).

Sameer Patel · Answer

Georgia Tech. and CMU should be well within your reach.

Sameer Patel · Answer

@jillyjulie It's not a question about being ok with changing fields. You're definitely eligible and stand good chances among many other applicants, but you have think about your chances here. Of ~300-400 that apply for 30-40 (MS) positions in an ivy league, ~80% of applicants will have GRE scores almost the same as yours (I've seen domestic applicants' GRE scores). Of that ~90% will have an undergrad in CS. The question then arises "Why prefer you over them?" If you can somehow convince them through your SoP and LoRs, then you should consider applying to ivys.

Amongst the ivy leagues, which would best fit my profile for MS in CS/HCI? GRE: 334 (167 Q, 167 V,

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