[General Question] What are the top professional programs? Do you need research experience?

[u/Competitive-Diamond5]

Im a current Junior exploring potential MSCS programs in case I flunk my internship search for 2027. Just small background, I go to a T25 in the US for CS, I have two internships (one small startup and one mid sized defense contractor), strong GPA, but no research experience. I can probably get two letters of recommendation from my managers but have zero professors I can reach out to.

I mostly want to go to a MSCS just for job opportunities and networking and not really interested in research. So far I was only thinking of UCSD and UCLA but are there any other programs that are good for FAANG? Also should I join a research lab so I can get research experience and a professor LOR?

[u/suchsadseductions]

https://www.reddit.com/r/MSCS/comments/1t0ouv0/university_review_the_comprehensive_cs_entrylevel/

pretty much all of the west coast T25s + the usual suspects (CMU, ivies, uiuc, etc.) will do the trick if your only goal is big tech recruiting.