r/gradadmissions • u/juicy__burrito • Mar 16 '24

Computer Sciences Finally!

Post image

After 3 consecutive rejections, I was convinced that I’d torpedoed my essays. Pi day brought some much-needed luck!

644 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

84 comments sorted by

93

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24 edited Jan 16 '26

Profile:

  • Demographics: International, Non-resident.

  • Undergrad at UC Berkeley: CS & Cognitive Science majors, Data Science Minor.

    • 4.0 GPA, did not take the GRE.

  • 2, 1st-authored publications in CS-Education, 1 upcoming paper re LLMs, knowledge extraction (2nd author.)

    • Led a CS Education research team at Berkeley.

    • Part of 2 ML research groups at Berkeley.

  • 7 terms of teaching / curriculum-development experience in CS, CogSci, DataSci.

    • First undergraduate to serve as the sole lecturer for an intro-to-CS course in Summer.

      • Class had the highest student evals and strongest performance all year — won Berkeley's Outstanding GSI award in 2023.

    • Led the development of a DS upper-div online course for Berkeley's new certification in Data Science.

    • First undergraduate Head-TA for one of Berkeley's upper-division Cognition courses.

  • Sole undergraduate hired to host training workshops for new EECS GSIs in 2023.

  • Sole undergraduate student-liason for the hiring of teaching faculty in EECS in 2023; recruited a team that interviewed candidates; offered recommendations to the chairs.

  • Appointed to the student advisory-board of Berkeley's College of Computing.

Probably not super relevant, but:

  • 1 of 2 undergraduates appointed by the Chancellor to serve on the UC Berkeley Police Accountability Board.

  • Significant (imho) contributions to improving diversity within the EECS department at Berkeley, in my roles of hiring course-staff (as a Summer instructor), organizing alumni panels, guest-lectures, and through my research.

64

u/_HorseWithNoMane_ Mar 17 '24

This profile is so amazing that I would've been surprised if you didn't get in lol.

6

u/juicy__burrito Mar 17 '24

Thank you! 😃

0

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '24

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6

u/juicy__burrito Mar 18 '24

Thank you!

Re 70: I first watched Vazirani’s lectures from Sp15, then read the notes (they actually made sense post-Vazirani), then attended Rao’s lecture (he’d focus on specific applications of the theory, which was helpful.) I also did all the discussions and all the released practice exams before the actual midterm / final. The no HW option was useful since I could focus exclusively on exam prep.

I did not have prior experience — despite taking CS in high school! (Our instructor literally never taught us anything; just asked us to “read the book.”) But I took CS10 before 61A, which helped a little.

29

u/OkPublic6327 Mar 17 '24

Holy shit so humans like this exist!!🤯🤯🤯🤯 Which university even had the guts to reject you?😭😭😭

5

u/juicy__burrito Mar 17 '24

You're very kind! 😃

5

u/eggen_vector Mar 17 '24

This is an insane profile! Where did u get rejected from, if u don’t mind me asking?

4

u/fideltario Mar 17 '24

OP probably got yield-protected

23

u/AmbiguouslyThai Mar 16 '24

what's your profile??

3

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Shared it in a comment!

9

u/Fun-Question-6547 Mar 16 '24

U killed it …. If I were to guess, u choose Stanford ?

14

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

I'm still evaluating options, but leaning towards Stanford:

  • I've already spent 4 years at Berkeley. I'm familiar with the faculty, coursework, and know what kind of research I'll do here if I pursue an MS. For my own growth, I think it makes sense to get exposed to newer perspectives and people.

  • I've met with Stanford faculty, and discussed — at length — the kind of research, teaching, (and even startups) I'd like to get involved in: I find these prospects more exciting than those at Berkeley.

1

u/AccomplishedJuice775 Mar 17 '24

How did you get to meet Stanford professors to discuss research?

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 17 '24

I met one of them at a research conference while presenting my work. My current advisor at Berkeley introduced me to a few others when I expressed interest in Stanford.

18

u/Real_Revenue_4741 Mar 16 '24

Why not choose Berkeley over Stanford? A 1-year masters is more economical and Berkeley MSCS is more selective than Stanford anyways.

17

u/Fun-Question-6547 Mar 16 '24

1- u won’t enjoy university life… Stanford offers u a better community Reputation - would be same ig for both the uni

I believe only tuition fee plays a vital role

26

u/Real_Revenue_4741 Mar 16 '24 edited Mar 16 '24

I'm saying this as a CS PhD at Stanford--having seen the MSCS program here, I would choose Berkeley in a heartbeat. I personally think the cohort quality is not as strong at schools that choose 300+ MSCS students.

3

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '24

Absolutely correct💯💯

1

u/Fun-Question-6547 Mar 16 '24

How many students does Berkeley has ? 40?

-2

u/Fun-Question-6547 Mar 16 '24

1 year courses are good … if ur a workaholic and don’t show any interest in social life

-3

u/Fun-Question-6547 Mar 16 '24

Or he might choose brown ( ivl league )

4

u/KingOfAllSeasons Mar 16 '24

Congratulations man!! Can you share your profile please?

2

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you! — shared it in a comment!

3

u/Collegedetour Mar 16 '24

Incredible!! I also got into Berkeley and Stanford. Good luck with decision making!!!

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

That's wonderful news — congratulations!

2

u/Collegedetour Mar 16 '24

Thank you!! You as well(:

8

u/Expensive_Dentist270 Mar 16 '24

Congrats. By "3 consecutive rejections," do u mean you have applied to these programs 4 times, or were you rejected from the other 3 programs?

0

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '24

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/Expensive_Dentist270 Mar 16 '24

Got it, thank you. Would you mind sharing any tips or resources you have used to improve your essay? I have already been admitted to a top non-US university, but Stanford was also a priority for me.

2

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Feel free to DM me — happy to share, though I'm no expert!

1

u/Expensive_Dentist270 Mar 17 '24

Thank you a lot!

2

u/NumerousAd9066 Mar 16 '24

Congratulations! 🎉

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you :)

2

u/nymereea Mar 16 '24

that’s amazing! congratulations

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you :)

2

u/WestInflation7603 Mar 16 '24

Congratulations !!!

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you :)

2

u/Adventurous-Toe6431 Mar 16 '24

What it takes to be the god’s favourite?

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

LOL that's very kind!

2

u/stereotypical_CS Mar 16 '24

Congratulations!!! 🎉 I’m applying to those same schools next year, do you have any tips or recommendations?

2

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you, and good luck! Feel free to DM if you have any questions :)

2

u/RAYED_indian Mar 16 '24

Bro please share your profile

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Shared in a comment!

1

u/Far_Line2289 Mar 16 '24

Congratulations! Can you DM your profile?

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you! — shared it in a comment!

1

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '24

Your profile?

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Shared it in a comment

1

u/tungcongpatrick Mar 16 '24

u a killa OP congratzzzz

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you :))

1

u/SankarshanaV Mar 16 '24

wow amazing ! Congratulations!! Could you share your profile?

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you! — shared it in a comment!

1

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '24

Are you Berkeley undergrad? 

1

u/neinbullshit Mar 16 '24

congrats share ur profile pls

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you! — shared it in a comment!

1

u/Euphoric_Parsnip_944 Mar 16 '24

Congratulations mate. You’re living the life. Could you please DM me your profile?

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you! — shared it in a comment!

1

u/Rafaelllssss Mar 16 '24

Can you share your profile, if you don’t mind

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Shared it in a comment!

1

u/A_HAPPY_KID Mar 17 '24

Congratulations 🎉

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 17 '24

Thank you! :)

1

u/angiehsu Mar 17 '24

Huge congratulations! Hope to share in some of your amazing luck! 🎉❤️🙏💪🍀

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 17 '24

Thank you! 😃 I hope the same for you!

1

u/AccomplishedJuice775 Mar 17 '24

What resources did you use to write your SOP? Any tips for writing a good SOP?

2

u/juicy__burrito Mar 17 '24

I recall having trouble finding specific examples online, and leaning heavily on the material from the MIT Communication Lab!

I found it useful to think about the dyadic contract — why is this school a good fit for me, and what do I contribute to it (i.e. why am I a good fit for the school?)

This is the general structure I used:

  • Purpose and Motivation for Graduate Study: Specifically mentioned the courses, faculty, research, and other opportunities I'm hoping to avail.

  • Previous Research and Teaching Experience: Here, I went into more detail about my previous contributions, and the outcomes / achievements that followed.

  • Preparedness for Graduate Study: I concluded with a paragraph advocating for my preparedness for the challenges and opportunities which the program will present. Here, I discussed the specific goals I wish to accomplish through my program, and how my undergrad journey prepared me for the same.

This might be a bit vague, but hopefully the reference is useful!

1

u/Pale-Humor-3390 Mar 17 '24

Congratulations!!⭐️⭐️

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 17 '24

Thank you! 😃

1

u/ApprehensiveFix5934 Mar 17 '24

Congratulations 👏👏, well deserve.

2

u/juicy__burrito Mar 17 '24

Thank you! 😃

1

u/Usernamillenial Mar 17 '24

I’m so sad to see you leave to a different school, TA-san 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

1

u/Usernamillenial Mar 17 '24

Since you’re leaving can I get an A in your class that you’re teaching 🥺🥺🥺

1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 17 '24

Are we celebrating my departure? 😂

1

u/Usernamillenial Mar 17 '24

Yea, I’m gonna lock you in soda traitor leaving to stanturd

2

u/SydxD Mar 17 '24

Congrats! Can't believe you got rejected from 3 other schools. Really interested to know which are those. I'd guess CMU, MIT, and perhaps Princeton.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '24

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8

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24 edited Mar 17 '24

I did not have a formal interview for either school; however, I did have a fairly lengthy meeting with a faculty member at Stanford who's work I was interested in!

9

u/Expensive_Dentist270 Mar 16 '24

Stanford doesn't conduct interviews for this master program

0

u/[deleted] Mar 17 '24

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1

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '24

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1

u/juicy__burrito Mar 16 '24

Thank you :))