[comp.edu] CS Grad School Questions

kes3200@sjfc.UUCP (Ken Staggers) (03/14/89)

[ I originally posted this questionnaire in soc.college.  I am hoping to 
  receive a few more responses from comp.edu.  The results of my original
  posting can be read in soc.college.  Please e-mail responses to this
  questionnaire.]

I am in the process of searching for cs grad schools to apply to next fall
(i.e. starting grad school in Fall 1990).  I am interested in knowing what 
you thought of the whole process from start to finish.

Specifically:
1- Do you know what area of cs you want to focus on (i.e. AI, data comm,
theory, etc.) and did the grad schools want you to have a specific area?

2- Are you applying for a TA or Research Assistantship?  If so what did you
learn about them and which are harder to get.

3- What kind of candidate are these grad schools looking for?
    -Classes taken during college
    -GRE scores
    -GPA
    -Work experience
    -Research experience
    -Undergrad school's reputation

4- What did you think of the GRE and the subject test?  Did every school
that you applied to require it?

5- How do you know the "good schools" from the "not-so-good schools"?

6- What was the range of financial aid available to CS majors?  For
instance, my ex-roommate, a chem major, was offered between $12000-$14000
plus free tuition to be an RA.

7- Are you going for a PhD or masters and does a school frown about giving
only a master's (which is all that i want at this time).

8- Did you visit your choices?  Interviews?

9- If you are admitted to your first choice, which one (or more) of your
assets and qualities do you think helped you rise above the crowd?

10- Any other advice?

I know that its a long list of questions, but I would appreciate any
response whatsoever.

Excuse the errors, I broke my left arm, so I am only typing with one hand.

THANKS IN ADVANCE & GOOD LUCK!

--Ken Staggers
{...!rutgers!rochester!cci632!sjfc!kes3200}