My Experience Applying To OMS CS Program At Georgia Tech
Applying to the Online Maters of Science Computer Science (OMS CS) program at Georgia Tech had been on my career “to-dos” for about 2 years before I finally did it. To be honest, I kept procrastinating, waiting for the “ideal” time. When I look back, I will say it was a combination of fear of not knowing what to write on my personal statement, and worry that my technical expertise or achievements weren’t up to par yet.
I finally made the jump this year. The first step of success was the first few words I wrote on my personal statement. Just like how I felt when I finally began writing this article, sometimes you just need to start. It doesn’t matter how it ends. Just beginning writing, or designing, or reading. Whatever it is you are putting off because of an inner fear we sometimes aren’t even aware exists.
I love writing motivational articles if you can’t already tell but that’s partially not the goal of this article, so let’s get back to Georgia Tech. The pandemic has really caused a lot of pain and loss but one thing I am grateful for this year is I was able to take huge steps toward my career goals. I got the opportunity to really think about what I wanted career-wise and going for it no matter the outcome. Georgia Tech was one of it. I applied June of this year and I want to share some tips with anyone thinking of applying. These tips can also be used for any educational program you are thinking of applying to.
The first tip pertains to how to present your technical and educational expertise/achievement. Nothing is too small in this arena. I have seen comments online saying you may need to have published an article or some other grand accomplishment but honestly, I do not believe this. I did add an article I co-authored to my application so I cannot make this claim based off of fact. However, I am more inclined to think overall, my willingness to learn rather than my published article played a huge role. So what do I mean by “willingness” to learn? Are you taking some side courses? Add it to your application. Are you currently watching some video lectures on cloud or have taken a few certification exams? Add it to your application. Remember that time you took a mini introduction to MongoDB and got that cute certificate of participation? Add it to your application. This was what I did. I literally took screen shoots of the videos I had complicated for the Oracle Cloud Developer certification preparation and added it on there. It’s not just the huge accomplishments, I believe they want to see you have an aptitude for learning. Nothing is too small. Add it on there.
The second tip involves your search for recommenders. The OMSCS program specifically requires three recommenders so these can be people you know academically or professionally. The longer it is from when you graduated college, the harder it might be to find professors who do remember you and can speak to your specific strenghts. For those who are out of college and wanting an academic recommender, the goal will be to engage your professors and connect with them from time to time. Send them an email greeting them and telling them about your goals and what you’re currently doing. Ask them how they are and keep this line of connection open. Remember to levreage LinkedIn as well. Personally, I was pleased when I reached out to the professor who taught the very first class I took that had to do with coding. Although it had been 6 years, he replied back saying “Of course I remember you!”. I really wanted him to recommend me because for someone who had little technical knowledge before taking his class, he made the idea of being a developer so achievable. Going forward, I will keep to my own advise and stay connected to my professors as well. For those almost graduating college, my advise is to make sure you connect with your professors and leave an imprint in their mind so even years after graduating, they still remember you. Do not confuse my advise of leaving an imprint with being very smart or the best in the class. No, I mean seeking your professors advise when you need it, asking questions, going to their office hours, showing you are taking the front seat in your own academic success. It’s easier for professors to remember these students.
The last tip pertains to your personal statement. The OMSCS program is very direct about wanting precise and to-the-point statement so make sure you follow this instruction. My advise will be to tie your personal statement to the specialization you are hoping to pick. The program has four specializations; Computational Perception & Robotics, Computer Systems, Interactive Intelligence and Machine Learning. When you write your statement, discuss how the specialization will aide your career goals. How will knowledge in this specific specialization either help you at your current position (if you are a professional) or in an aspiring career. Tie it back to steps you have taken in the past towards that career/idea. Remember, be very specific and to the point, but stand out. For those with a liberal arts mind set, the program has some great classes that ties technology with health, education, journalism and so much more. Talk about that if it interests you.
Overall, I hope anyone who is planning on applying will go on and do it and that some of these tips might be helpful. I’ve heard really great comments about the program and I excited to begin in January 2021! Always remember, success is not defined by the end result, success begins when you take the first step towards the goal.
