Frequently Asked Questions About Master's Admissions
Q: What are the criteria for admission to the master's program in computer science at Brown?
A: We consider numerous criteria including academic performance, letters of recommendation and industrial experience. We also consider GRE scores, TOEFL scores (if relevant), motivation, work experience, awards, honors, prizes, and other accomplishments. Because master's applicants are so diverse, no single set of critera adequately cover all the cases. In more detail, we are looking for:
- Academic performance: The GPA is not the only criterion. Grades in computer science and related disciplines (e.g., math) count more than grades in other areas. Also, we take into account the fact that at some very competitive schools it is very difficult to achieve a high GPA.
- Letters of recommendation: Letters must give a detailed, factual, and candid evaluation of the applicant's capabilities. Rankings and comparisons with other students are very useful. Ask your recommender to follow these guidelines. If your recommender is sending the letter directly, check to make sure the deadlines are met. We routinely find ourselves unable to admit potentially qualified students because their letters of recommendation have not arrived in time.
- Work experience: Please describe any work experience you might have. Obviously not all applicants have work experience, but for those who do, some description of it helps us better evaluate your application.
- General GRE scores: These scores let us compare the basic skills of applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are aware that: test performance can improve considerably with practice, some people do not perform well on tests, and the verbal GRE is harder for some foreign applicants. While we do not require general test scores, the test provides an additional objective form of evaluation that is often helpful in determining an applicant's abilities.
- Subject GRE scores: The subject test scores are most useful when they are from the computer science exam. While we do not require subject test scores, the test provides an additional objective form of evaluation that is often helpful in determining an applicant's abilities.
- TOEFL and IELTS scores: Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not received a college degree from an institution in an English-speaking country must take the TOEFL exam. Additional evidence (e.g., certificate of completion of an English course) may also be submitted. We generally do not consider applicants who have scored below 620 (PBT) or 260 (CBT) or IBT (105), and prefer scores higher than that. The corresponding minimum IELTS score is 7.
- Statement: The statement that accompanies your application helps us learn more about you.
- Awards, honors, and prizes: Unless they are well known (e.g., NSF fellowship or graduation with honors), please give details about them (how many candidates? how many awards? what were the selection criteria?). This is especially important for foreign applicants. If these awards are really important, we would expect your recommenders to mention them.
- Research experience: Research experience is not required for master's applicants and many of our applicants do not have any, but you can use experience you've had to demonstrate your ability to handle graduate-level computer science material.
Q: Can I still apply if I cannot have all the material ready by the deadline?
A: Because we have a rolling deadline, there is no official date by which you need to get your material in. However, if you put off completing the application for too long, you will run the risk of being rejected because we have run out of spaces. If you're concerned about being too late, you can write us to ask whether we still have places in the master's program. We anticipate always having places as of late-January. Beyond that, we encourage you to write us first.
Note that we need a complete application, including letters of recommendation AND OFFICIAL SCORE REPORTS, before we can make admission decisions. Therefore, please give your letter writers enough time to write and mail your letters of support!
Q: Can I apply at other times of the year?
A: We consider applications only starting in January. You can apply earlier, but it will not improve your chances of being admitted.
Q: Do I have to begin graduate study in September?
A: No. You can begin your study in the spring semester (which begins in late January) if you wish. Note, however, that we have only one application round every year.
Q: I cannot afford the application fee. Can you waive it?
A: The Graduate School can waive this fee, but does so only for U.S.
citizens on the basis on verifiable need. To request a waiver, write to
the Graduate School (or send email to
Graduate_fee_waiver@brown.edu)
explaining your situation. If your request is denied, your application
is kept on hold during the application process and is reactivated if the
application fee is paid.
Q: Do you have financial aid available for ScM students?
A: Sorry, we do not offer funding to ScM students. You will need to apply to external sources of support.
Q: I have requested an application packet; when will I receive it?
A: We strongly prefer that you complete the application electronically, on-line. If you do request a paper application packet, the Graduate School will mail one within 2-3 weeks of receiving your request. If you do not receive the packet within five weeks of the date of your request, please contact the Graduate School (not the Computer Science Department!).
Q: Are photocopies or faxes of any of the application materials acceptable?
A: Photocopies and faxes are acceptable only as place-holders in the initial application; original documents are required to complete your application. Please send all documents to the Graduate School, not the Computer Science Department.
Q: Do I have to take the GRE General exam?
A: The department does not require the General exam for master's applicants. Your General test scores give us an additional objective form of evaluation. On the other hand, some students have extremely strong records, and this strength is evident from their application. For such students, the General test score does not provide much additional information. In the end, it's your call.
Q: Do I have to take the GRE Subject exam?
A: The department does not require the Subject exam. If you do take it, the scores most useful to us would naturally be those from computer science. Your Subject test scores give us an additional objective form of evaluation. On the other hand, some students have extremely strong records, and this strength is evident from their application. For such students, the Subject test score does not provide much additional information. In the end, it's your call.
Q: Can I contact the graduate school by phone or electronic mail?
A: The graduate school's contact information is on their Web page.
Q: Where do I send my transcripts, score reports, etc?
A: Please send supplemental materials to: Brown Graduate School, 47 George Street, Box 1867, Providence, RI 02912.
Q: Should I use the institution code, the department code or both for the GRE and TOEFL?
A: The GRE institution code is 3094 and the GRE department code is 0402. For the TOEFL, you should use the school code which is 3094 and the department code 78. Note that answers to these questions and many like them may be found at our graduate school website: http://gradschool.brown.edu/.
Q: Have you received all my application materials?
A: Please contact the Graduate School directly at Graduate_School@Brown.edu for questions relating to the online application system or to see if all of your materials have arrived.
Q: Who decides whom to admit?
A: Officially, admissions are generated by the Graduate School of Brown University. In practice, the Computer Science Department (specifically, a group of faculty members) evaluates your application and makes recommendations to the Graduate School, which typically follows our recommendations. Therefore, you are generating your application (in particular, your statement) to be read primarily by computer science faculty.
Q: What if I have other questions?
A: You can email the department at
scm_info@cs.brown.edu. Please be sure to mention that
your question is about master's admissions.
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