- How to Transit from Non-Computer Science to Computer Science Stream?
- How To Secure Your Future With a Degree in Computer Science?
- Which Universities Should Be On the Priority List for Non-CS Students?
- How Can I Increase My Chances of Getting Admit for CS Program?
- Which are the Universities in USA offering MS in CS to Non-CS Students?
- USA Leads the Pack with Best Universities for MS in CS
- Admission Prerequisites for MS in CS with a non-CS background
- If you’re in your undergrad, a cardinal approach is to take courses that are equivalent to prerequisite subjects and are likely to give you a common platform with students from CS background. Undergrad subjects such as Mathematics (Calculus & Statistics), Data Structure, Algorithm Analysis, Programming languages, Theory of Computation and Operating Systems are desired from non-CS applicants. Ability to crack code in languages such as Python, Javascript, Java, etc. could boost your resume.
- Some universities require a minimum score in certain prerequisite subjects.
- When applying, applicants must include a cover letter or an essay (as is required by certain universities) that is a precise account of their professional accomplishments and outlines the purpose of their course of action (some institutions call it the “Statement of Purpose” or SOP). Use this as an opportunity to convince the selection committee of the skills and ideas you would bring to the table with your non-CS background.Since this is a tough job, it is advised students get guidance from an expert. We at GyanDhan provide SOP review and edit services as well as secret SOP hacks that will surely students, especially those changing their stream, to hit the mark. We will have our experts making suggestions and corrections to your SOP which you can respond to and send the edited version for review again. We provide the best SOP editing services at affordable rates.
- Translate applications to success with compelling Letters of Recommendation as they are highly regarded in high ranking US universities and seen as means of adding credibility to the application. It is good to ask your professors, academicians, managers, etc. whom you have worked closely with to establish plausibility and thus reflect your genuine interest in the respective university’s program through their testimonials.
- All the candidates are required to present a GRE score that may vary from college to college. High score in the quant section will position you better for securing an admit.
- A relevant IELTS/ TOEFL score to measure your proficiency in English. Applicants are advised to confirm with individual schools regarding their cut offs.
- Relevant interdisciplinary research projects and 2+ years of work experience in Computers/Software industry is considered a great plus This will help offset the lack of a formal CS undergraduate degree.
- Research papers in prestigious journals would be a great way to demonstrate your interest and caliber in CS.
- Contribution to open source projects such as Google Summer of Code, Rails Girl Summer of Code, Apache projects, etc. are immensely popular and likely to give you first hand exposure to software development. Some experts and professors suggest creating your own mobile app or a large system and putting it on Github. Competitive programming is also helpful in establishing your caliber.
- First & foremost, visit the website of the university you wish to apply to and download the complete application checklist for the referral. Most universities dedicate a page to application procedure/prerequisites to make it easy for students to apply.
- One on one communication with the concerned university’s professor (CS department) could tilt the scale in your favour. Get in touch via email or call them to make sure you have what it needs to win them over.
- All universities advise students to submit their application well before time.
- Check if the university offers scholarships that could reduce your financial burden. Higher studies in US is no mean task and a little bit leeway in form of scholarships could bring lot of relief. Most private universities have scholarship programs so make sure you have that aspect thoroughly checked.
- Certain universities like NYU, UPenn offer prep courses exclusively designed for non-CS students.
- Gather an idea about the undergrad CS subjects taught in the university of your interest. The subjects are usually listed on the university’s website under the concerned department. It would help decide what subjects you may be required to take before applying.
- Make sure you check the FAQ page of your desired universities. This single page carries enough information to answer most of your questions.
- Get in touch with the desired university’s CS grad students to gather information.
- Last but not least, keep your Transcripts intact and your CV up to date.
- UCLA
- Stanford University
- The University of Chicago
- Yale University
- NC State University
- Georgia Tech College of Computing
Published date: 15 Jun 2018
Updated on: 23 Jan 2021
The process of getting an admit to one of the most popular graduate programs in USA, i.e. a Masters in Computer Science (MS in CS) isn’t a piece of cake and instead requires diligent preparation. Despite all the hard work involved, it is highly popular among Indian students and preceded in popularity by the one and only - MBA. However, concerns are raised by students from a non-CS background who suddenly find their current pursuits unattractive or irrelevant in comparison to Computer Science and feel a transition to the latter would help them accomplish their long-term career goals. For students to succumb to peer pressure or family pressure in India is not that unusual. The status quo attached with getting admission to top universities/colleges adds to the fear of making the wrong career choice leading many to choose specialization that may not be of interest to them. Reality hits with full force as the years advance and students come to realize the stark difference between their current pursuit and their actual interest. However, if you are already nearing your undergraduate degree, then changing course subjects to suit your changed goals is a bit difficult. That calls for putting extra hours in taking additional courses that could be overwhelming, cumbersome and take its toll. Several colleges don’t even allow for such a change. However, if you are in your first year or have just started with 2nd year, there are good chances of switching streams or taking additional courses that align with your goal of getting an MS in CS. All said and done, but before taking a leap, make sure you have a counselling session with career experts to avoid making the same mistake again. Note:Transition from Electronics/ Electronics & Telecommunication/ Information Technology to Computer Science is not difficult as the streams share a few common subjects. The answer for students who face ambiguity and are left high and dry in face of a non-computer background and inadequate counselling lies herein. And this is where we come to your rescue! GyanDhan provides admission counselling services to students who want to study abroad. Not only do we help you select the right course and country combination while you transition to a CS stream but also provide you the list of colleges that are more open to accepting students who change their streams. In doing so, we help you streamline the options thus saving your time and effort. Click here to get started now! Study of Computers or Computer Science as it is more popularly known has made a dramatic contribution to the world economy since the advent of computers. The cornerstone of the Silicon Valley and other ventures supported by technology has a ubiquitous presence which is felt by almost every industry not only in US but around the globe. A further push has come from start-ups that have astoundingly invaded the tech scene by offering digital services for something as small as food delivery to homes to something as big as making secure online payments to bank accounts around the world. Not to forget an ever-optimistic and inspiring Elon Musk whose vision of Hybrid cars was ridiculed to the point of being ignored but ultimately revolutionized both the technology and auto industry once it was realized. USA largely remains the favourite when it comes to choosing the most preferred destination for higher studies especially for getting a Masters degree in Computers. With top ranking universities that have managed to rake excellent reviews over the last decades, USA is regarded as the epitome of best education by international students and academic fraternity alike. The application prerequisites vary from institution to institution (see the section on ‘Universities offering MS in CS to non-CS students’ towards the end). The popularity of the specialization makes it rather competitive as the number of computer aspirants has seen a quantum leap and getting into the university of your choice may be difficult to accomplish. Some go the MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) way which is an easy way to fulfilling prerequisites but do not hold same weightage as the actual coursework, hence is best avoided if you have set your eyes on a top ranked school. A Pre-emptive tactic against failure should be a well thought out plan. We offer a comprehensive list of “to dos” that is likely to ensure you a good place on the program in a good ranked university: The chances of non-CS students getting admission to Masters in CS in top universities is tough but possible. However, there is no need to get disheartened as nearly all universities/colleges in US have fairly reputed Computer science programs regardless of the school’s overall rank. Most universities welcome non-CS students for an MS in Computer Science. There are very few that do not entertain students from other backgrounds to enrol in their CS program and to get a list of those schools is not easy. Instead, we have compiled a list of schools that are reputed and invite non-CS students to apply to their MS in CS program. It should come as a relief to some that despite program rankings, MS CS graduates are in great demand and do not have to struggle to find well paid jobs. As per Obama White House archives, the industry is likely to see a deficit of 1 million computer graduates by 2020 with 1.4 million computer science jobs but only 400,000 graduates available to fill them. Hence, take a deep breath, prep yourself up and get your bags ready for a future in technology. And if you need any help related to admission, test prep, visa, accommodation, and visa, you have us! Table of Content
How to Transit from Non-Computer Science to Computer Science Stream?
How To Secure Your Future With a Degree in Computer Science?
Which Universities Should Be On the Priority List for Non-CS Students?
Get Free Help in MS in CS Admissions Abroad !
How Can I Increase My Chances of Getting Admit for CS Program?
Some Bonus Tips
Which are the Universities in USA offering MS in CS to Non-CS Students?

About author
Aishwarya Bhatt
A bookworm who transforms into a web-usability evangelist, when her favorite blend of coffee is flowing in her veins. Happiest in a bookstore and when she is painting with words on paper!
