Thank you for your advice 🙂

Applying to a less competitive, CS-adjacent program to transfer to CS later is a strategy some students consider. However, several factors need to be considered when thinking about such an option. For instance, transfer policies can be uncertain, as changing programs are often competitive and not guaranteed, varying widely between universities. Additionally, some CS programs have prerequisites that are difficult to meet if you start in a different program. Thus, it is important to have a backup plan in case one is unable to transfer.

From an ethical perspective, it's important to ensure that the application accurately reflects the applicants’ true intentions and interests. Fairness is another consideration, as applying to a less competitive program solely to transfer might limit opportunities for students genuinely interested in that field.

As an alternative strategy, you may like to consider broadening your application pool by applying to both highly competitive and less competitive schools to balance your chances. Enhancing one’s profile with relevant projects and internships can improve chances of direct admission to more competitive CS programs. One can also consider other pathways by looking into schools with strong CS programs that may not be in the top 20 but still offer excellent education and opportunities. Finally, you may consider Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering programs, as they often involve significant CS work and can provide a solid foundation in computing without the need for a transfer.

Building on my colleague’s comments, I believe students should give a research orientation to their final year projects. Choosing a project with a research component can help you decide if a research career is right for you. Many universities offer undergraduates the chance to enroll in advanced graduate-level coursework, which often includes semester-long research projects. This experience can help you understand the level of work and commitment required for graduate studies in your field.

Participating in these projects will enhance your appreciation for the research process and its unique demands. It's important to recognize that research is not for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. However, it’s crucial to be certain about your interest before committing to a graduate program.

I also encourage students to reach out to professors to gain independent research experience and engage with the academic community they aspire to join.

After completing a master's degree, graduates typically follow one of two paths.

One is entering the industry, and it's the path most often taken. Here, those who have excelled academically and enhanced their skills beyond the Bachelor’s degree can expect higher average salaries. The second pathway is, if you have done a Master’s with a thesis and found your interest in research then you can pursue a PhD. A smaller fraction of students also take the leap of launching a startup and building something from scratch that they are passionate about.

Concerning PhDs, it’s important to dispel the myth that they lead solely to academic careers. In reality, many PhD holders find opportunities outside academia. For instance, at tech giant Google, nearly one-third of the workforce holds PhDs, reflecting the company's emphasis on solving future challenges—an ability that PhD training enhances. PhDs are adept at navigating uncertainty and devising innovative solutions to complex problems. This skill set is also valuable in entrepreneurship, where understanding and managing uncertainty is crucial.
I have seen many people who did extremely well in their PhDs and ended up being entrepreneurs.

A general piece of advice I would like to add is the importance of embracing life-long learning. Regardless of your career path, dedicating 15-20% of your time to learning is vital. The skills you acquire today might be obsolete in just a few years, so the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn is essential. This was highlighted recently when over 100,000 skilled employees from top tech companies were laid off. Those who had continuously invested in their learning were better equipped to secure new opportunities in diverse industries. Specializing too narrowly can pose a risk if industry dynamics shift, underscoring the importance of continually updating your knowledge and skills across a broad spectrum.

If you are about to graduate and feel undecided about graduate school, that is completely normal. There are various paths you can take. For example, you could spend a year or two working in the industry to explore your interests. Gaining work experience can provide valuable insight into how much you enjoy the field and help you clarify your future goals.

I never wanted to be a Computer Scientist. I wanted to be an astronomer. I thought physics could take me anywhere. Between subatomic particles and beyond galaxies. Through a series of events partially out of my control, I ended up at FAST, instead of UET (the only name I had heard of right up until the point of my application to FAST). I hated everything they were teaching in a CS degree. It took me to get through 3 semesters of torturous courses to finally find a course I liked. Assembly language particularly appealed to me because I absolutely loved the way my instructor engaged with me. I found myself so deeply involved that I gave up my gaming nights just to design microprocessors. I quite literally quit my first passion for that. Later on in my undergraduate, I was discouraged from taking the Phonetic course(for the simple reason that the course was useless). Today, I hold a PhD specializing in the same subject. My primary purpose for sharing these details is that life will eventually give you an opportunity to pursue something that brings you sheer joy. Be fearless in your pursuit whenever that time comes. Please forget about your GPA, it legitimately will not matter. Go for amazing teachers even if they are bad graders. If you have the passion you will find your way into your dream job or dream program.

@Mukhtiar-Ahmad It is challenging to assess one's chances of admission solely based on the GPA. GPA is one important factor but your recommendation letters, experiences with independent projects, SOP, and test scores play an important role too. I've had students with less than 3.0 GPA who have been admitted to good universities in the US so there is certainly hope 🙂