How I Got Into Georgia Tech For MS in Computer Science?

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Hey! Who are you, what are you currently doing and what is your background?

My name is Yash Chaturvedi, and I recently completed my Master’s in Computer Science at Georgia Tech, where I specialized in Computing Systems. 

I did my undergrad at BITS Pilani, Goa campus. I joined in 2017 and graduated in 2021, with a degree in Computer Science. After graduating, I worked at Adobe for two years. I joined as a Software Development Engineer and by the time I left, I was an MTS 2. Most of my work there was full stack, and I was involved in three different projects — a mix of frontend and backend. 

In total, I did three internships. My first one was the PS1 internship at BITS — it was at a small startup in Koramangala, an IoT company. We built an analytics dashboard for sensor data — that was my first real full stack experience.

My second internship was with Adobe again, but this time on their Document Cloud ML team. The project involved training a better model for object detection within documents — identifying tables, pictures, and so on — and figuring out how to make that process more efficient.

My final internship was with Walmart for my PS2 — it was a six-month stint. It was backend-heavy work, mostly around supply chain data. Walmart has a huge inventory system, and the project was about generating metametrics to better handle and track supply chain items.

How did you decide that you wanted to pursue an MS in the US?

In my case, a few of my batchmates and friends had started going for their Master’s around 2021, right after graduation, and then again in 2022. That was when I seriously began thinking about applying — looking into the GRE and all of that. For me, it wasn’t so much about the job market or the typical motivations tied to the US. It was more about wanting to push myself a bit further, maybe try my hand at research again, and just see what I was capable of achieving.

As for why the US in particular, I genuinely felt like it had the best opportunities, and honestly, I think that’s pretty undisputed. It’s not just the number of jobs, it’s also about the scale at which things operate and grow there. A lot of the top companies are headquartered in the US, and the startup culture is incredibly strong. That means new opportunities often begin there — new technologies, trends, ideas — and then spread elsewhere.

In many niche areas, especially in tech, I believe the US offers better chances. People there seem more willing to take big risks, and that kind of culture appealed to me. It just felt like the right place to explore those opportunities and really find out what I could do.

How did you start your application preparation; can you throw some light on profile building, GRE, LORs and SOPs?

I considered Adobe a great place to work, with exposure to exciting technologies, so I wasn’t willing to leave unless a master’s program truly compelled me. Unlike others who apply to safety schools, I focused only on programs that genuinely excited me and justified leaving a strong job. To navigate the complex college selection process, I looked at where peers with similar backgrounds and CGPAs were applying and getting in. Funding was also a key factor—I leaned toward public universities for their better financial support, though I applied to a few private ones too. Ultimately, my choices balanced realistic aspirations, strong program reputations, and a worthwhile trade-off for leaving Adobe.

GRE

For GRE prep, I put in about a month and a half of dedicated effort—while working full-time. I used Magoosh and found it really helpful, especially because it lets you focus on one section at a time and gives feedback. Writing was tricky since it’s hard to get direct feedback there, so I mostly practiced under timed conditions.

Quant wasn’t too hard, thanks to my engineering background. I was also okay with verbal, but the reading comprehension sections were occasionally confusing. Once I understood the question types, things became more manageable. I ended up scoring a 334—164 in verbal and 170 in quant. I gave the GRE in September 2022 and took the TOEFL about a month later.

SOP

When it came to writing the SOP, I think one of the best resources I came across was a blog on WriteIvy.com. It was called “Structure is Magic” and it really changed how I approached it. SOPs are all about telling a convincing story. And let’s be honest, most of us aren’t born with a childhood dream of studying at a specific university—we have to build a story that makes sense of our background and motivations.

One thing I made sure to include, which many don’t, was why I would be a good addition to the program—not just why I wanted to go there. I talked about my communication skills from debating, my leadership experience, and my technical readiness. 

I also used an integrated structure for the SOP. Instead of talking about professors only at the end, I weaved them into the main body. In each paragraph, I’d reference a professor, explain why their work was interesting, what I’d done that related to it, and how I’d like to build on it. I felt this made for a better and more coherent read.

LOR

For TOEFL, I didn’t prepare too much—maybe just two days. I used the Magoosh flashcard app and didn’t buy any subscription. If you’ve already done some GRE prep, I think TOEFL is manageable. Speaking was the only section I practiced more consciously. But since I had experience with debating and public speaking, I wasn’t too worried. Ironically, speaking turned out to be my lowest section score, but overall, TOEFL was much easier than GRE.

Timelines

I began planning for a master’s around May 2022, took the GRE and TOEFL by fall, finalized SOPs by December, and had most decisions by April 2023, after which I focused on logistics and preparation.

What colleges did you apply for and what was the result?

I applied to 9 universities as below.

Note from TheGradPost: To view the below list of ambitious, moderate and safe universities, please subscribe!

I only applied to programs I was genuinely interested in and had a realistic shot at. No extreme long shots or safety schools I wouldn’t attend—I aimed for a balanced list of ambitious and moderate options that aligned with my goals.

1. Carnegie Mellon University – MS in Privacy Engineering
2. Columbia University
3. Georgia Institute of Technology
4. University of Wisconsin–Madison
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
6. UC San Diego
7. Purdue University
8. University of Texas, Austin
9. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Ultimately, I was accepted into CMU (Privacy Engineering) and Georgia Tech, and chose Georgia Tech for its better ROI and funding opportunities—which have fully covered my expenses so far.

Can you tell us more about the course you chose and what the learning outcomes are?

Why Georgia Tech Stood Out

Georgia Tech’s flexible program structure was a major draw. Unlike schools like UIUC, where a thesis is mandatory, GT allows you to choose between three options:

• Coursework-only (30 credits = 10 courses)
• Project (9 credits of research + 21 credits of coursework)
• Thesis (12 credits of research with a formal defense + 18 credits of coursework)

I chose the Project option and only started research in my second semester, once I found a professor and area that interested me—this level of flexibility is something I really valued.

Academic and Community Strengths
Professors are top-notch, and the alumni network is strong, especially in the startup space—Georgia Tech has a significant presence among recent Y Combinator founders. The large, diverse student community supports a wide range of technical and cultural clubs, making it easy to find your niche. The fact that many BITS alumni come here each year also gave me confidence in my choice.

Advice for Incoming Students

• Prioritize Research: Course content can lag behind current developments, but research projects like “Special Problems” (similar to SOPs at BITS) let you explore cutting-edge work at your own pace.

Start Early on Funding: Apply for TA positions as soon as you get your GT email. It’s competitive—especially in your first semester—but persistence pays off. I sent out many emails before one professor finally responded. Batchmates from BITS also secured TAs early, which motivated me to keep trying.

What is the cost of tuition and cost of living for the program?

Tuition & Fees

• Without funding, tuition is approx. $16,500 per semester, including international student and amenities fees.
• With a TA/RA, most of the tuition is waived—you pay only around $1,000 per semester in fees.

Living Expenses

• Rent depends on location and setup:
  • Shared room: ~$800/month
  • Private room: $1,400–$1,500/month
  • Studios/premium units: $1,800–$2,000/month
• Many students start with shared housing and upgrade once they secure funding or internships.

Assistantships (TA/RA)

• Monthly stipend for CS TAs/RAs: ~$1,155
  • Covers a large portion of living costs, though not everything.
  • Lower than schools like UIUC (~$2,200/month), likely due to GT’s larger MSCS cohort.
• Tip: Apply early and be persistent—TA/RA positions are competitive but valuable.

How was your experience with the visa process, finding accommodation and travel?

There were a lot of challenges, especially with the visa website—it’s very strict about login attempts. It rate-limits users heavily, so you can’t just keep trying to log in. That makes it really hard to grab a slot when they open up because everyone is desperately trying to get one at the same time.

That part was a bit of a headache. I kept worrying—”How will I get a slot in time?” I still remember, the only reason I managed to book mine was because someone sent a message in a group chat saying, “Slots are open.” I jumped in immediately and somehow managed to get one. But otherwise, it can be very challenging and stressful.

Beyond that though, the rest of the visa process wasn’t too hard. If you’re going to a decent college, the interview usually isn’t a big deal. But it’s still important to stay connected with the community—just to know what kind of questions people are being asked in their interviews so you can be prepared. Still, I’d say the hardest part by far is just securing the visa appointment slot.

What does the future after master’s look like?

The future after a master’s is typically centered around securing a good internship and eventually landing a full-time role, both of which are highly competitive but achievable with the right preparation. Internships are often the first major step—most run for about 12 weeks during the summer and pay between $25 and $60 per hour, though top-end cases like high-frequency trading firms can go much higher. These roles usually open up as early as August or September, so staying alert during that period is crucial since most positions are through open postings rather than referrals.

Full-time job prospects vary more depending on your prior experience. While internships pay similarly regardless of background, full-time roles take past work—especially from India—into account. For example, someone with three years of experience might be considered for mid-level roles (like L2) rather than just new grad positions. Starting salaries for new CS graduates usually fall between $100K and $150K, but this can vary based on specialization and location. In areas with a lower cost of living, offers might be closer to $100K, while specialized roles in machine learning or research may push above the average. For experienced roles, compensation can be much more variable; some companies list broad salary ranges to cover applicants across different levels.

That said, it’s important to manage expectations around titles—some companies might not fully recognize international experience, and candidates are sometimes offered positions a level below what they held previously. In general, though, the path after a master’s is promising, especially for those who start early, leverage their experience effectively, and remain persistent in a competitive market.

Any final words of advice for anyone who aspires to be where you currently are?

If I had to offer one piece of advice, it would be to focus on the things you can control. Your past experience is already set—you can’t change that—but what you can shape is how you present yourself. That includes putting real effort into your Statement of Purpose, securing strong letters of recommendation, and being strategic about the schools you apply to. If your relationships with professors or managers aren’t very strong, don’t panic—reach out to enough people and you’ll likely find those willing to support you. Just make sure they can genuinely speak to your strengths.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of storytelling in your application. Many applicants come from similar academic or professional backgrounds, so what sets you apart is how well you articulate your journey and goals. I personally spent a lot of time refining my SOP, and I think that made a big difference. That said, I also wish I’d been more thoughtful earlier on—about where exactly I was applying, how much it would cost, and whether it made sense from a return-on-investment perspective.

Most importantly, before diving into applications, ask yourself the hard questions: Is this the right time for a master’s? Does it align with my long-term goals? What’s the opportunity cost? Even if things don’t go perfectly, that kind of clarity helps you make peace with your decisions later. So be intentional, be honest with yourself, and don’t leave the planning to the last minute.

Connect

Linkedin – Yash Chaturvedi

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