How I Got Into Texas A&M For MS in Data Science?

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

I’m Janvita and I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Data Science at Texas A&M University. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat. 

I don’t have any work experience as I graduated in May 2023 and started my master’s program in Fall 2023, so my experience is primarily through internships and research projects. 

My first research internship was at IIT Kharagpur, followed by another at my institution. My third internship was at IISER Bhopal. While these weren’t entirely related to data science, they involved a mix of data science and mechanical engineering. Until my second year, I was more involved in mechanical engineering clubs and activities. However, from my third year onward, I shifted my focus toward data science.

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

I initially chose mechanical engineering because of the NIT tag and my interest in building cars and machinery. However, once in college, I realized it wasn’t as hands-on as I had expected. COVID-19 further dampened my interest, as online classes lacked practical exposure. Around that time, I discovered the growing opportunities in software fields. With core internships getting canceled, I decided to explore data science through a research club, where I worked on an astronomy project that required deep learning. I had no prior experience in Python or AI, so I spent two months learning from scratch. Watching Krish Naik’s videos further fueled my interest, and by my third year, I was fully inclined toward data science, securing internships in the field.

Coming from a mechanical background, breaking into AI/ML roles was challenging. Many companies limited mechanical graduates to analyst roles, and I felt my coding knowledge wasn’t deep enough. I wanted to understand the math behind algorithms, particularly in computer vision. Realizing that a mechanical degree alone wouldn’t give me the best opportunities, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Data Science. Initially, I considered Germany for affordability, but after discussing it with my family, I chose the US for its stronger research environment and career prospects.

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

I started my application process quite late, which I wouldn’t recommend to others. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the ideal timeline, but looking back, an early start would have been beneficial. I officially began preparing in August 2022, a year before my intended enrollment in August 2023. However, before that, I had already completed my internships. From August onward, I actively researched the application process, reading Reddit threads and learning from other applicants’ experiences. Despite my research, I struggled with self-doubt due to my mechanical engineering background, limited coding knowledge, and lack of industrial experience. I constantly questioned whether I would be accepted into a university, especially since I didn’t meet many typical criteria. To gain clarity, I spoke to friends, my parents’ friends, and even consulted an agency. Consultancy reassured me that transitioning from mechanical engineering to data science was possible, which gave me much-needed confidence.

GRE/TOEFL

From mid-August to October, I focused on preparing for the GRE and took the exam in October 2022, scoring 315. After that, I started working on my Statement of Purpose (SOP) from mid-October to November. Since I already had a clear understanding of my motivation, research experience, and goals, drafting the SOP was relatively smooth. I also referred to samples to grasp the structure and flow. At the same time, I reached out to professors I had interned with for Letters of Recommendation (LORs). They asked me to draft my own LORs, which they later modified. Writing my SOP and LORs took about 15–20 days, from early to mid-November, during which I also finalized my university shortlist. By mid-November, I shifted focus to preparing for the TOEFL, which took about two weeks. Once completed, I had all my documents ready—LORs, transcripts, SOP, and a finalized university list. I started submitting applications in November, ensuring everything was completed before the December 15 deadlines.

SOP

The GRE required about one and a half months of preparation, but I realized that while GRE is optional for some schools, SOPs, LORs, and TOEFL scores are mandatory. I believe my SOP played a crucial role in my admission to Texas A&M, as I lacked strong CS transcripts, industrial experience, or company certifications—only research experience and a few Coursera certifications. I learned that universities don’t just look for applicants with perfect coding skills or extensive experience. While technical skills are important, they also seek ambitious students eager to learn and explore. A strong SOP goes beyond listing achievements—it should clearly articulate why a master’s degree is the right path. Initially, financial prospects seemed like my main motivation, but over time, I realized that curiosity and passion for the field are what truly sustain long-term growth. Writing about my experiences, what I learned, and how they shaped my decision to pursue a master’s was crucial in crafting a compelling SOP.

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

I applied to 10 universities as below.

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

I prioritized ranking and eliminated my safe options, leaving me with three admits by April: SUNY Buffalo, Texas A&M University (TAMU), and the University of Maryland (UMD). I ruled out UMD because it lacked a STEM extension (at that time), narrowing my choice to TAMU and SUNY Buffalo.

SUNY Buffalo had a strong AI-focused curriculum, including computer vision and NLP, which aligned with my interests, while TAMU leaned more towards data science with fewer computer vision options. However, TAMU had a better ranking and lower cost of living, making it the more practical choice. After researching and speaking with friends, I decided on TAMU.

Before going to TAMU, I had a general idea of what to expect, but the process was very systematic. Multiple student groups were formed for housing, visa guidance, and general support. The Indian community was very active, and seniors organized sessions to help incoming students understand the process of applying for part-time jobs, funding opportunities, and other essentials. These sessions were incredibly useful in providing an initial understanding of how things worked.

After arriving, my expectations were exceeded. The university has a massive campus, and everything is well-organized. It was a great experience. During my time, the MS Data Science cohort had around 45 students. The intake had increased from the previous year, when my seniors had a batch size of about 30. Every year, the number of students seems to be growing. When I joined, the program was only two years old, so not many people were aware of it. But now, with proper funding and increased recognition, the intake has likely expanded even further.

One downside of being in College Station is the limited job opportunities in the area. Compared to places like California or New York, where career fairs attract more companies, there are fewer opportunities here. Companies also prefer hiring candidates already based in those areas to avoid relocation costs. While the lower cost of living and tuition is an advantage, job placement can be a challenge.

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

The MSDS program is 1.5 years long. Since we need to complete 30 credits, each course is typically worth three credits. The tuition amount on the I-20 was around $20K for one year, so for the full program, it would be about $40K. The actual tuition fee is approximately $42K, but it’s in the $40K range.

For living expenses, the I-20 mentions $18K for 12 months, but in reality, it doesn’t cost that much. In College Station, the maximum living expense is around $9K per year. The I-20 amount is higher because they expect students to stay in on-campus housing, which is more expensive. However, if you rent an apartment near campus, the costs are much lower. This is one of the advantages of being in College Station—compared to cities like New York or Boston, where people pay $1.2K to $1.5K per month for rent, living here allows you to save significantly. With part-time work, it’s possible to cover living expenses and rent without much difficulty.

In terms of funding, Texas A&M offers numerous TA and RA positions. I secured a part-time job in my first semester, which later converted into an RA position in my second semester. RAs receive tuition waivers, and while the waiver amount depends on the department’s funding situation, I received a full tuition waiver. This significantly reduced my overall costs. If you secure an RA position for even one semester, you can save 25-30% of your tuition expenses.

For my studies, I opted for a loan from Union Bank of India. Since Texas A&M is ranked within the top 100 universities, the bank provided a non-collateral loan of 40 lakh INR. I used this amount solely for tuition, as I wasn’t sure about securing funding initially. For my living expenses, my parents supported me for the first semester, but after that, I covered my costs through part-time work.

Did you have any interesting experience with the visa process?

For my I-20, I had to submit proof of funding, but there was a delay. Without it, I couldn’t apply for my DS-160 or book a visa slot. I contacted the university multiple times, but they kept saying it would take 15–20 days. Meanwhile, the first batch of visa slots opened, and I couldn’t book one. Later, I found out my I-20 was stuck due to a name mismatch between my passport and application, which I had to fix—something I recommend everyone double-check.

After correcting the issue, it took another 15 days to get my I-20. By then, the second batch of visa slots had opened, and with no job as a backup, I was completely dependent on my admission. The process was stressful, but Texas A&M student groups helped with visa guidance. My actual visa interview was simple—they only asked which university I was going to. From what I’ve seen, reputed universities usually face fewer questions.

What does the future after master’s look like?

Whatever I’m saying is based on what I’ve heard from friends and other people, not my personal experience.

For internships, if you’re in Texas, you can expect to be paid around $30 to $35 per hour. The range generally falls between $25 to $35 per hour. Since internships allow you to work 40 hours per week, that adds up to roughly $5,000 per month after taxes. If you go outside Texas, to places like California or New York, the pay is usually higher—around $40 per hour or more.

Regarding full-time jobs, the market is tough right now. If you land a decent entry-level job, you can expect a salary between $90K to $110K per year. The exact figure depends on location. In Texas, the range is usually $85K to $100K, while outside Texas, it can go up to $110K. 

The job search is challenging. When I started my master’s in 2023, I believed that by the time I graduated in 2025, the market would have stabilized and improved. But now, even though people say it’s better, I don’t feel much of a difference.

If you want your master’s journey to be less chaotic, I highly recommend having at least one year of work experience before coming. Even an internship at a reputed company can help. Companies look for candidates with hands-on experience. Master’s programs focus more on research, and you may not get the opportunity to work with the latest industry tools.

Having prior work experience can make a big difference because it proves you have real-world knowledge. While projects during your master’s are useful, they don’t carry as much weight as actual work experience. That’s something I feel I’m missing.

That being said, there are fresh graduates who manage to land jobs even without work experience—it depends on persistence, how well you navigate the job search and a little luck. You have to stay motivated and consistent. Even for those with experience, it’s not necessarily easy, but if you work hard and stay focused, you can make it.

Resources Suggested by TheGradPost

For GRE/GMAT, especially for acing it in the quant session, try out Target Test Prep (TTP).

For air travel and temporary accommodations – MakeMyTrip

For help with a simpler transactions process – HDFC, SBI, ICICI Credit Cards

Connect

Linkedin – Janvita Reddy

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