- Hey! Who are you, what are you currently doing and what is your background?
- How did you decide that you wanted to pursue an MS in the US?
- How did you start your application preparation; can you throw some light on profile building, GRE, LORs and SOPs?
- What colleges did you apply for and what was the result?
- Can you tell us more about the course you chose and what the learning outcomes are?
- What is the cost of tuition and cost of living for the program?
- What does the future after master’s look like?
- Resources Suggested by TheGradPost
- Connect
Hey! Who are you, what are you currently doing and what is your background?
My name is Om Amitesh, and I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Computer Science at UCLA. Before this, I completed my Bachelor’s in Computer Science at PES University. I’m a fresh graduate from undergrad who transitioned directly into my Master’s program. I finished my undergrad in 2023 and joined UCLA right after, in the same year.
During my time at PES, I was involved in several projects with professors, and I also interned at Robert Bosch as an MLOps engineer. That internship, along with a research project I did with my capstone advisor at PES, were key experiences where I gained most of my skills.
My capstone project was in bioinformatics, focusing on analyzing RNA Sequencing data of colorectal cancer patients. This project made its way to a NeurIPS workshop and resulted in a journal publication. Although the project was quite specific in scope, my role centered around the engineering side—data cleaning, processing, and setting up pipelines. This work was quite similar to what I did during my internship at Bosch, where I focused heavily on pipelining and other engineering tasks. It’s also the kind of work I look forward to continuing in the industry, particularly in MLOps and operations.
How did you decide that you wanted to pursue an MS in the US?
The influence to pursue my Master’s in the US came mostly from my relatives, especially my cousins who had already come here. But beyond that initial push, I did my own research into how a Master’s degree could be beneficial for my career. I realized it’s a great opportunity to explore different areas of the field—you might find yourself interested in research, which many Master’s programs emphasize, or you might decide to head straight back into the industry. Either way, pursuing a Master’s seemed like a good move to help me figure out where my true interests lie.
As for why I chose a Master’s in Computer Science specifically, I decided against more specialized fields like Data Science or Software Engineering because I felt Computer Science is broader and wouldn’t limit my options when I return to the industry. It gives me the flexibility to explore various paths without being boxed into one niche.
The MSCS program at UCLA doesn’t have strict specializations—you’re not forced to take classes specific to a particular field. That said, most of my courses have focused on Software Engineering and AI, especially Machine Learning. Personally, I really enjoy the ML side of things in the industry. I like the process of taking ideas from research and pushing them into production, blending both theoretical and practical aspects.
How did you start your application preparation; can you throw some light on profile building, GRE, LORs and SOPs?
My general game plan was to first take care of the basic requirements for the application—starting with the exams like GRE and TOEFL. The first step was setting a date for these exams, preparing, and then getting them out of the way. Most colleges these days are waiving the GRE because it’s not considered the best metric for evaluating candidates, but I still recommend giving it your best shot if you’re taking it, since it’s part of your application.
In terms of profile building, apart from the Bosch internship and my capstone project, I did have publications before starting my applications. The first one was at the start of my undergrad, and the second actually consisted of two publications—one was a workshop paper, and the other was a journal paper. Publications are definitely helpful, but they’re not mandatory. What’s important is having something in your profile that will catch the admissions committee’s attention.
GRE/TOEFL
For my GRE prep, I used a service called Manya by the Princeton review, which was pretty helpful. But honestly, if I were to do it again, I’d just use GregMat online and the ETS Big Book. GregMat’s YouTube videos are excellent, and solving the Big Book gives you plenty of practice. You really don’t need to spend a lot of money on classes to do well. My GRE score was 319 in the old format, with 152 in verbal and 167 in quant. But again, a lot of universities don’t even require GRE scores anymore. I submitted my GRE to UCLA, but they didn’t consider it in the application process.
SOP
When it comes to the Statement of Purpose (SOP), I’d say it’s the most important part of your profile—right at the top, followed closely by your resume. Both need to complement each other. Your SOP tells your story, but it’s crucial to be clear and to the point. Specifically for UCLA, the SOP had a 500-word limit, so there wasn’t much room to ramble. I focused on why I was applying to the program, what my goals were, and what I wanted to achieve. Even if your goals or project ideas evolve later, it’s important to present a clear vision of what you hope to do during and after your Master’s.
Alongside the SOP, UCLA’s application also required a personal statement. This is where you can give a broader view of who you are as a person—your interests, how your experiences have shaped you, and how those experiences will contribute to your future. It’s a good place to show your personality beyond academics.
LOR
For Letters of Recommendation (LORs), I had three. Two were from professors at my university—one was my project guide, and the other was someone I worked with on my capstone. The third was from the industry, written by my mentor during my internship at Bosch.
Timelines
I submitted all my applications between November and December 2022. Then, in 2023, I started receiving results around March and April.
What colleges did you apply for and what was the result?
I applied to 8 universities as below.
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Can you tell us more about the course you chose and what the learning outcomes are?
UCLA’s computer science program emphasizes theory. I initially expected a balanced mix of professional and theoretical courses, but I quickly realized that UCLA focuses heavily on theoretical coursework. The faculty design classes to be challenging, often steering students toward research. Instead of offering simple exams, UCLA expects students to engage deeply with course projects that frequently have a research-driven focus. Almost every course I’ve taken has incorporated this aspect. UCLA is a great fit if you’re interested in research.
As for navigating college life at UCLA, getting into the classes you’re most interested in can be quite challenging. Enrolment slots fill up quickly, so as soon as your enrolment window opens, make sure you register immediately. If you don’t get into a class, be ready to approach the professor directly, show genuine interest, and request a spot. They might accommodate you if you demonstrate how much you want to be there.
Also, if you’re coming from a place like Bangalore or anywhere in India, be prepared for a more demanding academic environment. The coursework here is rigorous, and balancing it with your personal life will take some effort. You’ll need to manage your time well to stay on top of everything.
Regarding the cohort size, the master’s program at UCLA is relatively small. We have about 80 students in the master’s cohort. There’s also a BS to MS conversion program, where undergraduates at UCLA can transition into the master’s program. So, a good number of students come through that route as well.
What is the cost of tuition and cost of living for the program?
The tuition costs around $33,000 per year, totaling approximately $66,000 for the two-year program. Instead of being based on credit hours, UCLA charges tuition quarterly at roughly $11,000 per quarter. This fee includes UCLA’s health insurance, which is comprehensive but expensive.
Now, for the cost of living—it’s pretty high, but the neighbourhood is very safe. Rent around Westwood, where UCLA is, will set you back at least $1,400 to $1,500 for a private room. And that $1,400 won’t get you anything particularly fancy, just a basic, decent space. If you want to live more comfortably, you could be paying upwards of $1,800.
Food and other expenses are also significant. You should budget at least $500 to $800 a month for groceries, dining out, and general activities. Getting around LA can be tough without a car, but as a student, you won’t need to move around too much outside of Westwood. The neighborhood itself has plenty of food options, including an Indian restaurant nearby if that’s your thing.
Teaching Assistant (TA) & Research Assistant (RA) Opportunities
When it comes to financial support, TA positions pay pretty well, which helps offset the high living costs. As a TA, you’ll be appointed at 25% of a full-time position, and you’ll get a stipend of around $2,000 per month. On top of that, your tuition fee will be waived. However, you’ll still need to pay the non-resident supplemental fee.
Getting a TA position, though, is quite challenging, especially in your first year. UCLA has a strong PhD program, and since PhD students are fully funded, departments prioritize giving TA and RA positions to them. As a first-year master’s student, it’s tough to land a TA spot. But once you’ve taken a class and built a rapport with a professor, they’re usually happy to recommend you for a TA role.
Personally, I didn’t have a TA-ship in my first year. But starting from my second year, I’ve managed to get one, and I’ve had it for the past couple of quarters. That seems to be the common pattern—most people struggle in the first year, but by the second year, you’ll likely land at least one quarter of TA work. And trust me, that financial support makes a huge difference.
What does the future after master’s look like?
The most attractive thing about UCLA is its strong brand value. Most companies view you favorably just because of that. When it comes to internships, though, it’s been tough—especially during 2023 and 2024. The market’s been challenging, and while UCLA’s name helps, internships are more of a numbers game. You need to apply widely and put in the effort yourself.
For full-time roles, as a fresh software engineering graduate in the Bay Area, you can expect a salary of around $150K. But remember, these are region-adjusted salaries. The Bay Area is expensive, so salaries reflect that. In other parts of the US, you might see lower numbers. Still, $150K is a solid benchmark for new grads from the UCLA master’s program.
Having prior work experience definitely gives you an edge. People who came here with some professional background generally find it easier to land jobs and internships. If you have one or two years of experience before starting your master’s, you’ll not only get a head start but might also command a better salary than the average $150K.
I was fortunate enough to secure an internship in my first year, and that was largely due to my previous experience at Bosch. They were looking for someone with MLOps skills, and my background fit the bill perfectly.
Getting that internship wasn’t easy, though. In the US, there’s no real concept of on-campus placements like in India. Universities might host career fairs, but catching a recruiter’s attention there is tough. I relied heavily on LinkedIn—applying through job postings and actively networking with alumni from both UCLA and my undergrad in India. Referrals play a huge role here. I managed to get a recruiter’s attention on LinkedIn, thanks to my previous experience. After setting up a one-on-one meeting, I found a team looking for my skill set, and that’s how I secured the internship.
Networking is key—for internships, jobs, everything.
I completed my internship last September, and they were generous enough to offer me a full-time position, which I plan to join after my graduation, hopefully by the end of March. I’ve been pretty fortunate in that regard, but getting an internship or a job here really depends on your own efforts. But yeah, fingers crossed—hopefully no rollbacks or surprises!
Resources Suggested by TheGradPost
For GRE/GMAT, especially for acing it in the quant session, try out Target Test Prep (TTP).
Air travel and temporary accommodations – MakeMyTrip
Help with a simpler transactions process – HDFC, SBI, ICICI Credit Cards
Connect
Linkedin – Om Amitesh
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