Computer Science REU: Admissions & Acceptance Rates

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the admissions process and acceptance rates for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) in computer science. Participants share their experiences and seek advice on how to enhance their chances of acceptance, particularly for aspiring PhD students in the field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in pursuing advanced studies in computer science and seeks information on the value of REUs for PhD admissions, questioning the acceptance rates.
  • Another participant shares their experience with a highly competitive REU, noting a low acceptance rate and suggesting that applying to multiple programs is essential.
  • There is a suggestion that some REUs may have higher acceptance rates than others, prompting a participant to consider alternative options such as working with a professor if they cannot secure an REU.
  • A controversial suggestion is made regarding how to present oneself in applications, highlighting the complexities of admissions beyond academic performance.
  • One participant notes the lack of computer science REU topics compared to math and physics, indicating a perceived disparity in available information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the competitive nature of REUs, but there is no consensus on specific acceptance rates or the best strategies for application. Multiple viewpoints on how to approach applications and the importance of diversity in admissions are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the competitiveness of various REUs and the factors influencing admissions decisions, including personal background and academic performance.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduate students interested in pursuing REUs in computer science, particularly those considering advanced studies in the field.

James LeBron
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone. I've gotten interested in the field of computer science lately, and I'm thinking of pursuing advanced study in that field. I am currently a rising sophomore at a top 10 school in the U.S. and will likely major in computer science (if not, math). I would like to know a little more about admissions with computer science research experience for undergraduates. I haven't found that much information online as compared to, say, math REUs.

So far, the only computer science classes I've taken are the standard two intro classes - programming I and programming II in Java. However, I've been exposed to a lot of graduate-level projects in computer science that intrigued me, especially with AI, 3-D rendering, algorithms, and others. I plan to take, at minimum, 3 more computer science classes in the next school year, as well as related math classes.

I've looked at some REU's in computer science, but most don't give me a lot of information about admission. How valuable are they for an aspiring PhD student? Is the acceptance ratio greater than or less than 10 percent? What are the most competitive and least competitive REU's to get in? (I'm not saying that there are bad REU's - I just want to see if I can get in one after my sophomore year and I'm aware that I'll be aiming low to start.) I'm hoping to eventually get accepted to a PhD program in computer science ranked in the 20-30 range.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The REU I am in right now, an Earth science one, had 485 applicants for 10 or so spots (there are 30 ish interns but 20 came from the original school and were not included in the same applicant field). Suffice to say that REU's are super competitive, and they don't necessarily accept the best students. I applied to 10 and only got into one, which happened to be the most competitive one by chance. Its basically a crapshoot. Don't aim low, aim wide. Apply to all that interest you.
 
That's disappointing, and I will aim wide. But there have to be some programs that are not as competitive, i.e. they accept 10% of their applicants rather than 3%. I'll try and ask around more in my school. If I can't get an REU I suppose working with a professor at my school is the alternative.
 
Does anyone else have thoughts?
 
Tell them you're black. And poor. And don't tell them you go to a good school, say you're from a community college.

Otherwise, if you're not the best student in your department, you will be hard up.
 
Well, I do fall in the category of minorities, but of course that's no guarantee. Anyway I'll just be doing my applications, then. It's weird to see a lot of math and physics REU topics here, but not many computer science REU topics given that computer science relates a lot to math and physics.
 

Similar threads

Courses Advanced Math for Computational Material Science Engineering
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Admissions BS Physics to Ph.D. in Computer Science
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Programs Questions Regarding Undergrad REU Programs
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Admissions What REU's to apply to with a mediocre GPA?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Any tips for doing a PhD in theoretical physics?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
Programs Help with Physics REU List for Sophomore Female Student
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Admissions Should I submit an 840 PGRE in my applications to top US PhD programs?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Mathematics for computer science
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Admissions Non-thesis masters in Material Science to Material Science PhD
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Admissions Admission into Princeton Grad School
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K