Application Note University of Massachusetts – Amherst – M.S in Computer Science I PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Computation has become a vital part of nearly everything in our world Biology, communications, education, environmental studies, healthcare, law, art, finance, manufacturing, transportation, entertainment, agriculture, energy, sports, government, and many other aspects of our world heavily rely on the advances brought about by computer scientists Our degree programs are designed to train a new generation of computer scientists people like you, people who want to change the world with their dedication, knowledge, and expertise, be it within the realm of computer science or in one of the many areas that are critically affected by it The Computer Science undergraduate programs at the University of Massachusetts Amherst include a Bachelors of Science (BS) degree, a Bachelors of Arts (BA) degree, and a minor that can complement most other major degrees At the graduate level, we offer Master's and PhD degrees https://www.cics.umass.edu/content/future-students II DEADLINE The full-time graduate program admission deadlines are: October for Spring enrollment (Master's Program only) December 15 for Fall enrollment Note: We currently not accept applications to our MS/Ph.D or Ph.D programs for Spring enrollment We also not offer online and part-time Graduate Programs at this time https://www.cics.umass.edu/admissions/application-instructions III.ADMISSION REQUIREMENT APPLICATION MATERIALS All students are required to submit the following: Online Application (if you get an error page, try closing all browser tabs and try again) Personal Statement Transcripts Letters of Recommendation (References can submit their letters through the online system, snail mail to the admissions office, or in pdf form to gradadm@grad.umass.edu) Official GRE Scores (ETS University Code is 3917, there is no Dept Code) TOEFL Scores (exemption information) Application Note We strongly recommend that all students submit required materials to the Graduate Admissions Office before the deadline to ensure appropriate consideration Although application files are started when credentials are received, you can expedite the processing of your graduate application by making sure that your application is submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office before requesting that transcripts, GRE scores, and two letters of recommendation are sent Ensure that all credentials, especially "older" transcripts, have your name in the same form as it appears on your application If you are a foreign student, it helps to underline your family name for easy filing STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES Although the University of Massachusetts requires official GRE and TOEFL score reports, the Graduate School is willing to accept certified or notarized copies of these reports when foreign exchange creates a financial burden on the applicant GRE The GRE test is required Although standardized tests are by no means the only criteria considered, historically successful applicants average 600+/4.0 in each of the three areas (verbal, quantitative, written) Based on the new scale we expect the average would be 160+ (verbal), 155+ (Quantitative), 4.0 (Written) GRE's can be retaken Both scores will be included in your application If your GRE General Test scores are older than five years from your anticipated date of entrance, you must retake the examination Waivers of this policy will not be granted TOEFL/IELTS/PTE The TOEFL is required for foreign students This is a University Graduate School requirement Applicants who not score an 80 or above in the iBT are not encouraged to apply TOEFL may be waived if the applicant has attended on a full-time basis an American college or university for a period of at least two academic years immediately preceding anticipated entrance date TOEFL scores are valid for years from expected entrance date The University of Massachusetts Amherst also accepts the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) The official test scores must be mailed to the Graduate Student Service Center The minimum combined IELTS score needed is 6.5, minimum score for PTE is 75 Be sure to have your TOEFL score (or a copy of the results) sent to the Graduate Admissions Office as soon as possible The ETS University code is 3917, there is no Dept code APPLICATION FEE The Graduate Admissions Office cannot consider any application for admission to the University of Application Note Massachusetts Amherst unless that application is accompanied by the required fee United States Citizens: A waiver of this fee is available only to those U.S citizens who are currently enrolled as full-time undergraduate students and who have qualified for a waiver of the GRE fee through their undergraduate financial aid office A statement from a college or university financial aid officer attesting to receipt of, or eligibility for, the GRE fee waiver must accompany the application Foreign applicants: Submission of the application processing fee is required Neither the College of Information and Computer Sciences nor the Graduate Admissions Office has any authority to waive or defer this fee under any circumstance Please make sure that your application fee check is securely attached to your application Remember, your application will not be processed if the fee is not enclosed https://www.cics.umass.edu/admissions/application-instructions Q What are the average test scores and GPA of accepted applicants? A For PhD admissions, many factors affect application success far more than the GPA and test scores, including the applicant's research experience, the strength of the recommendation letters, and the statement of purpose Still, our accepted students' test scores and GPA tend to be high For MS admissions, 90% of our recent accepted students' GRE math scores were 160 or higher, GRE verbal scores were 150 or higher, GRE analytic writing scores were or higher, and GPAs were 3.2 or higher We aim for all our students to have a TOEFL score above 100 https://www.cics.umass.edu/admissions/application-faq IV PROCESS & MAILING ADDRESS Q Where should I send my Transcripts? A Official Transcripts should be sent to Graduate Admissions Office, 530 Goodell Building, 140 Hicks Way, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003 https://www.cics.umass.edu/admissions/application-faq V SOP/ESSAY/WRITING SAMPLE Application Note ANSWERS TO COMMON RESUME QUESTIONS https://www.cics.umass.edu/careers/articles/resume-checklist VI ADDITIONAL NOTE FOR INT’L APPLICANT TOEFL/IELTS/PTE The TOEFL is required for foreign students This is a University Graduate School requirement Applicants who not score an 80 or above in the iBT are not encouraged to apply TOEFL may be waived if the applicant has attended on a full-time basis an American college or university for a period of at least two academic years immediately preceding anticipated entrance date TOEFL scores are valid for years from expected entrance date The University of Massachusetts Amherst also accepts the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) The official test scores must be mailed to the Graduate Student Service Center The minimum combined IELTS score needed is 6.5, minimum score for PTE is 75 Be sure to have your TOEFL score (or a copy of the results) sent to the Graduate Admissions Office as soon as possible The ETS University code is 3917, there is no Dept code https://www.cics.umass.edu/admissions/application-instructions Graduate Student Rates Fall 2018-Spring 2019 https://www.umass.edu/bursar/sites/default/files/Graduate%20Student%20Rates%20Fall%202018Spring%202019.pdf VII STATUS CHECK (申申申申申申申申申申申申申申申申申申) https://www.spire.umass.edu/psp/heproda/? cmd=login&languageCd=ENG&_ga=2.34612193.1960274431.15432097161577954573.1543209716# VIII OTHER / FINANCIAL AID / INTERVIEW Q What are my chances of getting an assistantship (financial aid)? A For PhD and MS/PhD track students, it is our policy to provide financial aid (assistantships) to those admitted students requesting it (with occasional exceptions) Stipends come in the form of Application Note Research/Teaching Assistantships (12 month or month) For example, stipends for the Academic Year 2015-2016 were $31,000.00 for 12 month appointments For MS track students, the College of Information and Computer Sciences does not provide financial support (The only exception is UMass Amherst undergraduates admitted via the Bay State Fellowship Program.) It is also worth mentioning that the cost of living is cheaper in the Pioneer Valley than many other places which makes it easier to live on the level of support we offer https://www.cics.umass.edu/admissions/application-faq ... TEST SCORES Although the University of Massachusetts requires official GRE and TOEFL score reports, the Graduate School is willing to accept certified or notarized copies of these reports when foreign... entrance date The University of Massachusetts Amherst also accepts the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) The official test scores... full-time undergraduate students and who have qualified for a waiver of the GRE fee through their undergraduate financial aid office A statement from a college or university financial aid officer