MS in Computer Science

The university requires to provide a 1 - 2 page, double-spaced personal statement which includes the following: Why do you want to undertake graduate work? Why do you qualify to pursue a graduate degree at Virginia Tech? What do you expect to derive from your program of study? If you have a concentration or area of interest in mind, briefly outline your interests in this area. What do you expect to contribute as a student and subsequently as a member of the profession? If you have not previously indicated in your application the names of faculty members you are interested in working with, please include that information in this statement.

Describe any experience you have had that has prepared you for a research-oriented graduate program. Include (1) a brief description of any experiences you have had that indicate your suitability for doing independent research at the graduate level; (2) a clear indication of which graduate degree(s) you plan to pursue, and if at the MS level whether the degree option will be Coursework-only or Thesis; and (3) why you wish to pursue a computer science degree at Virginia Tech in particular.

List any research publications for which you are an author or co-author. Include any thesis or dissertation you might have completed, and any journal or conference papers (be sure to indicate the publication status, whether in preparation, submitted, accepted, or published). Do not include any papers done for a course or published in a local university publication unless it was also submitted to a national conference or journal. If the publication was not in English, indicate the language of publication.