UT Austin's MSCSO Program: Why I applied and tips for getting accepted

[@2know2learn]

Thank you for sharing.

[@daniel.gallegos]

Sure thing!

[@juancarlosruelas8935]

Congratulations on getting accepted

[@daniel.gallegos]

Thank you!

[@ikwelleemmanuel3380]

Thank you Daniel, How do I apply for a masters program, I couldn't find the portal for application on their site

[@daniel.gallegos]

Hi there! Here is the link to apply to their program: cdso.utexas.edu/apply#how-to-apply

[@jordanzamarripa339]

Did you have to do an interview? Onboarding one or just received an acceptance letter?

[@daniel.gallegos]

I didn't have to do an interview for the program, I simply got an acceptance letter.

[@wesdaaawg]

How long after you submitted your application did you find out that you were accepted?

[@daniel.gallegos]

@wesdaaawg for me it was within a month, so relatively quickly!

[@wesdaaawg]

@@daniel.gallegosthank you for the response! I just applied a few days ago and it’s during the early application period. Hopefully I find out if I have been accepted soon

[@daniel.gallegos]

@wesdaaawg yeah of course! Congrats on finishing the application, that's already a huge step. Whatever they decide, it's great that you applied.

[@amorosov2006]

Congratulations, Daniel! I sent you several questions using linked-in messaging, though now I realize that you answered at least one of them below. Still, would very much appreciate if you take a look. Thanks!

[@daniel.gallegos]

Got it!

[@dryaserdryaser]

Hey, would you share your thoughts on why you took UT Austin's MSCSO instead of Georgia Tech's OMSCS?

[@astech4971]

Had some questions regarding the Online Masters of Computer Science program: 1. Is completion contingent on a thesis, or does it center around project work? 2. What constitutes part-time enrollment in terms of units or classes? 3. Will federal loans be deferred if enrolled part-time? 4. Is there an in-person commencement ceremony upon completion of the program? 5. Are all courses asynchronous, or will classes be able to accommodate for students who work full time?

[@daniel.gallegos]

Good questions! Here are some answers for each: 1. The degree is entirely coursework based and does not involve a thesis. It consists of 10 online courses. 2. Anything less than 9 graduate credits (3 classes) is part time. 3. Generally federal loans are deferred as long as a student is enrolled at least half time (at least 5 graduate credits). 4. Yes. 5. All courses are asynchronous but there are plenty of opportunities to interact with instructors live over video conference.

[@SoumikBanerjee-l7e]

this is not entirely correct Daniel. There are thesis options if you do well in courses and later contact the professors. They have thesis credits offerings for online as well but you got to really do well in your Masters coursework and you are competing for thesis guidance with the on-campus students who are really great@@daniel.gallegos

[@astech4971]

@@daniel.gallegos Any tip when applying? Is there any specific way the Statement of purpose needs to be written? Also congrats on graduating and thank you for the useful information!

[@oskasake]

Nice, I hope after my BSCS at wgu to either follow what you did and go to UT Austin or Georgia Tech OMSCS. I would too take my time as i am working fulltime. I started in march this year, I have until November to complete my CU which is about 11 total classes left. The OMSCS application is due Aug 2024 for the spring 25, Im not sure about UT, but you applied before you got your degree it seems like? If i dont finish by Aug 2024, could i still apply to the schools? Because regardless i will graduate by nov 24 so itll be before spring 25.

[@daniel.gallegos]

Awesome plan! Both UT Austin and Georgia Tech are excellent programs. Yes, I applied before I got my WGU degree. I'll be finishing WGU in May. You could definitely try to apply if you don't finish by Aug 2024, especially if you finish all 6 required prerequisite courses (for UT's program) by then. I wish you the best for your applications!

[@badjuju3101]

Congratulations on the acceptance! I am considering applying for the UT MSCSO and would like to connect with you on linkedIn ask some questions about your experience. I have tried searching but couldn't find you. It would be great if you could provide a link. I am currently working as a research fellow (QNNs) and interested in the intro to QC cause as well. Thanks !!

[@daniel.gallegos]

Thanks so much! Here's my LinkedIn, feel free to DM me any questions: www.linkedin.com/in/-daniel-gallegos/

[@shelby3153]

Congratulations!

[@daniel.gallegos]

Thank you!

[@SimicChameleon]

Congratulation in the computer sciecne degree goal. I am excited to learn of it. What it like taking those lower courses and data structure. Including upper courses too. Is it more of coding or more complex than it is? I am new to computer science. I plan to retake in python.

[@daniel.gallegos]

Thanks for your questions! To clarify, are you asking about cs courses like data structures and algorithms in general, or specifically at WGU or UT? Or something else?

[@adityasamal3140]

How did you get the UT merchandise? Does the university send it to your address

[@daniel.gallegos]

UT didn't send anything to me automatically for getting accepted, I decided to buy it on their online store.

[@adityasamal3140]

@@daniel.gallegos can you explain how exactly do they conduct proctored final exams and do all the courses have a final exam? also what is the difficulty level of assignments and exams. I got accepted into the data science program anything i should know before accepting my offer.

[@SuperHtownswag]

DDamn daniel gallegos. How manyy degrees do you have?

[@daniel.gallegos]

Haha a few :)

[@naevillarreal1052]

How did you get by the gpa 3.00 minimum requirement with wgu pass fail system? I’ve been looking forward to applying I’ve recently graduated with a cs degree from wgu thanks for the video. For your wgu degree did you have any study/sophia classes transferred and do you only need to send your wgu transcripts or do you send older schools transcripts that you never finished a degree in only attended?

[@daniel.gallegos]

Hi, great questions. Congrats on finishing your WGU program! UT has accepted people from WGU before so they understand that we don't have a GPA; the 3.0 GPA requirement is sort of waived since they see the competency model as sufficient. I did have some study.com courses but I didn't send any transcripts from study.com, just from WGU. I also finished all other school transcripts, both from programs I attended and from others I finished. Hope this helps!

[@naevillarreal1052]

Thanks for reply. Last question did they do an interview before your acceptance or after ? I know some schools do an interview

[@daniel.gallegos]

@@naevillarreal1052 No problem, feel free to ask more Q's. I did not have to do an interview for the program.

[@juancarlosruelas8935]

You mentioned you have not completed your WGU program, however requirements state that you include a copy of your award with your transcript, how did you submit your official transcripts? I am in a similar situation 😅

[@daniel.gallegos]

Thanks and congrats on getting accepted too! I'll be done in May and have communicated that I will send my transcript stating my degree is awarded at that time.

[@bibimathew6381]

Congrats! Are you planning on doing it full time or part time? What’s estimated time to finish the program if full time vs part time?

[@daniel.gallegos]

Thanks so much! As of today, I'm planning to do it part time while working full time. I anticipate it'll take about 3 years to finish. Full time, someone can do it in 1.5 to 2 years.

[@imserdar]

Congratulations! Did you submit the GRE scores?

[@daniel.gallegos]

Thanks! I decided not to submit any GRE scores. Mainly I didn't think it would make a big difference for my application.