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I have around 8 years of work experience. At this stage, the possible step is to go along management track. But, I am neither interested nor does it appeal to me. Thinking more on this, I have decided to go back to school, preferably for a PhD or, in the worst case, a master's degree.

My GRE and GPA are not so strong: 1100 GRE with 770 in math and 3.0 GPA (out of 4.0). My experience includes companies like Amazon and Zynga, but I have no research experience whatsoever.

Am I a good candidate for PhD or master's with research? My primary interests are in computer graphics or applied mathematics in simulation/visualization. What do you suggest I do? I am aiming for top 20 schools, but not sure if it will be right thing to do.

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  • Welcome to AC.SE. I am struggling to see what your question is. It might help if you take a look at some of the related questions about graduate-admissions.
    – StrongBad
    Aug 22, 2013 at 9:31
  • Thank you. In simple, I want to know if work experience in industry will add to grad admissions of top universities in USA. I mentioned my GRE and GPA.
    – Spiralarchitect
    Aug 22, 2013 at 11:48
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    That would be a good, and I think new, question. I would suggest you look at previous questions and answers and then edit your question to get at what value admissions committees place on previous industry work experience.
    – StrongBad
    Aug 22, 2013 at 12:09

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I would strongly recommend sitting in on, or somehow actually enrolling in, some upper level class at a local university. Treat it as if you were actually enrolled, and ask (beg) the professor to grade your homework and exams. And be sure to sign up for something brutally hard.

This will let you test your chops, and if you excel, then you can ask the professor to write a letter of recommendation.

Please keep in mind that top 20 programs are extremely competitive, and reject very many good people. Your competitors will have letters of recommendation from professors specifically familiar with the requirements of Top 20 programs, confidently saying that they are prepared to handle it.

An alternative would be to try to get into a master's program at a lower-tier university. If you prove yourself to be head and shoulders above everyone else, you can ask your professors to support transfer applications to better programs.

Your work experience is likely to count for very little, or perhaps even against you, since you have been out of school for so long. Sorry -- that's just how it is.

This is a hard road, I have at least sort of walked it myself. Good luck to you!

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  • Thanks a lot for your reply. I will follow your suggestions.
    – Spiralarchitect
    Sep 7, 2013 at 17:50

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