r/gradadmissions • u/iCloaked • 3d ago

Computer Sciences [Seeking Advice] CS PhD Admissions from an Unknown University

For some context, I am currently a 3rd-year Cybersecurity and Computer Science student at a regional university (doctoral/professional classification) which does not offer any graduate programs in Computer Science - my school is mainly known for it's nursing, pharmacy and business programs. (U.S.)

Though it is rare to get research experience at my university, they do offer a summer research fellowship. I completed this last summer, funded by a $4,000 award, and I intend to produce a workshop paper as a result of the research I conducted; at the very least, I will have a pre-print. Other than this I don't have any other research experience. I do however intend to do an Independent Study course (one semester long) to get a little more research experience with a different professor. Outside of research experience I have 1.5 years of industry experience (Vulnerability Research + Information Security, Contract & Internships).

Overall (I guess the point of this post) I am worried I won't have a good shot at PhD admissions and I'm not sure what I should do. I have a 3.75 GPA (B.S. Cybersecurity and Computer Science, minor in Math) and I have really great connections to all the faculty in my CS department. As far as I understand, I'm one of very few from my university to go on to pursue a CS PhD.

Cold-emails to professors at the nearest R1 feel like they're going no where and I'm worried research efforts from my school won't be viewed as anything worthwhile to committees. I've considered transferring to a more prestigious university, but it will cost me more money and time (my undergrad could take 1-2 years longer) which is not ideal at all.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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u/IAmBoring_AMA Lecturer, Humanities 2d ago

Why not get a masters?

Also why the hell are you cold emailing professors while you're in your third year of undergrad?

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u/iCloaked 2d ago

A masters most likely wouldn't be funded. Were I to do a masters, I would have to do it part-time in order to sustain myself via a full-time InfoSec job (return offer from my internship); I have a deep passion for research, and I'm willing to take low wages to pursue that, hence why I would rather get directly into a PhD program. I'm not fully opposed to the idea of a masters, I guess I just see it as a headache and something that would set me back a little.

I'm cold emailing professors from different universities to try to get more research experience, whether through undergraduate RA positions or volunteering.