u/Abhiroop0101

Qualifications: I'm graduating with BTech in Computer Science Engineering this year from a private Tier-3 institute.

Summary: Have been preparing for Gate CS for a few years, got a very average score this year (629). I got a avg. package job but left it in favor of doing Masters/PhD. Also I come from a middle-income household and not the best condition financially.

Plan/Dreams: I am interested in teaching as career, and hence my interest to do higher studies. But, it is an obligation in academia that college professors are expected to do research, in good universities at least and have a PhD for promotion. Honestly I am not a naturally good student, so definitely not someone with research aptitude.

I am interested in mathematics (doesn't mean I am very good) over the coding and development aspect of CS. But Theoretical Computer Science is honestly a difficult field to master, and research in the field is even more difficult. Corporate jobs are non-existent, so if I want to back-off from academia and do a job to save money, I will have to learn other skills. Also, Systems and AI/ML feels extremely crowded, and I am not particularly have interest in pursuing those domains as career.

I am considering 2 options now. Both involves doing MTech from the best college (some old NIT/new IIT) I get with this score now.
Then either:

1. Try for PhD admissions in Theory CS at mid IITs places where I have good chances of landing a position. For that I will have to prepare for other exams and also read and solve more books in Discrete Mathematics, Probability, LA and Algorithms. That would restrict my job options to only academia, and after MTech if required for few years to become financially stable I wont be able to get a role in an IT company.
2. Change my domain. I have some interest in Statistics (comes from interest in mathematics), and data analysis is a field with good job opportunities related to it. So I can start preparing for Gate Statistics and prepare SQL/Python and other important things for data analyst parallel during my MTech. So I can have both avenues open. (Also I am familiar with basic ML and python as part of BTech experience, like most BTech grads now, that may help)

Questions:

1. Also is it possible to transition to Pure Mathematics?
2. Will be be harder than Stats, how is the competition? Or should I give up the 2nd option entirely?
3. Is 1st option actually doable, and should I risk it?
4. Which of these options would be a better choice? If some one who is doing higher studies in Stats/Math can provide insights, it would be immensely helpful!

Thank you for reading all the way, any help is appreciated.
Just do not ask me to appear for Gate CS again. 🙏🏻

Qualifications: I'm graduating with BTech in Computer Science Engineering this year from a private Tier-3 institute.

Summary: Have been preparing for Gate CS for a few years, got a very average score this year (629). I got a avg. package job but left it in favor of doing Masters/PhD. Also I come from a middle-income household and not the best condition financially.

Plan/Dreams: I am interested in teaching as career, and hence my interest to do higher studies. But, it is an obligation in academia that college professors are expected to do research, in good universities at least and have a PhD for promotion. Honestly I am not a naturally good student, so definitely not someone with research aptitude.

I am interested in mathematics (doesn't mean I am very good) over the coding and development aspect of CS. But Theoretical Computer Science is honestly a difficult field to master, and research in the field is even more difficult. Corporate jobs are non-existent, so if I want to back-off from academia and do a job to save money, I will have to learn other skills. Also, Systems and AI/ML feels extremely crowded, and I am not particularly have interest in pursuing those domains as career.

I am considering 2 options now. Both involves doing MTech from the best college (some old NIT/new IIT) I get with this score now.
Then either:

1. Try for PhD admissions in Theory CS at mid IITs places where I have good chances of landing a position. For that I will have to prepare for other exams and also read and solve more books in Discrete Mathematics, Probability, LA and Algorithms. That would restrict my job options to only academia, and after MTech if required for few years to become financially stable I wont be able to get a role in an IT company.
2. Change my domain. I have some interest in Statistics (comes from interest in mathematics), and data analysis is a field with good job opportunities related to it. So I can start preparing for Gate Statistics and prepare SQL/Python and other important things for data analyst parallel during my MTech. So I can have both avenues open. (Also I am familiar with basic ML and python as part of BTech experience, like most BTech grads now, that may help)

Questions:

1. Also is it possible to transition to Pure Mathematics?
2. Will be be harder than Stats, how is the competition? Or should I give up the 2nd option entirely?
3. Is 1st option actually doable, and should I risk it?
4. Which of these options would be a better choice? If some one who is doing higher studies in Stats/Math can provide insights, it would be immensely helpful!

Thank you for reading all the way, any help is appreciated.
Just do not ask me to appear for Gate CS again. 🙏🏻

I would be coming for my written test scheduled on 6th May, for CSE department.
As no Gate pass or any proper hostel allotment for the stay (I have requested for accommodation for which I only got a approval) was emailed,
I have 2 main questions:

1. What would I show at the Gate for entry? Does the print out of approval pdf from OHM work?
2. In which hostel are rooms usually allotted? Also, does the fees paid for the hostel (as temporary guest) for interviews also include mess charges for the hostel or we have to pay separately?

Any sort of info regarding this would be helpful!
Thank you.