u/BothMarionberry3880

Hey guys! I'm planning to apply for thesis-based MSCS programs along with direct-entry PhD programs for the upcoming cycle, but I’m struggling to figure out what range of schools is realistic for my profile. I don’t personally know anyone who applied to thesis-based MSCS programs with a research-heavy background like mine, so I’d appreciate any advice.

Profile:

• Country: USA
• Undergrad: Transferred from a regional college to a local R1 university
• Major/Minor: CS major + Mathematics minor
• GPA: 3.36/4.0 at regional college, 3.65/4.0 at R1 university
• GRE: 145V / 158Q currently (planning to retake; aiming for 165+Q)

Research Interests:
Machine learning, multi-agent systems, and interpretable ML.

Research Experience:

• Algorithms research shadow at the previous college
• Second author on a NeurIPS workshop oral + AAAI workshop paper (multimodal ML)
• Submitted a first-author paper to 2 ICML workshops (multi-agent systems)
• Currently leading a third research project that will likely be submitted to a workshop
• ICML workshop reviewer

Industry Experience:

• AI intern at a software insurance company
• Incoming ML intern at a Fortune 500 biotech company
• Google Summer of Code 2026 contributor

Other Activities:

• Multivariable calculus grader
• Former recruitment chair for a tech fraternity
• Former NCAA D3 varsity athlete

I know my GPA and current GRE are weaker than those of typical top-tier applicants, so I’m trying to understand:

• What range of MSCS thesis programs would be realistic?
• whether direct-entry PhD programs are viable,
• and whether I should focus more on research-heavy MSCS programs first.

I’d especially appreciate recommendations for schools strong in ML/AI where research experience is weighted heavily.