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CMU MSR

Program Overview​

Can be treated like a PhD application. MSR is a research-oriented two-year program totaling 168 credits, split evenly between coursework and research. The program's purpose is to train students for research and transitioning to a PhD. Every student is required to work with an advisor on a thesis, with the same requirements as PhD students. However, transferring to a PhD within CMU requires re-applying, and there's no guarantee you'll stay with the same advisor, which is a bit awkward.

Full funding is not guaranteed either. It mainly depends on your interview performance with the advisor and your familiarity with the research area, as well as your proficiency with the relevant toolchain. You might only get partial coverage, and it's even possible that you won't find an advisor at all.

Admission Data Points​

  1. CMU ME undergrad, two publications
  2. Indian student, undergrad GPA 9.12/10, TOEFL 115, had full-time experience at Microsoft and AWS
  3. Chongqing University ME undergrad, GPA 3.84, worked as RA at EPFL
  4. CMU ECE undergrad, had Meta intern and small company intern, one publication
  5. XJTLU undergrad, one publication at time of application, interned at CMU for half a year
  6. SUSTech ME undergrad, GPA 3.94, one ICRA paper at time of application, exchange at MIT
  7. Cornell CS undergrad, 4 years full-time experience, later successfully transferred to CMU MSR PhD
  8. UCB EECS undergrad, GPA 3.86, 2 years as RA, four publications

Advantages​

  1. Two-year duration gives you an extra chance -- you can survive tough times and get an additional H-1B lottery attempt.
  2. If PhD applications don't go well, you can come here for two years and re-apply.

Disadvantages​

If you come to this program for job search purposes, even if you find an internship, you need your advisor's approval to go. Your advisor may also refuse to let you go.