MIT CSE
Program Overview
Full name: Master of Science in Computational Science and Engineering. Focused on computation and foundational sciences, with courses primarily covering optimization and numerical computing. CSE is jointly offered with eight departments: Mathematics, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Nuclear Science and Engineering. This is not a CS program -- if you want to apply to a pure CS program, check out MIT EECS instead. MIT CSE is also fully funded, with full tuition coverage + $3k stipend without needing to TA.
MIT CSE has currently stopped admitting students. It is uncertain when they will resume admitting external applicants (26fall update):
Admission Threshold & Data Points
Annual enrollment is around 15 students. Domestic top 2 universities' Math/Physics/Chemistry/Civil Engineering/Materials/Engineering undergrads, with hardcore research experience. Previous data points:
- Top 10 liberal arts college CS+Math undergrad, GPA 4.0, NASA internship
- UIUC Physics+Statistics, GPA 3.91, multiple on-campus SDE intern experiences
- Top 50 US undergrad ECE, GPA 4.0, DRW + Citadel intern
- IIT Math undergrad, three years of SDE experience in the scientific computing industry
Job Outcomes
Primarily quant roles. Most go to top 3 hedge funds as QRs. Some also go to Nvidia as SWEs.
Transferring to PhD
As long as your advisor agrees, it's very flexible.