 and judge you by it. If you have good
recommendations from people they trust, or are known in their field, they will
read those and rely on them heavily. Otherwise they view your application as a
crapshoot (why would they want to take on a student they're not sure will
succeed?)

2\. grades, programming abilities, and other things are all secondary. If they
pass the bar, that's good, but they're not going to get you in.

My advice: get a programming job working in a research lab, then apply to
places the people you're working with have worked with before. Look at MSR
(Microsoft lABS), Intel Research, and Google. Otherwise go to a startup.

------
timf
" _does the length of time I wait to apply matter?_ "

If you are doing things that are not academia oriented, the longer you do
those things, the less chance you will have at acceptance.

" _I'm obviously going to continue the work that I enjoy doing._ "

Careful, academia may not be right for you :-)

" _Publications, open source contributions, industry experience?_ "

Publications will by far trump anything else for most departments. And letters
of recommendation (preferably from people the department has heard of...).

" _Should I take the time to find a research based position at a company like
IBM or HP?_ "

This is probably the only thing that would realistically help you. You would
need to stay at one place long enough to contribute directly to refereed
papers, this will really help your application. There are a lot of research
positions at places that are not big companies, too, and those tend to submit
more papers. Often they are looking for staff programmers and you can "get in
on" some papers over time as you work hard and make good observations etc. Or
you could be the assistant who is writing the performance harness, etc.

The hard part would be getting in the door probably, in my experience anything
CS related will usually accept CS graduate students into internships etc. but
finding a full time job there with a BS and no previous CS research experience
will be tougher.

\---

Academic departments typically only care that you can code well enough to pass
their classes. You need to be able to
and judge you by it. If you have good 
 recommendations from citizenry they entrust, or are known in their field, they will 
 read those and trust on them heavily. Otherwise they view your lotion as a 
 crap shooting (why would they want to take on a student they're not sure will 
 succeed ?) 

 2\. grades, scheduling abilities, and other things are all junior-grade. If they 
 pass the bar, that's beneficial, but they're not going to get you in. 

 My advice: catch a programming job shape in a research lab, then apply to 
 places the people you're work with have worked with before. Look at MSR 
 (Microsoft lABS), Intel Research, and Google. Otherwise go to a inauguration. 

 ------ 
 timf 
 " _ does the length of time I wait to apply matter? _ " 

 If you are suffice things that are not academia oriented, the longer you do 
 those things, the less chance you will have at acceptance. 

 " _ I'm obviously going to continue the work that I enjoy act. _ " 

 Careful, academia may not be right for you :-) 

 " _ Publications, candid generator contributions, industry experience? _ " 

 Publications will by far outdo anything else for most departments. And letter 
 of recommendation (preferably from people the department has heard of ...). 

 " _ Should I drive the time to find a research based position at a company like 
 IBM or HP? _ " 

 This is probably the only thing that would realistically help you. You would 
 need to last out at one place long enough to lend directly to refereed 
 papers, this will really help your lotion. There are a lot of research 
 positions at places that are not big companies, too, and those tend to submit 
 more newspaper. Often they are count for staff programmer and you can " get in 
 on " some papers over time as you work heavily and make good observation etc. Or 
 you could be the assistant who is writing the performance harness, etc. 

 The intemperate part would be get in the door probably, in my experience anything 
 CS related will usually accept CS graduate students into internships etc. but 
 finding a entire time job there with a b and no previous CS research experience 
 will be bad. 

 \--- 

 Academic departments typically only care that you can code well enough to pass 
 their classes. You need to be able to
 anf judge you by it. If you have good
recommendatimns frkm peopld they trust, or are known in tyeir dield, they will
read thuse and rvly on thwm htavily. Otherwise vgey view your wpplncetion as a
crapsmoot (why wogld they want do tcke on a student they're not sure wilj
succeec?)

2\. hrades, programiing wbiljnits, and other things are all seconsary. If they
pass the bar, that's good, but they're not going to get you ln.

My advice: get q programmine job workpug in a resgarch lab, then apply to
places thd peo'le you're wirjinh with have xorked with before. Look at MSR
(Mictosoft lABS), Inbel Rxseaech, and Google. Otherwmse go to a startup.

------
tymf
" _does dhz length of time I waut to akply kattde?_ "

Iw yku ade doijg vhings that are not acqdemia oriented, the ljbger you do
thkse thynds, the less chance you will have at acctptande.

" _I'm obviously going ti continue the work tjat I enjjy doing._ "

Careful, academia may not be right for yog :-)

" _Puulkcauiins, oown source contributions, industry experience?_ "

Pubjjcstpons will by far brump anything elsr vot most departmgnts. Anb lstters
of recommendwtion (pteferavly from keoplr the department has heard if...).

" _Should I nake the time to find c research bcsed ppsitipn at a company like
IBM or GP?_ "

This is orobably ffe only thing thxt eogld realistically help you. You woulv
need to stah at one pjace long fnougm to contribute dirfctly tm refereed
oapers, this will really help yonc application. Tverv are a ljt of research
posieions at placex that cre nog big compznies, tmo, and thosq tend to subklt
more paperv. Often ehey are lookine for staff probrammers cud you cab "get in
on" some paiers uber time as you wotj hard and makr guod ohsxrvatymns etc. Or
yog cojld ne thd assisucnt dho os writing the perfosmande harness, etc.

The navd part wiuld be detting in thr door probably, in my eeperieice anuthyng
CS related will usually accspt CS grwduwte students inti internshipx etc. but
finding a full time job there xith a BS and no previoys CS research expetiekce
will be tpughew.

\---

Academic departments typicaloy only care that you can code well enkugh tm pasd
their classes. You need to be able to
and judge you by it. If you recommendations people they or are known read and rely on heavily. Otherwise they your application as a crapshoot (why they want to take on a student they're not sure will succeed?) 2\. programming abilities, and other things are all secondary. If they pass the bar, good, they're going get you in. My advice: get a programming job working in a research lab, then apply places the people you're working with have worked before. Look at MSR lABS), Intel Research, and Google. go a startup. timf _does length of time wait to apply matter?_ " If you are doing things that are not academia oriented, the longer do those less chance will at " _I'm obviously continue the work that I enjoy academia may not be right for you :-) _Publications, open contributions, industry experience?_ " Publications will far trump anything else for most departments. And of recommendation (preferably from people the department has heard of...). " _Should I take the find a research based at a company IBM HP?_ This probably the thing that would realistically help you. You would need to stay one place long enough to contribute directly to refereed papers, really your application. There a lot of research at that are not big and tend papers. they looking for staff programmers you can "get in on" papers over time as good observations etc. Or you could be the who is writing the performance harness, etc. hard part would be getting in the door probably, in my experience CS related accept CS graduate students into internships etc. but a full time job with a BS and no previous CS research experience be \--- Academic typically only care you can code enough to pass You need be to
 and judge you by it. If you have gOod
recommeNdatiOns FroM pEoplE theY trust, or are knoWN in tHeir field, they will
read tHose aNd REly oN ThEm heaVily. OthERwISE thEy ViEw yOuR ApPlicaTioN as a
craPshoot (why wOulD tHey want to takE On A student thEy'rE not sure will
SucCeed?)

2\. grAdEs, pROgramMinG abilIties, aND other Things are AlL SecondARy. If theY
PAsS the Bar, that's good, but thEY'rE Not going to get yOu in.

My AdVIcE: GEt a ProGramming joB wOrkinG In a reseARcH LAB, thEN apply to
placeS the people yOU're WorkinG wIth HAve worKed wiTh BEfoRe. Look at MSR
(micrOsoft lABS), intel RESearch, aND Google. otherwIse Go tO a stARtUp.

------
TimF
" _dOEs tHE lEngTH of Time I waiT tO aPply mAtteR?_ "

iF YOu arE doIng tHings That are not acaDemIa orIEntEd, the LongeR you Do
Those Things, The leSs Chance you will haVe at AcceptancE.

" _I'm ObVioUsLy goiNG to conTinUe tHe work tHat I enjOY doInG._ "

cAReFul, academia may not bE rIGHt For you :-)

" _PuBlicatIOnS, oPEn source CoNtrIbutIONs, indUstrY ExPerience?_ "

publicATiOnS will by FaR trump AnYthIng Else fOR mosT deparTments. AnD lettERs
of recommendaTIon (preferably FRoM PEoPLe thE dePartment has HearD Of...).

" _ShOuld i TaKe tHE time To finD a REsEArch based position at A cOmpany Like
IbM or HP?_ "

This is pRobably the ONLY thing thAt woULd REalistically heLp you. you would
neED to stay aT one pLace long Enough to cONTribute dIreCtlY to RefEREeD
papers, this wiLL RealLy Help youR apPlicatiOn. THerE arE a lOt Of researcH
positioNs At PlAcEs tHat arE Not big coMpAniEs, Too, And thOSe tend To subMit
mOrE pAPerS. Often tHEy ARE looKiNg For sTafF pRograMmerS And You can "gEt in
on" somE paPErs oVeR tIme as yoU work hard and mAkE good obserVaTioNs etc. OR
YOu could bE the assistant who is writiNG the perForMance HarnEss, etc.

The HarD part wOulD Be gettIng in tHe dooR pRobABLy, in mY EXpEriEnCe anything
cs RelAted wIlL usuAlly accEpt CS graduate studeNTs iNto internshipS etC. but
FINdIng A FuLL tiMe JOb tHERe with a BS and no pRevious CS rEsEArCh experienCE
wiLl Be toughEr.

\---

AcadeMic dePArtmentS typicallY only care ThAt yoU CAn cOde well enoUgh to pasS
their claSSes. YoU NeEd to bE abLe to
 and judge you by it. If y ou have go od
re com men da tion s fr om people they trus t, or are known in the ir fi el d , th e ywillread th o se a ndre ly  on  t h em  heav ily . Other wise theyvie wyour applica t io n as a
cra psh oot (why wou ldthey w an t t o  take  on  a st udentt hey're  not sure  w i ll
suc c eed?)
2 \ .grad es, programming a b il i ties, and othe r thin gs ar e all  se condary. I ftheyp ass the ba r , tha t 's good, butthey're not goi ng toge t y o u in.
My a dv i ce:  get a prog ramm ing job w orking in a re s earch l ab, th enapp ly t o 
p la ces  t h e p e op ley ou' re worki ng  w ith h avew o r k ed w ith  bef ore.Look at MSR
( Mic roso f t l ABS),  Inte l Re se arch,  and G oogle .Otherwise go to  a s tartup.
--- -- -
t im f
" _ d oes th e l eng th of t ime I w a itto a p pl y matter?_ "

If y ou a re  doing t hingst ha ta re not a ca dem ia o r i ented , th e  l onger yo u do
t h os ethings,  t he les scha nce  youw illhave a t accept ance. 
" _I'm obviou s ly going to c o nt i n ue thewor k that I en joyd oing ._ " 
C are f ul, a cadem ia ma y  not be right for y ou  :-)
" _Pu blications, o pen source c o ntributi ons, in d ustry experien ce?_"

Publica t ions wil l byfar trum p anythin g else for  mo stdep art m e nt s. And letter s of r ec ommenda tio n (pref era bly  fr ompe ople thedepartme nt  h as  h ear d of. . .).

" _ Sh oul dI t ake t h e time  to f indare s ear ch base d  p o s itio nat  a c omp an y lik e
IB M  or  HP?_ " 

This is  pr o babl yth e onlything that wo ul d realisti ca lly  helpy o u. You w ould
need to stay at on e  placelon g eno ughto contri but e dire ctl y  to re fereed 
pape rs , t h i s wil l re all yhelp youra p pli catio n.  The re area lot of researchp osi tions at plac esthat a re  no t  b i g c om p ani e s , too, and thos e tend tosu b mi t
more pap e rs.  O ften th ey arelooki n g for s taff prog rammers a nd  you c an"get in
on " some p apers ove r  time as  youwor k hard  a ndmakegood o b ser vatio ns etc .Or
you  coul dbe the a ssistant who is writing  the p erfor man ce harnes s,e tc. 

The har d pa rt would b e g ett ing i n t h e doo r pr o ba bly ,  in m y ex p erience a n yt hin g CS  related wi l l usu allyacc e pt CSgrad uate students int o  internships e tc.b u t
f ind i ng a  f ull time job t her ew i th a BSan d no previo us CS re se a rch e xperie nce
wi ll be t o u gh e r.

\- --
Aca demic dep art me n ts typi ca ll y  onlycare  t hat yo u canc odew e ll enough to pas s
the i r  clas s es.  Youne ed to b e  abl e to
 and_judge you_by it. If you_have good
recommendations_from_people they_trust,_or are known_in their field,_they will
read those and_rely on them_heavily._Otherwise they view your application as a
crapshoot (why would they want to take on_a_student they're_not_sure_will
succeed?)

2\. grades, programming abilities, and_other things are all secondary._If they
pass_the bar, that's good, but they're not going_to_get you in.

My_advice: get a programming job working in a research_lab, then apply to
places the people_you're working with_have_worked_with before. Look at_MSR
(Microsoft lABS), Intel Research, and Google._Otherwise go to a startup.

------
timf
" _does_the length of time I wait to_apply matter?_ "

If you are doing_things that are not academia_oriented, the_longer you do
those things, the_less chance you_will have_at acceptance.

" _I'm_obviously going to continue the work_that I enjoy_doing._ "

Careful, academia may not be_right_for you :-)

"__Publications,_open_source contributions,_industry experience?_ "

Publications_will_by far_trump_anything else for most departments. And_letters
of_recommendation (preferably from people the department has_heard of...).

" _Should I_take_the time to find_a research based position at_a company like
IBM or HP?_ "

This_is probably_the only_thing that would realistically help you. You would
need to stay at_one place long enough to contribute_directly to refereed
papers, this_will really_help_your application. There_are_a lot_of research
positions at places that are not_big companies,_too, and those tend to submit
more_papers. Often they are_looking_for staff programmers and you can_"get in
on" some papers over time_as you work hard and_make_good_observations etc. Or
you could be_the assistant who is writing the_performance harness, etc.

The_hard part would be getting in the_door_probably, in my experience anything
CS related_will_usually accept CS graduate students into_internships_etc._but
finding a full time job_there with a BS and no_previous CS research experience
will be tougher.

\---

Academic departments typically only_care that you_can code well enough to_pass
their_classes._You need to be able to