Application Tips for MSAI Prospective Students

Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) program is centered on human-computer interactions (HCI). Students are taught to create intelligent systems rooted in HCI, to look beyond the computer screen to see what problems need solving and determine how AI can be used to create a sophisticated solution.  

To get a better understanding of how applicants might fit into the program, the MSAI admissions team puts extra attention on specific elements of the application. Technical expertise is certainly required, but the admissions team wants to understand the person behind the application. To help applicants with this process, the team compiled a list of five ways they can stand out in their application.

 

Tell us your story

We want to know why you love artificial intelligence and machine learning. Which problems have you thought about solving? What got you to the point of wanting to pursue a career in AI? Your answers tell us a lot about who you are, what you value, and potentially what type of student you would be in MSAI.

Don't tell us that you want to be in the program because AI is cool or because you love robots. That's great, but that's not what we look for in a strong applicant. We want applicants who have a drive to use AI to propel the world forward. Build a strong case why you want to be a part of MSAI and how it will help you achieve your goals.

Your story should also highlight your work experience. It's excellent if an applicant has five or more years of relevant training when they apply to MSAI. You should not worry about applying if you have less time in an applicable field, but in that case, be sure to demonstrate how your other skills or interests relate and are transferable to the MSAI experience.   

Don't shy away from your academic credentials

Computer science or computer engineering degrees are highly desired in our applicants, but they are not required. In talking about your academic background, tell us what your GPA was as an undergraduate and explain which classes you took. We want to see how you performed in any math or quantitative courses. If you had a poor performance in one of these classes, or your GPA was not as high as you'd like, consider adding an addendum to your personal statement that explains the discrepancy. MSAI is a rigorous program where you will be using Python skills from day one. We're not teaching Python here, so we want to make sure you'll be able to thrive in an aggressive computational environment.  

Think about your recommendations

The decision of who to select for your recommendations should not be taken lightly. Make sure you ask recommenders who can specifically reference pertinent competencies, aptitudes, and experiences and how they can help you excel in MSAI. Your recommenders should know your work in a technical setting and be able to support your suitability for the program.  

Provide a code example

This is technically an optional step in the application process, but we highly recommend it. Whether you already have a GitHub profile or not, what we're looking for here is evidence of self-directed work in computer science. You can provide Javascript examples, but Python is what's emphasized in MSAI. If you don't have an example yet or don't have Python knowledge, start to learn or put something together now because this is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. If you do have an example that you can't share because of proprietary reasons, go ahead and contact us and we can talk through the situation. 

Don't over-inflate your abilities

Part of the application asks you what level of a computer scientist you are. Be honest in your answer and don't say you're an expert when you're really a beginner. We have tenured professors of computer science who are practitioners and educators reviewing your application, and they will be able to understand your level based on the sophistication of the code you submit. We'd much rather see someone who is at an intermediate level with their coding skills say so as opposed to trying to impress us by saying they're an expert.