Finally, I Started My MSc

After missing the application deadline more than once, I finally made it into the MSc in Computer Science program at the University of Colombo School of Computing. The road there involved a surprisingly tough entrance test, a postponed interview, and a last-minute dress code decision. Here's how it all went, in case it helps someone going through the same process.

Missing the Deadline (Twice)

A few months ago, I applied for the MSc in Computer Science program at the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC). I was supposed to apply the previous year, but I missed the application deadline and didn't bother checking again, assuming they only open applications once a year. Turns out I was wrong. They called for applications in a few more rounds after that, and I missed those too. This time, I made sure to apply early.

The GCCT Entrance Test

After submitting my application, I was called in for the GCCT, an IQ and aptitude-style entrance test. I registered, paid the 5,500 LKR fee, and sat the exam a few weeks later.

It was significantly harder than I expected. There were many questions I had no knowledge of, and plenty of others where I simply couldn't recall the answer. I walked out of that exam hall knowing I hadn't done well. I'm fairly sure I wasn't alone in that feeling either. At least half the students sitting around me seemed to share the same expression on their way out.

As soon as I got on the bus home, I started typing out every question as I could remember from the exam into a notes app, thinking I'd need to prepare more thoroughly for a second attempt. If anyone is interested in those notes, please DM me and I will share them."

Getting In Anyway

Two or three weeks later, the selected candidates list was announced, and I was surprised to find my name on it. It seemed like a large number of applicants had passed, and the cutoff score appeared to be quite low. Then again, it's a paid program, and more students means more revenue, so perhaps that's just how it works. That's just my guess though.

The Interview

After being shortlisted, I was called in for an interview, originally scheduled for November 30th. However, Cyclone Ditwah hit around that time and the interview got postponed all the way to January.

Around the same time, I found out that one of my closest friends from school had also applied, for the Business Analytics program at UCSC. His interview was scheduled two weeks before mine, and we had both agreed to go with smart casual attire. He went first and quickly messaged me afterwards: most of the other candidates had shown up in formal dress 😅. I adjusted accordingly and wore formal clothing to mine.

Before the interview, they verified the hard copies of all the documents submitted during the application. The interview itself was brief and felt more like a formality than an actual evaluation. It covered the basics: my undergraduate degree, my work experience, and what I had been working on lately. The whole thing was done in about five to ten minutes.

The Result

A week or two later, the final list of selected candidates was published, and I had made it through. Shortly after, I received an email invitation to the Inauguration Ceremony.

And that's how I got into the UCSC MSc program. Hope this helps someone going through the same process in the future.