Thoughts on grad school? (CS PhD)
lbrandy: Just FYI, I have an MS in EE and I work at a pattern-rec startup. So, no PhD not really required to get a job in that field. That being said, having a PhD helps alot if you want to take on the 'scientist' role right off the bat (for example, my job duties have included things like optimizing the algorithm both computationally and algorithmically).Your stats look fine for applying to CS PhD. Top 5 is probably a long shot (but it always is). But, they love math backgrounds. The only problem is no publications. Top tier CS schools virtually require a strong research background.1. It's probably going to hurt more than help, to be honest. Even though EE and CS and the like -do- have industrial applications, the people who are reading your application chose to stay in academia. That means they don't necessarily look kindly on people diminishing that. My suggestion say "financial obligations" and leave it at that. The key is to seem really really really really excited about CS and that's why you are applying.2. This is a serious longshot.3. AI research groups will care alot more about your research than the school. And yes, top tier schools will tend to have smarter people and therefore better co-founders. Any "decent" school though will have plenty of smart people.4. The money is there at any CS school so you'll more then likely go to school for free and work on funded research projects. The career possibilities are as good as they get with any PhD.