Getting accepted into a top level CS program.
jayp: To be frank about it: with a 5+ year break and coming from a "lowly" state university, it is going to be tough to get into the type of CS PhD programs you have listed.Most schools do run a low pass filter on your GRE scores (if required) and GPA. The GPA is weighted according the repuation of your school. However, once you get beyond the filtering, these things don't matter.The most important thing at a top PhD school is letters of recommendations from faculty, with the greatest weight given to letters from a professor they might know. ("They" being any of the members of the admissions committee who happen to read your file, or are present during the discussion. There is a fair amount of luck involved). This maybe hard for you to get if the professors at your current university do not publish (i.e., attend conferences, etc.). However, no matter what, do keep in touch with them. You'll need at least 2-3 letters from them. Letters from work will be fine, but do not carry heavy weight -- especially beyond one letter.The other relevant things include: the school you attended, research experience (publications are your greatest asset), and lastly, your statement of purpose. I don't think anything else really matters too much -- at least to a top CS program.But if you really want to go to grad school, there is always a way. Some tips:(1) Apply to a lot of schools, as the admissions process can be fairly random. However, do not apply to safe schools for the sake of applying.(2) Also, an alternative is to apply for a Masters program. Get in. Impress a professor or two. Upgrade to PhD program. Obviously, it is hard to find financial support for Masters student at some schools. If you are local to a great university, you can also take graduate courses a non-degree student (very easy to get in, as schools love money), impress one or two professors, and apply.PS: I served as a student representative on an admissions committee at UIUC in the past. I also came from a "lowly" state university. However, I jumped to PhD program directly after my BS.