This is true at all the top CS programs as well. They look at: 1. Past research (including published papers) 2. Recommendation letters GRE scores are a pre-fi

This is true at all the top CS programs as well. They look at: 1. Past research (including published papers) 2. Recommendation letters GRE scores are a pre-filter (not set too high, I think, and certainly the CS subject GRE is ignored, even when it is required), grades matter only slightly, and the admission essays are basically a chance to disqualify yourself by saying something stupid.