How to Get Teaching Assistantships?

You guys will be wondering if there is rocket science behind getting Financial Aid ( Teaching assistantships) during first semester or with admission. Following are 3 priority order to get TA. If you fall into one of the category, you will get TA, if not look for different source of job/income.

Priority order in awarding teaching assistantships to incoming students

1. Priority will be given to students with excellent academic credentials from reputed universities, a strong publication record, high GRE scores, strong support letters, who have already earned an M.S. degree in computer science and demonstrate a genuine wish to pursue the Ph.D. degree.
2. Students with excellent academic credentials from reputed universities, high GRE  scores, strong support letters, a B.S degree in computer science and a desire to pursue either M.S. or Ph.D. degree. If a student with a B.S. degree expresses interest in the Ph.D. program, the application has to be backed up by strong research participation as an undergraduate (with publications desirable). For students from US universities, a minimum GPA of 3.4, strong GRE scores and support letters are required to be considered for a TA.
3. Students who have any CMSC or other prerequisite courses unfulfilled will  generally not be admitted with TA support, except for exceptionally qualified
   students.

Following Financial Assistance was taken from UMBC Computer Science Graduate Program Handbook. So, where do you think your profile will fit in above 3 order?

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