awestover89

I received acceptance letters from both DePaul and IIT in Chicago for a Master of Science in Computer Science. Now I am trying to decide between the two. Both are well-reputed in Chicago, IIT is ranked 110 in the nation while DePaul is unranked. I'm leaning towards DePaul, but I can't really articulate any reason why. Does anybody have any insight or opinions on choosing between these two schools?

UofC and Northwestern are too expensive, just about double DePaul/IIT and more than double JHU (UofC is almost triple the cost of JHU). I looked into Colorado State, but their MCS program didn't seem to have a large number of classes to choose from 17 classes available online, and you have to choose 9 of them to graduate, with additional restrictions based on course level. UIUC is too selective, I'm not going to kid myself, they recommend an undergrad GPA of 3.5 as a cutoff, and 3.7 for a strong chance of admission and I definitely did not have that. I had some motivation/procrastination problems in my undergrad, and that's the primary reason I wanted to wait a few years before going back for my Masters. That is a bit concerning of DePaul, but at the same time I would expect some recap/basic information during the first week of a class. If the entire quarter was rehashed info I would be very concerned, but if it is just 1 week of rehashing and then the rest of the quarter is more advanced, that would be acceptable. I have my BS in Computer Science, so I definitely want to be learning something new.

Wow, I thought I was getting an early start but I guess I really didn't. Applying Fall 2014 for Master of Science in Computer Science Undergrad: Graduated May 2011 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Double Major in Creative Writing Minor in Mathematics Cumulative GPA: 3.176 Junior/Senior GPA: 3.31 Valparaiso University Related Experience: 3 years full time work as an application developer. 3 years part time work as a Teaching Aide in the undergrad CS department 2 years part time work as an application developer for the University 1 semester as an Adjunct Professor for a local community college Professional Development: GraphConnect 2013 Attendee Dale Carnegie Course: Effective Communications & Human Relations/Skills For Success GRE: Taking this Saturday 160V/157Q on my first attempt at the practice test, no prep, for whatever that's worth School's Applying To: Illinois Institute of Technology DePaul University Maybe: Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals Still researching schools, but those three stood out the most so far.

I am looking to go back to school for my Masters in Computer Science and am trying to narrow down which schools I should apply to. Right now there are three that have caught my attention: 1) DePaul University 2) Illinois Institute of Technology 3) Johns Hopkins University - Engineering for Professionals My main concerns are that the school offers a large breadth of CS courses, and I'd prefer having the option to complete either a Master's Thesis. DePaul and IIT both have an extremely large number of courses available, and both have thesis, project, and exam options. I live in Chicago-land, so I can attend either of these schools in person. Johns Hopkins has a bit more national prestige, but mostly for the medical program, and I would have to attend online. I do not get tuition reimbursement, so my maximum I want to pay is around $40K for the entire program. IIT and DePaul are both around $40K, JHU is around $33K. I also did not have the best undergrad GPA (3.2 overall at a small, private University) but I have been in the workforce full time for 3 years, and am taking the GRE even though it's optional to spruce up how I look. Still, I want to be realistic and not spend time and money applying to schools that I know I can't afford or have slim to no chance of being admitted. Does anybody have any experience between my three main choices? Are there other schools I should be looking into? I really want to avoid schools that have a set program with almost no concentration/elective courses. I've seen a couple schools where the Master's program is 10 specific classes with no choice what to take.