So I got into Cornell Systems Engineering with Software Track (M.Eng for Software Systems Engineering), and UPenn Systems Engineering (Master of Science in Engineering). Which one is better? I came up with the following pros and cons table
but still can't make up my mind... I also got into USC MS Computer Science, but I think it's less selective and less prestigious than the two Ivies.
Cornell
Pros:
-Great engineering school
-Interdisciplinary approach on systems engineering, electives from CS, EE,
ME, AE and IEOR. For me I'll probably choose the CS track.
-Ithaca campus is beautiful
-Plenty of recruitment opportunities from large engineering firms
-Graduation projects
Cons:
-Bad location, middle of nowhere in upstate NY
-I hate cold...
-known as "Ivy doorstep"
-M.Eng is different from M.S, probably less favorable if I apply for phD
-Difficulty in switching major: unknown
UPenn
Pros:
-Could take any classes from UPenn B-School, up to 12 units, to satisfy my
graduation requirement.
-Great for potential career change to finance sector, close to 40% of SEAS
graduate students ended up in Finance and Consulting
-Easy Major switch in SEAS (thinking about switching to CS)
-Great overall school name (better than Cornell perhaps?)
Cons:
-Almost unheard of in engineering (except CS, ENIAC was built in UPenn)
-Unsafe location
-MSE (Master of Science in Engineering) isn't any better than Cornell's M.
Eng
-Not too many engineering recruiters
-Isn't any warmer than Ithaca...
I really don't plan to get a phD so M.Eng and M.S.E degree doesn't concern
me that much. But I DO plan to get an MBA from a top school several years down the road, what is the best school for MBA Admission Office? And what is a better school for job hunting?