nokturnal

1. Writing Cornell University instead of Cornell Tech is disingenuous. 2. Limited coursework is a huge downside. Why would you even think of it as an option? 3. Courses in entrepreneurship? Nothing to do with CS. Will not help you in regards to anything CS. Go get an MBA if you want business education. 4. Ivy? An Ivy in the sense that it is RELATED to Cornell. You wouldn't just go to Harvard Extension School because it has Harvard in the name. I don't see your logic here. 5. There are programs dedicated to doing research (VIP) at Georgia Tech but who the f gives a flying f about that in industry? Are you going to become a PhD student or are you trying to further your career in software engineering? No one is going to turn their nose up at a Georgia Tech master's degree. 6. There is no major branding disadvantage. The school is well-regarded in computer science. Period. The difference between their rank is inconsequential and you're comparing Cornell (not Cornell Tech) versus Georgia Tech. 7. What are you expecting out of a master's degree that you're not getting from your undergrad degree? You think people are going to hand you things because you got a master's degree at so and so university? Sorry, that only really happens straight out of undergrad. You go to graduate school to get a specialized education and then put that to use. There's zero reason it would close any doors to you if you're going down the CS route. If you work at a company that does CS research, it should get you in the door. 8. You're highly misinformed and honestly, I don't think you should go for a master's degree at either of these institutions if all you're wanting out of it is some clout. And from the sound of it basically it seems like you're going to dip out of industry and then come back, which is a terrible idea because that will legit date you in SWE. 5 years of experience I feel like should've taught you that unless you've been stuck at the same company. 9. "I'm mainly hoping to improve my skills and never be turned down for any position again based on my lack of education. " I highly doubt you've been turned down because of that. I did not get a CS degree and rose up through senior, probably a year out from architect at this point. If you try to get in anywhere worth a damn, it's not your lack of education holding you back, it's your preparation or your experience you've got (what they're looking for). Rarely have I ever been passed on for interviews. I'm about to go work at a FAANG company transitioning from a Fortune 50 company. I don't even have my master's degree complete yet. 10. There is no distinction between the online GA Tech master's program and the in-person master's program at GA Tech. It is the same level of rigor. The entry requirements are different because they are in the business of admitting those they think will succeed. It doesn't take away from the program. It's hard to get out. The only way it would detract from it is if a majority of the people graduating turned out to be crummy engineers, which isn't the case. If I were you, I'd take a lot more time before considering applying to a master's degree.