FYI, here are my thoughts on the programs:
Northwestern:
- The curriculum looks very solid (I expect to learn a lot of practical data skills useful for data science projects), and career placement is impressive.
- The program duration is 15 months, and the program is industry oriented, so I am not sure if it would be fine to choose the program if I am also considering applying to PhD. Also, I've seen only a few students participating in research projects or independent research. However, the industry and capstone projects look amazing.
Vanderbilt:
- The curriculum does not seem to be much technical and some courses cover the materials that I am already familiar with, but I was told that they still offer courses in AI, NLP, Cloud Computing, and transformer model, which I want to learn.
- The program offers numerous research opportunities. I've seen many students participating in AI and NLP related research projects. I was told that about 1-2 students enter PhD program.
- The program duration is 2 years, which I like.
- Vanderbilt is not well known for data science, and I am also concerned about its international recognition.
Georgetown:
- The curriculum looks solid, and it offers an elective course that prepares students for PhD. Also, the career placement looks great.
- I am not sure if there are a lot of research opportunities available for students, but I was told that 5-10% of the class enter PhD every year (The cohort size is 120)
- Great location.
- The program duration is 16 months, but students are allowed to do extra semesters (so maximum program duration could be 3 years)
- However, it seems many classes are taught by adjunct professors.
Thanks for your help!