ivandjaw

what do you mean by subtle difference in experience / funding? Which one is generally better? I'm not planning for PhD (at least for the moment, but most probably I won't go for PhD). Thanks a lot for your advice, I'll try to look through their website and look for their class size.

what do you mean by "private school and to some people that matters"? Do you mean that private school will have an edge compared to public school? I see, according to US News ranking, UIUC will be the best among those 3 for graduate school in environmental engineering. However after I have some discussion with my US friends, they suggest me to go to either UMich or CMU. The reason is because UIUC is easier to be admitted compared to UMich and CMU and also in general private universities in USA are more respected than public (they mentioned that top universities are mostly private: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, UPenn, UChicago?) whereas there are only a few of top public universities i.e: UC Berkeley, UMich, GaTech, UIUC, UWashington, UT Austin.) Regarding the status, I mean when you have a Master degree, will assistantship status give any advantages when you are applying for job? Moreover, how to check the class size? Is it possible to email the university and asking about this? Thanks again for your advice, I really appreciate that

wow! thanks a lot for your advice. will funding status matter when you are going for job? because only cmu guarantee an assistantship program while umich told me that they may give me during my enrollment later but they can't promise it. usually how big is the chance of getting an assistantship in umich? furthermore in terms of city, i heard from my friend that urbana-champaign is not as good as ann arbor or pittsburgh. what about cmu & uiuc for international reputation?

Really? But from what I heard is that among those 3, UMich & CMU is better than UIUC in terms of reputation? Actually I am offered at Imperial College of London as well, but the living cost at London is way too expensive compared to USA. I am quite confused right now..

Hi, I have been offered for admission at these universities: Carnegie Mellon Universities -- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor -- University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign for Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (coursework basis). Which one should I choose? Right now I am thinking to go to CMU because they offer me assistantship and furthermore I have discussed it with some of my professor & friends from USA. Generally their opinion is all of these universities are top tier universities, however UMich and CMU are generally more respected than UIUC. To compare UMich & CMU, both are good universities, however CMU will be better because it's private. Can any of you give any suggestion? Thank you.