[Umich or Columbia University in Mechanical Engingeering?]

Umich may not be that cheap, its tuition is paid by semester while columbia is paid by credit. So if you take 4 courses, that is 12 credits, a semester, the tuition for each credit is actually higher in Umich than in Columbia. However, it's no doubt that the living expense in Umich is much lower.

[Operations Research? Anyone?]

I saw a lot of posts asking to compare some MS programs in top schools. I just want to give my opinions. First, let me talk about the aim of those MS programs in top schools. Every MS program enroll a lot of students every year and some could be as many as 200+. The reason is simple: they need to make money, especially when the economy is bad. I describe it as a circle. The more students they enroll, the more money they will earn, the more support can give to their PhD program, the better their research will be, the higher their ranking will be, the better reputation they will get, and the easier they can get a lot of MS students. The purpose for the MS program is also simple: preparing the MS students for the job marketing. So the MS courses are totally different with PhD courses, and are much easier. This is well known by all of top schools. So if you aim at applying to another PhD program afterward, those MS program almost can not help you at all, unless you take the PhD courses instead of MS courses, which is allowed by most of programs. However, since PhD courses are much harder, they will cost you most of time. Therefore, you may not have enough time to find a job because job hunting also requires a lot time. So if you want to apply to the PhD program afterward, my suggestion is that going to a school which has a better PhD program and taking PhD courses. Make sure they allow this first and work hard to survive. For those who want a job after getting the MS degree, it's better to ask the current or graduated students of those program directly because they have the first hand information. It's should not be too difficult since they enroll a lot of students every year. At least, congratulations to those who get admitted. Although they enroll a lot of students, they rejected even more. So be confident, be wise and good luck to you all!

It helps, thank you!

[Operations Research? Anyone?]

I recently got admission from Columbia MSOR after rejected by IEOR phD. But it seems to be 1 year program..

So I doubt that it would be appropriate course to attend to phD courses..

Does anyone know about MSOR program? NY seems to be a fascinating place and of course I know Columbia is a good school,

But tuition and expenses are too expensive!!

I asked several friends for suggestions these days.

Some says that Columbia enrolls too much MS students and the reputation of its MS program is declining.

Some says that it is an ivy, located in NYC, and generally as you said a good school.

I'm choosing between it and Umich IOE MS program. It seems both programs do not get much high comment. I'm really hesitating and confused...

[UMich vs Columbia MS IEOR]

I'm trying to make a choice between the two programs. And I've got following facts:

1. Columbia is really strong at and mostly concentrated on finance related areas, while UMich is more comprehensive and ranks 2nd in IEOR fields.

2. Columbia's program is more costly than that of Umich (13,000$ more according to the estimation of their official site), and the length of the program is shorter than Umich -- two semesters, that is about 9 months, right? Umich does not specify the length of the program, but it seems it might last 1 year.

3. There will be surely more opportunities in New York city.

4. I've heard that both the two program admitted many students each year, I think it suggests that the quality of the two programs will not be quite good?

I'm not strongly inclined to finance related areas, and based on current economic situation, it seems that I should consider apply for PhD after getting a MS degree.

So according to the facts, which program might be better for me?

Hope to get some advice. Thanks!

[Operations Research? Anyone?]

I've got admitted to MS program of IOE at UMich, and MS program of IEOR at Columbia.

Now I wondered which would be better for me. It seems that Columbia is very good at finance related fields, it is in NY City, while the program lasts only 2 semesters and the tuition and living expense are really costly.

On the other hand UMich has comprehensive research areas in IE, tuition is comparably low, and the program might last longer?

Also, right now I'm not sure whether I will go for a phd degree.

So any suggestions for me?

Thanks!