GaTech vs. CMU (ECE)

[takshak]

I have admission offers from GaTech ECE and CMU ECE. Which is better?

[DJLamar]

I'm not in ECE so I don't know how to say anything about the academics (I get the impression that EE is one of Georgia Tech's very top programs and that it probably rivals or beats out CMU's EE program, but that's just an impression). However I am a Georgia Tech undergrad right now and I visited CMU this semester, and I can tell you that Atlanta is, hands down, a cooler city than Pittsburgh (much bigger too, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's twice the size of Pittsburgh five years from now). It's also much warmer here (considering you're from India I'm sure this is a plus ) and the cost of living is not much different. The only downsides Atlanta has are a poorer public transit system than Pittsburgh (but hey, at least we actually have subways!), higher crime (mostly restricted to certain areas of the city anyway), and fewer museums.

I might be biased towards Atlanta though since I'm from an hour away from it

[BKMD]

In general I think CMU is not so well known for EE as it is CS. On the other hand, if you're interested specifically in robotics or human-computer interaction, it has excellent programs. I can't compare to GaTech but CMU also has really awesome facilities.

[origin415]

Look at what the departments are doing, which department has research and such that interests you more? They are ranked close enough that looking at their ranking isn't going to help you decide (from US News, in EE, GaTech is 6, CMU is 7, in CE, CMU is 4 GaTech is 7), so use stuff like research and location instead.

Edited March 24, 2010 by origin415

[takshak]

Thank you!

I'm looking at Masters in Signal Processing and Communcations.

I've been going through their websites and looking at their work. Both have something that the other lacks. So, it could very well boil down to the city, funding prospects and placements. Any information regarding these is welcome!

Oh, and I've been to Pittsburgh. Sans the cold, it's a great place.