MIT Aeronautics (SM) vs Cornell Computer Science (PhD)

[Tuna Toksoz]

Hi,

I am a CS major from Bogazici University, Turkey. I have 3 admissions two of which are Cornell and MIT.

I have worked in the lab of my potential advisor at MIT for about 2 months. The lab is Controls lab, but also there are many who work on autonomous systems. I can say that I really enjoyed what I did there and what others have been doing.

However, I have concerns about being at a disadvantage due to my major in undergraduate, and also some concerns about potential research topics.

At Cornell, I have plenty of options related directly to CS. From database to algorithms, distributed systems, even autonomous systems. I will have chance to see other fields while studying there. Moreover, it is definitely a good school, and I don't really care much about its location etc.

At MIT, I will be working on a hot topic, autonomous systems, and I think i love the topic and can contribute to the literature about it. However, i also have a fear of not having an aero background. I checked the requirements of qualification for Phd, and it was mostly in conjunction with CS curriculum (probability, dynamic programming, software engineering etc). I usually like the diversity in research fields at Cornell, but also loved my work at MIT.

I am very very undecided at the moment.

I would really like to hear your suggestions and thoughts.

Thank you.

[Manson]

Firstly, Is this some way to insult the average Junta? Its Mid-April Already and I've gone insane waiting! Grrrr......

Now about your dilemma, Go for autonomous systems at MIT. That's the thing you love and feel you can contribute to.

[fuzzylogician]

I assume MIT was aware of your background when they accepted you -- that means that they believe you can manage the workload. It can be harder for people who come with less background, but if you work hard you should be able to catch up to the more experienced students. You might want to ask about the departmental culture; in my (MIT) department we make efforts to help those who have less background in a specific area, so people who struggle still end up doing very well in all their classes. It'd be much harder to get by without any support from colleagues and professors. But generally, I'd say you should go where your interests take you.

[Tuna Toksoz]

I assume MIT was aware of your background when they accepted you -- that means that they believe you can manage the workload. It can be harder for people who come with less background, but if you work hard you should be able to catch up to the more experienced students. You might want to ask about the departmental culture; in my (MIT) department we make efforts to help those who have less background in a specific area, so people who struggle still end up doing very well in all their classes. It'd be much harder to get by without any support from colleagues and professors. But generally, I'd say you should go where your interests take you.

Thank you. After talking to a graduate mechanical engineering student, I decided to go MIT.

Here is what he basically said, I hope it will be useful for somebody.

1. About 1/3 of Aero/Astro people working in Controls/Optimization/Software are from EE/CS background.

2. MIT doesn't have any fixed curriculum. As long as your advisor approves, you are free to take whatever you want from any department.

3. It is almost always possible to change group. It is even easier for a masters student.

4. It is possible, even encouraged to have minor (we don't have such thing in Turkey)

[Tuna Toksoz]

Firstly, Is this some way to insult the average Junta? Its Mid-April Already and I've gone insane waiting! Grrrr......

Now about your dilemma, Go for autonomous systems at MIT. That's the thing you love and feel you can contribute to.

I believe, I am lucky sometimes. I have applied _many_ schools, and got a fraction.

I hope you a good luck.

[Manson]

Hope you make the right decision.

Its always easier with lesser choices.