UFL vs SUNY Buffalo

[dagny851]

I got accepted to the Master of Science in computer science programme at UFL and SUNY Buffalo.

both the programmes have equally good courses. SUNY-B is more diverse in a way.

But UFL has a certain "brand" name.

i am not entirely sure about SUNY-B's reputation as an engineering school.

i've been scouring the net and i really like Buffalo... if i'm there i'll quite enjoy the two years...seems like a very artsy kind of place. Gainesville on the other hand is turning me off, with all the football madness. plus it is in the middle of nowhere! i did my undergrad in a university town, and it can get pretty boring.

i'm trying hard to take an "objective" decision here. i want to graduate with a good job, so being close to NYC,Boston, et al Buffalo seems like a smart choice.

throw some light anyone?

[origin415]

Buffalo is a 7 hour drive from NYC and Boston, I wouldn't call it in any degree close. Gainsville is closer to Miami than that, let alone every other decent sized city in Florida. The artsy area (around Elmwood on the northside of Buffalo) is a good 20 minute drive to the main campus, which is in the Buffalo suburbs, so it would be possible to live there, but I wouldn't have labeled Buffalo as "artsy" (maybe thats just because I'm not into that scene and don't know about it). Buffalo is generally sorta run down and economically depressed. I generally find theres not much for me to do around here, but perhaps thats because I live on campus, if you live in Elmwood I'm sure it'll be more exciting.

I don't know why you assumed that Buffalo doesn't go crazy about sports. While all our teams suck, Buffalonians are perhaps the most loyal sports fans ever. While it seems most have given up on the Bills, they are still diehard Sabres fans (the hockey team). Regardless of your interest, you will know all about them by the time you leave.

I don't mean to turn you away from UB, I just want to make sure you have the facts straight about Buffalo. If you have any specific questions you can ask them, I've lived here for the past 4 years for undergrad.

Edited April 14, 2010 by origin415

[dagny851]

Buffalo is a 7 hour drive from NYC and Boston, I wouldn't call it in any degree close. Gainsville is closer to Miami than that, let alone every other decent sized city in Florida. The artsy area (around Elmwood on the northside of Buffalo) is a good 20 minute drive to the main campus, which is in the Buffalo suburbs, so it would be possible to live there, but I wouldn't have labeled Buffalo as "artsy" (maybe thats just because I'm not into that scene and don't know about it). Buffalo is generally sorta run down and economically depressed. I generally find theres not much for me to do around here, but perhaps thats because I live on campus, if you live in Elmwood I'm sure it'll be more exciting.

I don't know why you assumed that Buffalo doesn't go crazy about sports. While all our teams suck, Buffalonians are perhaps the most loyal sports fans ever. While it seems most have given up on the Bills, they are still diehard Sabres fans (the hockey team). Regardless of your interest, you will know all about them by the time you leave.

I don't mean to turn you away from UB, I just want to make sure you have the facts straight about Buffalo. If you have any specific questions you can ask them, I've lived here for the past 4 years for undergrad.

ah! thanks a lot for the information. i dont really have a problem with the sports fanaticism. i guess at some point while convincing myself that i should pick UB over UFL i got sidetracked.

My main concern though is the reputation of the computer science department. I will most probably not be getting another degree after my MS in CSE, and its going to stay right on top of my resume or Linkedin profile or what have you. So i assume it is important for the place i study to be a well respected and recognised place. i am an international applicant and am not in a very good position to gauge this particular aspect. would appreciate your help in this regard!

[origin415]

Us news ranks them 39 vs 55, I don't know anything to compare reputations besides this. If its your main concern, then I would follow that.

[dagny851]

US news it is then! thank you..

[so47]

Us news ranks them 39 vs 55, I don't know anything to compare reputations besides this. If its your main concern, then I would follow that.

When it comes down to it, the difference between rank 39 and 55 isn't significant. I was told to really just worry about rankings when it's a big gap, like 10 vs. 50. Something that small means they both have good departments (plenty of depts are not even ranked), so I would just go to Buffalo if you like it better.

[dagny851]

When it comes down to it, the difference between rank 39 and 55 isn't significant. I was told to really just worry about rankings when it's a big gap, like 10 vs. 50. Something that small means they both have good departments (plenty of depts are not even ranked), so I would just go to Buffalo if you like it better.

even i've heard that about the rankings. so right now i'm scouring through the department pages, comparing the course content, talking to grad students... which i've been doing for quite sometime now much contemplation being done. both the places have a lot of students, so getting a prof's attention and getting some research work done is going to be tough. so i'll go wherever the profs show the slightest interest of working with me thanks for all the inputs you guys, really appreciate it.