UMich or UPenn

[pratik]

I have got thru MS at UMich and UPenn both Computer Science without aid. Which one should I choose. My interests are AI and Robotics

[angusBF]

Hey,

So it sounds like you are planning on going even though you have no aid at either university. In that case, I would say it's a no brainer. UPenn is an excellent university. It is highly ranked in Computer Science and has researchers who collaborate on robotics/AI projects with MIT. I know that for a fact because I worked at MIT as an intern. If robotics is what you want to work on, then check out the following people at UPenn. They are the ones that collaborate with MIT on several large robotics projects: Mark Yim, Vijay Kumar, and Dan Lee.

Hope this helps in your decision.

[explorer-c]

I have got thru MS at UMich and UPenn both Computer Science without aid. Which one should I choose. My interests are AI and Robotics

The two are perfectly comparable with UMich probably slightly better for CS. Since you're only going for masters, I'd say choose more based on the location.

[angusBF]

Hmm, sorry about that. I don't know how, but I read that and thought Michigan State and not UMich. My bad. Yeah, they are quite comparable in CS. I agree with explorer-c here. Location is a good criterion, but I would still personally go with UPenn I think. I haven't heard of too many robotics/AI from UMich (from collaborators, papers, etc.). But yes, since you are doing only a MS, research may not be such a big factor for you.

[MrRoboto]

Hmm, sorry about that. I don't know how, but I read that and thought Michigan State and not UMich. My bad. Yeah, they are quite comparable in CS. I agree with explorer-c here. Location is a good criterion, but I would still personally go with UPenn I think. I haven't heard of too many robotics/AI from UMich (from collaborators, papers, etc.). But yes, since you are doing only a MS, research may not be such a big factor for you.

Actually, UMich has a particularly strong robotics/AI faculty. Ben Kuipers, John Laird, Edwin Olson, and Satinder Singh all do excellent AI research at Michigan (just to name a few). I had PhD offers from both Penn and UMich (also doing AI/robotics), and I strongly favored UMich. Just my $.02.

Good luck - either way you can't go wrong!

[nh88]

If you are considering a PhD in the future, research opportunities matter. In this scenario, you would want to improve your portfolio of research experience. Look into the specifics of how you might get these opportunities at both schools. It might turn out that one is more accessible for a Master's student in this regard than the other. All things being equal (or even maybe not completely equal), you might want to consider the relative cost of living. Since you are going in unfunded, this might be a consideration. I am assuming living at UPenn would be more costly than living in Ann Arbor.

Also look into what the school's have to say about the availability of TA positions. While not offered immediately, it may be possible for you to pick up a TA position after a semester of good performance. Obviously, this would make the finances somewhat easier.

In my own case (unfunded Master's in EE at Stanford), I considered these same issues and decided on Stanford once I was convinced that I would be getting my money's worth from the program.

[pratik]

@everyone thank you for replying.

Though I have applied for MS I am more interested in research. I did not apply for Phd since my credentials were not strong enough and I am not hundred percent sure now but job is not my prime concern.

Could you people suggest me which one to choose if it has to be based only on research work and active projects. I am not worried much about a job.

[pratik]

@nh88

Thanks for the detailed reply. Actually if I have made up my mind to spend the money how do I decide where are better research opportunities.