anu Posted March 22, 2011 Posted March 22, 2011 Got into 2 most reputed programs for MS in CS and now I can't seem to find an answer where to go.. This is what I have uptil now on both the univs.. USC: Highly reputed, non-thesis degree, offers variety of courses to choose from, also has a dedicated research track, hub for IT companies. On the other hand very very costly not only the tuition but also the living expenses. I am not sure about the non-thesis option. I've heard that a research based degree is better than a non-thesis one. Penn State: good school but not as reputed as USC, great research work, research based degree, picks out very few MS CS applicants, so I feel great cost of living is cheaper as compared to USC. However Penn State has increased its tuition to 29700$ per year now. So that is a factor to consider amongst others. If anyone can hep please also tell me the on-campus jobs available so that I can work my way through my studies since no funding available. Recruitment scenario is also very good My research interests are database systems and mobile computing and both univs are good at it. Please help!
santhosh Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Hi anu, If you are more interested in going ahead with PhD after Masters then pick Penn state. If you are inclined towards job after Masters then head to USC , it would be gold mine for IT in LA . thats what i would do 'being honest' . Santhosh Got into 2 most reputed programs for MS in CS and now I can't seem to find an answer where to go.. This is what I have uptil now on both the univs.. USC: Highly reputed, non-thesis degree, offers variety of courses to choose from, also has a dedicated research track, hub for IT companies. On the other hand very very costly not only the tuition but also the living expenses. I am not sure about the non-thesis option. I've heard that a research based degree is better than a non-thesis one. Penn State: good school but not as reputed as USC, great research work, research based degree, picks out very few MS CS applicants, so I feel great cost of living is cheaper as compared to USC. However Penn State has increased its tuition to 29700$ per year now. So that is a factor to consider amongst others. If anyone can hep please also tell me the on-campus jobs available so that I can work my way through my studies since no funding available. Recruitment scenario is also very good My research interests are database systems and mobile computing and both univs are good at it. Please help!
valerie joan Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 (edited) Hi Anu , I do not think both these programs are as great as you think. It is quite clear since you have to justify yourself , and shout from the rooftops on how picky the admission is .. or how "reputed" the program is !! i mean common. People already know when a program is reputed !! GREAT programs are Harvard and Stanford. So your choice really is not very difficult .. choosing between two middle tier universities.. how difficult can that be !! And I am a local ,have been living here all my life .. so trust me!! You have stated that you do not even have a Financial Aid !! USA is dying in recession .. How can you waste your hard earned money when you are not sure of the outcome. If you read some news , you would know about millions of grads are depressed by their uncertain future. People are not getting jobs in America. Bottomline. How are you planning to pay 60k $ + 10 k living expenses... Do you have money yourself ? R u taking a loan ?.. You will be sinking in debt by the time you get out of college. I wish you all the best , but stop fooling yourself of your "great " options and others. Think twice .. 70k $ is a lot of money !!! Valerie Edited July 7, 2011 by valerie joan Cptgreen 1
newms Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 GREAT programs are Harvard and Stanford. So your choice really is not very difficult .. choosing between two middle tier universities.. how difficult can that be !! Harvard isn't in the same class for CS as Stanford. In fact, it's a lot closer to USC and Penn State, which are good CS programs BTW. The concern about the cost is warranted as $70K is a lot of debt to take on, and the CS job market, while better than the general job market, won't guarantee that the OP will be able to pay off the debt in the short or medium term, so that is something the OP should have thought about. I'm guessing the OP had already made his or her decision though, since the post was from March.
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