MSc in Environmental Engineering - CMU vs UMich vs UIUC?

[ivandjaw]

Hi,

I have been offered for admission at these universities:

Carnegie Mellon Universities -- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor -- University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

for Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (coursework basis).

Which one should I choose? Right now I am thinking to go to CMU because they offer me assistantship and furthermore I have discussed it with some of my professor & friends from USA. Generally their opinion is all of these universities are top tier universities, however UMich and CMU are generally more respected than UIUC. To compare UMich & CMU, both are good universities, however CMU will be better because it's private.

Can any of you give any suggestion?

Thank you.

[Civil_Engineer]

It's my understanding that UIUC is the most "prestigious" of the three, but if CMU is the only one that offered you funding than there isn't really a decision to make. You should go there.

[ivandjaw]

It's my understanding that UIUC is the most "prestigious" of the three, but if CMU is the only one that offered you funding than there isn't really a decision to make. You should go there.

Really? But from what I heard is that among those 3, UMich & CMU is better than UIUC in terms of reputation?

Actually I am offered at Imperial College of London as well, but the living cost at London is way too expensive compared to USA.

I am quite confused right now..

[adelashk]

Really? But from what I heard is that among those 3, UMich & CMU is better than UIUC in terms of reputation?

Actually I am offered at Imperial College of London as well, but the living cost at London is way too expensive compared to USA.

I am quite confused right now..

CMU is more known for techie stuff than environmental (even though it ranks as top 7 or top 5).. I would focus on UIUC and umich only. UIUC is excellent in engineering. Reputation wise, especially internationally you can never go wrong with umich. Umich is top 10 in almost every science but UIUC is mostly known for their engineering department.

ICL is an awesome school but given you got into engineering behemoths in the U.S. it would make more sense to stay here. Good luck.

Edit: Just read you got some funding.. Go where the funding is. A degree from anyone of these schools (not sure about ICL) will take you anywhere in the U.S.

Edited April 8, 2011 by adelashk

[ivandjaw]

CMU is more known for techie stuff than environmental (even though it ranks as top 7 or top 5).. I would focus on UIUC and umich only. UIUC is excellent in engineering. Reputation wise, especially internationally you can never go wrong with umich. Umich is top 10 in almost every science but UIUC is mostly known for their engineering department.

ICL is an awesome school but given you got into engineering behemoths in the U.S. it would make more sense to stay here. Good luck.

Edit: Just read you got some funding.. Go where the funding is. A degree from anyone of these schools (not sure about ICL) will take you anywhere in the U.S.

wow! thanks a lot for your advice.

will funding status matter when you are going for job? because only cmu guarantee an assistantship program while umich told me that they may give me during my enrollment later but they can't promise it. usually how big is the chance of getting an assistantship in umich?

furthermore in terms of city, i heard from my friend that urbana-champaign is not as good as ann arbor or pittsburgh.

what about cmu & uiuc for international reputation?

[adelashk]

wow! thanks a lot for your advice.

will funding status matter when you are going for job? because only cmu guarantee an assistantship program while umich told me that they may give me during my enrollment later but they can't promise it. usually how big is the chance of getting an assistantship in umich?

furthermore in terms of city, i heard from my friend that urbana-champaign is not as good as ann arbor or pittsburgh.

what about cmu & uiuc for international reputation?

Regarding funding status for getting a job.. You mean a job in the industry? Not sure about the chances of assistantship. Ann Arbor is a nice college town, Pittsburgh is more of a city, I have not heard good things about urbana either. Location-wise I think Ann Arbor would be the best. One more thing to add is that CMU is a private school and to some people that matters. Also, check out the class sizes for master's in enviro. eng... Some people prefer smaller class sizes for a more intimate experience, others prefer a larger class for the abundance of many courses, competition, research opportunity, etc..

As for the international reputation, I believe UMich > UIUC > CMU. Times Higher Education UK ranked universities based PURELY on reputation: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2010-2011/reputation-rankings.html

[ivandjaw]

Regarding funding status for getting a job.. You mean a job in the industry? Not sure about the chances of assistantship. Ann Arbor is a nice college town, Pittsburgh is more of a city, I have not heard good things about urbana either. Location-wise I think Ann Arbor would be the best. One more thing to add is that CMU is a private school and to some people that matters. Also, check out the class sizes for master's in enviro. eng... Some people prefer smaller class sizes for a more intimate experience, others prefer a larger class for the abundance of many courses, competition, research opportunity, etc..

As for the international reputation, I believe UMich > UIUC > CMU. Times Higher Education UK ranked universities based PURELY on reputation: http://www.timeshigh...n-rankings.html

what do you mean by "private school and to some people that matters"? Do you mean that private school will have an edge compared to public school?

I see, according to US News ranking, UIUC will be the best among those 3 for graduate school in environmental engineering. However after I have some discussion with my US friends, they suggest me to go to either UMich or CMU. The reason is because UIUC is easier to be admitted compared to UMich and CMU and also in general private universities in USA are more respected than public (they mentioned that top universities are mostly private: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, UPenn, UChicago?) whereas there are only a few of top public universities i.e: UC Berkeley, UMich, GaTech, UIUC, UWashington, UT Austin.)

Regarding the status, I mean when you have a Master degree, will assistantship status give any advantages when you are applying for job?

Moreover, how to check the class size? Is it possible to email the university and asking about this?

Thanks again for your advice, I really appreciate that

[adelashk]

what do you mean by "private school and to some people that matters"? Do you mean that private school will have an edge compared to public school?

I see, according to US News ranking, UIUC will be the best among those 3 for graduate school in environmental engineering. However after I have some discussion with my US friends, they suggest me to go to either UMich or CMU. The reason is because UIUC is easier to be admitted compared to UMich and CMU and also in general private universities in USA are more respected than public (they mentioned that top universities are mostly private: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, UPenn, UChicago?) whereas there are only a few of top public universities i.e: UC Berkeley, UMich, GaTech, UIUC, UWashington, UT Austin.)

Regarding the status, I mean when you have a Master degree, will assistantship status give any advantages when you are applying for job?

Moreover, how to check the class size? Is it possible to email the university and asking about this?

Thanks again for your advice, I really appreciate that

There are subtle differences between private and public schools, mostly the experience/funding.. the quality of education and research should not vary much. It is true that usually private schools are ranked higher (has nothing to do with respect) due to endowment per school, student:faculty ratios, and acceptance rates which are all factors in general rankings. I suggest you do not read too much into that and focus on the program at hand, i.e. the professors, class size, etc.. As for specific program ranking of the schools (#3 vs. #6 vs. #7), they are still top 7 so don't make it your primary factor (if it was #3 vs. #20 then that's a different story). It does make sense to focus on umich and CMU due to location/reputation... Are you planning for a PhD? If so then plan ahead and ask whether umich or cmu accept their master's students for PhD. If you're main concern is the industry then you should be fine, whether you have assistantship (which looks nice on a resume) or not you will still have a glorious degree. Top companies frequently visit a limited number of universities including the three you were admitted to. Go on the website and read about their program, it should mention somewhere about the class size.

[ivandjaw]

There are subtle differences between private and public schools, mostly the experience/funding.. the quality of education and research should not vary much. It is true that usually private schools are ranked higher (has nothing to do with respect) due to endowment per school, student:faculty ratios, and acceptance rates which are all factors in general rankings. I suggest you do not read too much into that and focus on the program at hand, i.e. the professors, class size, etc.. As for specific program ranking of the schools (#3 vs. #6 vs. #7), they are still top 7 so don't make it your primary factor (if it was #3 vs. #20 then that's a different story). It does make sense to focus on umich and CMU due to location/reputation... Are you planning for a PhD? If so then plan ahead and ask whether umich or cmu accept their master's students for PhD. If you're main concern is the industry then you should be fine, whether you have assistantship (which looks nice on a resume) or not you will still have a glorious degree. Top companies frequently visit a limited number of universities including the three you were admitted to. Go on the website and read about their program, it should mention somewhere about the class size.

what do you mean by subtle difference in experience / funding? Which one is generally better?

I'm not planning for PhD (at least for the moment, but most probably I won't go for PhD). Thanks a lot for your advice, I'll try to look through their website and look for their class size.