UC Irvine v/s NCSU v/s IITs - MS in CS

[Pratik Patel]

I completed my Bachelor's in Computer Engineering last year and took GATE and applied to US univs for MS while working at IIT Bombay as a Research Engineer.

I got 237th rank in GATE and admits from University of California Irvine and North Carolina State University (NCSU). I am yet to hear from Ann Arbor, UPenn and Indiana University Bloomington.

I don't have any financial constraints, am not sure whether I should be working in US or in India and have a US green card.

I have no plans of doing PhD as of now, would like to take up a job after graduation.

I have applied for specialization in AI to all the universities, however, I don't mind specializing in any of the fields (except Embedded as I'm a bit scared of hardware).

I am now confused whether I should go ahead with M Tech in one of the IITs or go to UC Irvine/NCSU for MS.

How are UC Irvine and NCSU as universities in comparison to the IITs and what kind of standing do they have in the US?

What factors shall I consider for making this crucial decision?

I guess the choice would be very easy if I get an admit from Ann Arbor or UPenn, I would most probably prefer any of these universities over any of the IITs. What say?

[frenzydude]

I completed my Bachelor's in Computer Engineering last year and took GATE and applied to US univs for MS while working at IIT Bombay as a Research Engineer.

I got 237th rank in GATE and admits from University of California Irvine and North Carolina State University (NCSU). I am yet to hear from Ann Arbor, UPenn and Indiana University Bloomington.

I don't have any financial constraints, am not sure whether I should be working in US or in India and have a US green card.

I have no plans of doing PhD as of now, would like to take up a job after graduation.

I have applied for specialization in AI to all the universities, however, I don't mind specializing in any of the fields (except Embedded as I'm a bit scared of hardware).

I am now confused whether I should go ahead with M Tech in one of the IITs or go to UC Irvine/NCSU for MS.

How are UC Irvine and NCSU as universities in comparison to the IITs and what kind of standing do they have in the US?

What factors shall I consider for making this crucial decision?

I guess the choice would be very easy if I get an admit from Ann Arbor or UPenn, I would most probably prefer any of these universities over any of the IITs. What say?

My 2 cents being from IIT. You have no plans of doing PhD. So I think going abroad would be better for getting a higher paid job and better career options. The placement scenario at IITs for MTechs is good, but not as good as the BTechs, and there are differences depending on which IIT you go to. That being said, i havent heard of NCSU. UCI should be a decent choice, given its location in California and its top-30 ranking. UPenn is probably the best choice if you can manage the funds, followed by UMich (good chance of getting funding here). Wait for these two results.

[Pratik Patel]

My 2 cents being from IIT. You have no plans of doing PhD. So I think going abroad would be better for getting a higher paid job and better career options. The placement scenario at IITs for MTechs is good, but not as good as the BTechs, and there are differences depending on which IIT you go to. That being said, i havent heard of NCSU. UCI should be a decent choice, given its location in California and its top-30 ranking. UPenn is probably the best choice if you can manage the funds, followed by UMich (good chance of getting funding here). Wait for these two results.

Thanks for the reply frenzydude

I couldn't get the meaning of "My 2 cents being from IIT"

[frenzydude]

Thanks for the reply frenzydude

I couldn't get the meaning of "My 2 cents being from IIT"

http://en.wikipedia....nts_%28idiom%29

I am guessing you didnt do too well in your GRE AWA ?

Edited April 9, 2011 by frenzydude

[csKid]

He did BTech from IIT.

Answering your question.

NCSU is good in Networks, AI. Raliegh is a good place to live. UC schools are good for getting a high paying job(in INR). Your other choices, UMich , UPenn are just as good.

Thanks for the reply frenzydude

I couldn't get the meaning of "My 2 cents being from IIT"

[adelashk]

Pratik,

It all boils down to whether you want to do research/PhD in the future/want an education experience in the U.S. or just a master's. If you are going for research/PhD definitely go for the U.S., while IIT is known for its competitiveness it is not as revered for its research. If you get into UMich or UPenn I would highly recommend going for it. UC Irvine is worth it if you care about the location/job prospects (although prospects are just as good or even better at UMich).

Sometimes diversifying your profile gives you a better perspective of how things work.

[Pratik Patel]

Pratik,

It all boils down to whether you want to do research/PhD in the future/want an education experience in the U.S. or just a master's. If you are going for research/PhD definitely go for the U.S., while IIT is known for its competitiveness it is not as revered for its research. If you get into UMich or UPenn I would highly recommend going for it. UC Irvine is worth it if you care about the location/job prospects (although prospects are just as good or even better at UMich).

Sometimes diversifying your profile gives you a better perspective of how things work.

Thanks adelashk

I want a Master's degree so that I get good education, a brand name and eventually a good job. I am not too keen on doing research later.

Given the fact that I have spent about an year working at IIT Bombay, does it make sense that I should move to US so that I can experience the system over there?

[adelashk]

Thanks adelashk

I want a Master's degree so that I get good education, a brand name and eventually a good job. I am not too keen on doing research later.

Given the fact that I have spent about an year working at IIT Bombay, does it make sense that I should move to US so that I can experience the system over there?

If you are already ahead of the curve (given you graduated from IIT and already have research experience) then why do a master's? India has a lot of R&D offices and I am pretty sure with your profile you can easily find a good job at any company. Some argue that industry experience is more valuable (in terms of knowledge gained) than getting a master's degree if a PhD is not the aim. You need to evaluate your priorities, goals, and what you really want to do in the future.

Edited April 12, 2011 by adelashk

[Pratik Patel]

If you are already ahead of the curve (given you graduated from IIT and already have research experience) then why do a master's? India has a lot of R&D offices and I am pretty sure with your profile you can easily find a good job at any company. Some argue that industry experience is more valuable (in terms of knowledge gained) than getting a master's degree if a PhD is not the aim. You need to evaluate your priorities, goals, and what you really want to do in the future.

I am sorry if my post conveyed that I did my Bachelor's from IIT.

I did my Bachelor's from a not so very well known college. I did my final semester project from IIT Bombay and then started working here as a Research Engineer after completing my Bachelor's.

I need the tag of a good institute if I wish to get a very good job, thus wanna go for further studies.

I also feel that there are a lot of things which I should be knowing before I can work in a good company. Thus my next degree from a better institute would not only boost my job prospects, but help me learn these important things.

[adelashk]

I am sorry if my post conveyed that I did my Bachelor's from IIT.

I did my Bachelor's from a not so very well known college. I did my final semester project from IIT Bombay and then started working here as a Research Engineer after completing my Bachelor's.

I need the tag of a good institute if I wish to get a very good job, thus wanna go for further studies.

I also feel that there are a lot of things which I should be knowing before I can work in a good company. Thus my next degree from a better institute would not only boost my job prospects, but help me learn these important things.

Ah! Gotcha. In that case, if you get into UMich or UPenn DEFINITELY go for it. These are not only U.S. known but world renowned institutions. UC Irvine is well regarded too. I would disregard Bloomington and NCSU (given that funding is not a factor for you). So to recap, UMich > UPenn > UC Irvine > IIT > Bloomington/NCSU. IIT is an amazing extremely competitive school but you already did research there and diversifying your profile will work better for you (this is very true for internationals). UMich/UPenn/UCI will certainly give you an edge when going back to India and will also open the door for a career in the U.S.' high tech industry if you decide to explore so. Congrats on UCI and IIT.

Edited April 12, 2011 by adelashk

[Pratik Patel]

Ah! Gotcha. In that case, if you get into UMich or UPenn DEFINITELY go for it. These are not only U.S. known but world renowned institutions. UC Irvine is well regarded too. I would disregard Bloomington and NCSU (given that funding is not a factor for you). So to recap, UMich > UPenn > UC Irvine > IIT > Bloomington/NCSU. IIT is an amazing extremely competitive school but you already did research there and diversifying your profile will work better for you (this is very true for internationals). UMich/UPenn/UCI will certainly give you an edge when going back to India and will also open the door for a career in the U.S.' high tech industry if you decide to explore so. Congrats on UCI and IIT.

Thanks a lot for your valuable advice adelashk!

[Pratik Patel]

An update: reject from UMich Ann Arbor

[adelashk]

An update: reject from UMich Ann Arbor

Sorry to hear that Pratik. You still have an admit from UCI and waiting on UPenn so you are in a good position right now.

[Pratik Patel]

Sorry to hear that Pratik. You still have an admit from UCI and waiting on UPenn so you are in a good position right now.

Got an admit from UPenn!

[adelashk]

Got an admit from UPenn!

Congrats!!!!! That's great!

[Pratik Patel]

Congrats!!!!! That's great!

Thanks adelashk!

[optimistdk]

Congrats, but i think uci cs is way better than Upenn ... no ??

[Pratik Patel]

Congrats, but i think uci cs is way better than Upenn ... no ??

I felt that UPenn is better than UCI on the basis of rankings and hearsay...

Can u please elaborate on why u think UCI CS is better than that at UPenn

[frenzydude]

I felt that UPenn is better than UCI on the basis of rankings and hearsay...

Can u please elaborate on why u think UCI CS is better than that at UPenn

He/she might have thought so because UCI is probably a 2 year MS in CS program which is more rigorous than the 1 year M.Engg. in CS at UPenn which is easier to get into but expensive (recheck if it is M.Engg.). If it is so, then the program at UCI will have a thesis option which is better if you want to do PhD later. But for job prospects, UPenn is still your best choice being an Ivy.

Edited April 16, 2011 by frenzydude

[Pratik Patel]

He/she might have thought so because UCI is probably a 2 year MS in CS program which is more rigorous than the 1 year M.Engg. in CS at UPenn which is easier to get into but expensive (recheck if it is M.Engg.). If it is so, then the program at UCI will have a thesis option which is better if you want to do PhD later. But for job prospects, UPenn is still your best choice being an Ivy.

I got into the MSE program which is 1.5-2 year program.