Brown Vs. Vtech MS Computer Science

[SheldonCooper]

Hi all,

I've got admit from Vtech and Brown for MS in Computer Science, fall '11, specialization--operating systems/computer architecture.

I'm on the verge of finalizing the college. It would be great help you guys throw some light in this regard,

- Does "Ivy League" tag makes remarkable difference if I chose PhD as my next step after MS?

- Does "Ivy League" tag of Brown counts lot in career fair?

- Reputation wise, Brown stands at 20th rank and Vtech stands at 30th around. But, worrying factor is--assistantship at Vtech will waive the tuition fee. On the other hand, in Brown, it is not the case. In essence, $65K is the total expenditure for two years

at Brown(tution fee alone is $40K). On the other hand, Vtech where tuition fee is $40K, but, assistantship could change the equation. Is Brown worth of $65K?

On the technical side, I'm contacting professors in both college to make final call.

Many thanks,

Sheldon

[newms]

Congrats on your admits! To answer your questions:

1) I don't think the fact that you'd have a MS from an Ivy League school would make a big difference if you were for a Phd. Adcomms consider your research potential and experience the most when they consider your application, so as long as you're able to do good research at Vtech, you'd be in a good position if you wanted to apply for Phd afterwards.

2) Possibly. The brand 'Brown' might be an added boost for you if you were to try to get a job in industry.

3) I don't think it's worth taking on all of that debt at Brown. If you can do good research at Vtech and the research being done at Vtech is a good fit for your interests then that would be your better option in my opinion. By the way, have you secured an assistantship at Vtech? Or is there only the possibility of you getting one?

Good luck!

[SheldonCooper]

Thank you very much newms for your opinion!

I didn't get any assistantship at Brown--I saw several MS students were able to get assistantship, so, I'm hoping to get one.

On the other hand, Professor has sent an e-mail to me asking the possibility of joining the on-going project--there is hint of assistantship there..But, I'm interested in other on-going research at Vtech, implies, again, I'm hoping to get assistantship..

Full assistantship at Vtech would waive the entire tuition fees.

Yes, as you mentioned, I'm having a close look at research stuffs at both universities to take a final call..I was worried 'bout two factors a) Reputation of two universities Fees

Thanks,

Sheldon

Congrats on your admits! To answer your questions:

1) I don't think the fact that you'd have a MS from an Ivy League school would make a big difference if you were for a Phd. Adcomms consider your research potential and experience the most when they consider your application, so as long as you're able to do good research at Vtech, you'd be in a good position if you wanted to apply for Phd afterwards.

2) Possibly. The brand 'Brown' might be an added boost for you if you were to try to get a job in industry.

3) I don't think it's worth taking on all of that debt at Brown. If you can do good research at Vtech and the research being done at Vtech is a good fit for your interests then that would be your better option in my opinion. By the way, have you secured an assistantship at Vtech? Or is there only the possibility of you getting one?

Good luck!