Please help me choose - Northwestern/USC/USF

[Whimsicaldiva]

Hullo,

I've been admitted for MS in Computer Science at Northwestern and USC. And also at Rutgers, IU Bloomington and University of San Francisco.

Conventional wisdom has it that I enroll at USC or Northwestern, considering as they're both well ranked. On the flip side though, I won't be receiving any funding for the MS course and am going to have to pay full tuition.

On the contrary, were I to enroll at a reasonably well-ranked state university such as Rutgers or IU, I'd end up paying a few grand less (being an international student, I don't think I'm eligible for funding or grants), and many generally opine that state universities are equally as good as private universities, if lacking in cachet.

And then there's USF. It's unranked, and one would be forgiven for thinking that I'm taking the piss when I say that I consider USF to be a pretty good option. However, it's located in the heart of the Valley at San Francisco, and furthermore, they offer an emphasis in entrepreneurship. I'm not going to pull my punches here: one of the primary reasons why I wish to visit the US is to glean as much knowledge and experience about the entrepreneurship culture that permeates the Valley. I very much intend to work with up and coming start ups upon graduating as against working for a monolith such as Intel or Microsoft and what have you. USF also offers a Practicum option into the bargain, where I'd be able to work with a Valley company in my second year of MS if I maintain a GPA of above 3.3 and am recommended for it. Preponderantly, it's this enticing practicum option, as well as the emphasis in entrepreneurship course, which I feel are tailored in-keeping with my interests. And lastly, I'm also being offered some financial aid. The only thing that puts a spanner in the works and makes me a tad sceptical is the possibility of me not being able to get any sort of job or hitting some sort of cul-de-sac. Like I've said, I'm not seeking for a highly paid research job, but to join a young and upcoming start-up, preferably centred at or close to San Francisco.

I am almost certain that I won't be pursuing a PhD, and in this event going to a research university such as Northwestern seems a bit counterproductive. My undergraduate years were by and large rather tedious (due to the complete lack of practical training and the emphasis on rote learning) and I fear I may subject myself to two more years of theoretical tedium at an unconscionably expensive university.

I was hoping someone here would be able to shed light on the pros and cons of these colleges, so that I'd be able to make an informed choice. Like I said, it may seem a bit ludicrous that I wish to go to an unranked university, but personally I feel it'll stand me in good stead for carving the kind of niche I endeavour to. After all, the mainspring of one's choice must be dictated by what I get out of the school for what I'm paying.

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 25, 2011 by Whimsicaldiva

[sgp3213]

Rutgers is actually not even cheaper than USC. IU Bloomington and USF are really lower tier schools, so for me the clear winner is USC. However, if you feel that USF really has enough to offer you and the savings in money is worthwhile, then go for it.

[Amogh]

My 2 cents:

USF is an unranked university. The reason they have the entrepreneurship program and all that is to draw students to their program, which by all means is mediocre and attracts at best okay students. You will most probably not have your expectations met here.

My advice would be to steer clear of everything else and join USC. USC's program is very well reputed and the calibre of students is much higher, which totally justifies the cost you have to bear because the value for your degree and the network you develop is what matters. You may even find people to start your own startup here.