UPenn v/s Tufts

[gradschoolyay]

Has anyone done either of the following programs?Any idea of the program value addition,future job prospects etc.?

UPenn : M.S. Biotechnology

Tufts : Bioengineering

I am interested in Bioenterprise/Bioentrepreneurship,more so from the technical angle than the business angle.

UPenn is Ivy,Tufts is not.

But,Tufts is in Boston,UPenn is not.

Any advice to makea decision would truly help.

Thanks a ton!

cheers,

[Usmivka]

No idea about the schools. but where you live has a major influence on your quality of life, and hence what you get out of the degree. UPenn was in a dangerous area, but I suspect it has gentrified in the last decade or so. Tufts Medical Center is in a rough but fine area. It is worth noting that rental costs in Boston are among the most expensive in the nation and something like 30% of the population is undergrad students, which tend to make crummy neighbors, both in rentals and in the many 'kiddie condoes' bought by wealthy parents--there is no escape. Philadelphia doesn't even come close on either count. Boston can be a brilliant city if you have money to live comfortably (even then there is the risk of bad neighbors, see above), but if you are living on a grad student stipend (or worse, paying for a degree) it can be an unending nightmare. Or or could be totally fine and lovely. Depends on the sort of person you are and how tolerant you are of people.

If it were me, I'd check out the city profiles here on the forums and get a feel for the place you would be living.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Usmivka

[gradschoolyay]

Thanks for your input...I agree with your view taht the city matters.I love Boston,I spent last year studying at Harvard.So,I don't mind checking out a new place (an MS lasts for arnd 1.5-2 yrs anyway).However,as a grad student,I think most of my time will be consumed by the course requirements and within the campus.Hence,some feedback from someone who may have spent time in either schools could help!