Deciding between MIT and CMU for Machine Learning

[tetradeca7tope]

All,

 

So I've received offers from MIT and CMU for my PhD. My area of interest is Machine Learning.

I am trying to decide between one of the 2 schools.

 

So both schools are great, and I probably won't go wrong at either place.

But I still need to decide on one, and am trying to gather as much information as possible.

 

+ves for CMU:

a lot of breadth (esp when it comes to theoretical ML), good ML culture, and pubs at leading ML conferences.

 

+ves for MIT

strong NLP, CV and applied ML research groups, good overall culture, and perhaps more reputed than CMU

 

Location is also a bit of a concern for me. I think I'll like the big city feel of Cambridge/ Boston more that Pittsburgh. Also, already have friends in the region which is always a good thing. In contrast, I might be alone at Pittsburgh. But then again, you can make new friends !

 

Please send in your thoughts.

Send in as much information as you can.

 

Thank you !

 

[mnipenny]

From your words, I can tell you prefer MIT.

Why don't just follow your heart? 

[tetradeca7tope]

Actually, no. My heart tells me CMU. Everyone is telling me MIT

Follow your heart, is good advice. But I'd like the decision to be as informed as possible, and wouldn't want to discount others' opinion.

 

I am just looking for information on the relative merits/demerits pros/cons of each program.

Nothing more, nothing less. Please provide if you have any.

[schummelpilz]

I think I would look at concrete advisers instead of programs. Talk to them at try to get the feeling for whether you would want to work with and depend on that guy.