CMU ECE vs GaTech ECE

[C Jagannathan]

I have got admits from CMU and GaTech for MS in ECE department. I am confused as to which one I should choose as they are both very good. The specialisation/ "technical tracks" I am looking for is 1)embedded systems or 2)algorithms  track respectively. I will be taking one of these two tracks. My teminal degree aim is PhD. I have the following questions:

 

For the above specialisations, which university is better?

Is it easy to jump from MS to PhD in these univs?

 

I looked up the faculty in both universities. Both have good research in these 2 areas. So I am really confused.

Kindly give your inputs.

[JimmyK4542]

I don't know much about CMU, but at Georgia Tech, ECE MS students that finish MS requirements and take and pass the PhD prelims are reclassified as PhD students. See here: http://www.ece.gatech.edu/academics/graduate/internal/graduate/faq.html

 

Another consideration: have you received funding offers from either program?

[C Jagannathan]

I don't know much about CMU, but at Georgia Tech, ECE MS students that finish MS requirements and take and pass the PhD prelims are reclassified as PhD students. See here: http://www.ece.gatech.edu/academics/graduate/internal/graduate/faq.html

 

Another consideration: have you received funding offers from either program?

 

No funding from both the universities. The procedure is the same even in CMU. But I would like to know how easy/how much is the intake to the PhD program. 

Also, the MS in CMU does not have a thesis option. It only has a project option. So, if I don't get PhD in CMU, what is the possibility that I can get PhD in other universities given that there was no thesis but a project?

[NanoTech]

First of all it really sucks that you get to pay for your graduate study. Anyways if I were you I would go to CMU.

if you prove how good you really are I'm sure you be able to get into PhD program at CMU or else wherer like MIT Stanford or Berkeley.

[tarrman]

First of all it really sucks that you get to pay for your graduate study. Anyways if I were you I would go to CMU.

if you prove how good you really are I'm sure you be able to get into PhD program at CMU or else wherer like MIT Stanford or Berkeley.

 

That's true for any program; if you publish really solid papers, top schools will be impressed. Both CMU and Ga Tech have really strong reputations and send out students top schools every year.

 

No funding from both the universities. The procedure is the same even in CMU. But I would like to know how easy/how much is the intake to the PhD program. 

Also, the MS in CMU does not have a thesis option. It only has a project option. So, if I don't get PhD in CMU, what is the possibility that I can get PhD in other universities given that there was no thesis but a project?

 

A thesis will look much better on your CV than a non-thesis (or project) when applying for a Ph.D.

 

I'd say the intake is pretty high considering the ECE program is the largest in the country. The prelims are also pretty easy: the written test is a collection of undergraduate level questions in various fields of ECE, but you only have to answer a few of them. 

[Rishipal]

@C Jagannath - What did you choose?

 

I have received admits from GaTech for fall 14, and from CMU for spring 15, and I'm confused about which one to choose. I wanna specialize in Embedded Systems/Comp Arch.

 

The problem with georgia tech is that embedded systems is almost non-existent at georgia tech in terms of the coursework. Consequently, the placements are bad for embedded systems students. 

 

Vlsi and comp arch are doing well as far as I know.

 

Any senior could throw more light on the employment prospects of Georgia tech Fall v/s CMU Spring for embedded systems please?