MS in ME: Fully Funded to Not Known Univ, OR Unfunded to High Reputation Univ?

[disquoveri]

I read a few threads about prestige, reputation and name versus cost, but it mainly pertained to art, humanities and social science field. I want to know how different this subject is in the engineering field. 

 

I got my my BS in Mechanical Engineering at UC Merced, and I am applying for my master's. I heard back from a few schools already and pretty much soon I have to make a decision. The different master's programs I applied to are at equally of interest. Here's the situation: I am deciding between UC Merced (MS in Mech Engr) and USC (MS in Product Development Engr). Yes, I know UC Merced is not very well-known, really new school with not very much reputation, lowest ranked of the UCs, etc. etc. etc.... and on the other hand, USC, high reputation, well known in the nation/world, highly ranked, etc. 

 

But here's the deal... UC Merced is offering me a paid TA-ship and summer research position for the next school year. On top of that, tuition and fees are paid. If I keep my grades up, I can continue being funded as a Graduate Student Researcher or TA the following school year (which I think is very likely). Basically, I'm getting a full ride + a little more. The professor that chose me to assist in his research is someone I'm super excited and interested in working with, and also his field of research is something I am really looking forward to get into as a career, too. 

 

And there's USC... I'm not getting anything. No TA-ship or research position. They don't offer TA positions to MS students. I don't qualify for any of their scholarships/fellowships/grants. It's going to cost me 50-60k per year (housing and having a life included).

 

(If some are wondering why I'm pursuing a master's instead of a PhD: I'm going for my master's because I felt I haven't learned enough in my undergrad to pursue a career I want to get into. I also want to do something more practical in a career than academia, and I don't think I can handle any more schooling than a master's. In addition, there's family obligations/issues I have to address to.)

 

Any thoughts? How much does name really matter? 

[msocean]

I'm not in your field.  But anytime you can get a free ride, and your goals are not tied to "brand name" academia for future teaching/research, I'd take the free ride.

 

Although I'm in the sciences, I do not see myself teaching either.  I have gotten through my UG with a state scholarship, so I am debt-free at the moment.  I have plenty of friends who will spend the rest of their lives paying off their loans.  I can't imagine taking on the kind of debt they have with employers taking advantage of the economy and no guarantee you're going to make the type of wage to get ahead with debt looming over you.  I know engineers are more in demand than biologists, but I would still lean to the "bird in the hand."

 

Good luck, whatever you choose!

[disquoveri]

I'm not in your field.  But anytime you can get a free ride, and your goals are not tied to "brand name" academia for future teaching/research, I'd take the free ride.

 

Although I'm in the sciences, I do not see myself teaching either.  I have gotten through my UG with a state scholarship, so I am debt-free at the moment.  I have plenty of friends who will spend the rest of their lives paying off their loans.  I can't imagine taking on the kind of debt they have with employers taking advantage of the economy and no guarantee you're going to make the type of wage to get ahead with debt looming over you.  I know engineers are more in demand than biologists, but I would still lean to the "bird in the hand."

 

Good luck, whatever you choose!

 

Thanks! You made a couple good points I didn't think about.

[sachincp16]

I actually just talked to a professor at my undergrad institution about this. He went to MIT for his Ph.D. in Economics so I gave some weight to his advice. I'm in a similar situation and asked him if it is worth it to go into debt for a ME masters at a prestigious school with no funding vs a good school with half-tuition funding. I asked him whether or not a the name of a prestigious university is something to consider in the scheme of all things.

 

What they said: Depending on what you want to do, the prestigious school has its benefits. They are up there-that is well known- for a reason (rankings aside) because of the quality of their faculty, program, rigor, student body,etc, etc--and employers take notice to that. In addition, these universities are usually well-funded and they have strong industry contacts and resources..employers will come to them wanting to take their students. Also because of funding and name recognition, generally more opportunities are available to you through the university (a few professors have confirmed all this for me). If obtaining financing (loans, parents, savings) are not too much of an issue, then you should consider it, as you will have better job prospects and the debt will only be a small fraction of what you will eventually make from an ME degree in the long run as this is a long-term investment. 

 

This does come with a caveat though. If financing is an issue, and if you know where you are going to be in the future and the research you will do is specific enough to fill a need and you know it will get you into the field/position after graduation, then UC Merced might work out perfect for you. 

 

Does this all mean you will get a masters from a less prestigious school and no job offer. Of course not; a masters degree in mechanical engineering is sought after and so you'll eventually find something; it'll just be more hit or miss. 

 

There will be a lot posts suggesting otherwise and my advise is not one-size fits all. The program you choose has to be right for your goals. Even if you spend nothing to go to get a masters, and the masters program in the end is not right for you, then you lose time which is just as valuable. 

 

This is a lot to digest I suppose, but one final piece of advice. Although a little bit hard to do, consider the schools with financials aside. Include research, program, professors locations, or whatever is important to you. Obviously in the end you need to consider financials, but you also want to look at things objectively as much as possible also without much emotional influence by money.

 

Hope that helps, good luck, and be confident in your decision!

[disquoveri]

I actually just talked to a professor at my undergrad institution about this. He went to MIT for his Ph.D. in Economics so I gave some weight to his advice. I'm in a similar situation and asked him if it is worth it to go into debt for a ME masters at a prestigious school with no funding vs a good school with half-tuition funding. I asked him whether or not a the name of a prestigious university is something to consider in the scheme of all things.

 

What they said: Depending on what you want to do, the prestigious school has its benefits. They are up there-that is well known- for a reason (rankings aside) because of the quality of their faculty, program, rigor, student body,etc, etc--and employers take notice to that. In addition, these universities are usually well-funded and they have strong industry contacts and resources..employers will come to them wanting to take their students. Also because of funding and name recognition, generally more opportunities are available to you through the university (a few professors have confirmed all this for me). If obtaining financing (loans, parents, savings) are not too much of an issue, then you should consider it, as you will have better job prospects and the debt will only be a small fraction of what you will eventually make from an ME degree in the long run as this is a long-term investment. 

 

This does come with a caveat though. If financing is an issue, and if you know where you are going to be in the future and the research you will do is specific enough to fill a need and you know it will get you into the field/position after graduation, then UC Merced might work out perfect for you. 

 

Does this all mean you will get a masters from a less prestigious school and no job offer. Of course not; a masters degree in mechanical engineering is sought after and so you'll eventually find something; it'll just be more hit or miss. 

 

There will be a lot posts suggesting otherwise and my advise is not one-size fits all. The program you choose has to be right for your goals. Even if you spend nothing to go to get a masters, and the masters program in the end is not right for you, then you lose time which is just as valuable. 

 

This is a lot to digest I suppose, but one final piece of advice. Although a little bit hard to do, consider the schools with financials aside. Include research, program, professors locations, or whatever is important to you. Obviously in the end you need to consider financials, but you also want to look at things objectively as much as possible also without much emotional influence by money.

 

Hope that helps, good luck, and be confident in your decision!

 

Thanks! Yeah, I've been thinking about factors that are also important to me aside from monies. I've been comparing the programs and course offerings for each of my choices. I'm also trying to think whether the research I will be doing at UCM will actually put an influence and can help me put a foot forward towards the field I eventually want to work in my career (the uncertainty kills me). USC can very likely get me some job right away but probably not in the field I want to work in; it'll probably take time to get where I want to be. And yeah, financial is a very big thing and hard to take aside... but after considering financials aside and considering the other important factors, I have to take financial back in to see if my decision is well worth the investment... I wished there wasn't a price tag on education. Thanks again though!