Columbia for Computer Vision MS

[ameydhar]

I completed my undergraduate degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from a reputed institution in India. I have been working as an Automotive Vision Software Engineer with a large multi-national company since the last two years.

 

I have been admitted to the M.S. program in Electrical Engineering at Columbia University. I am interested in Computer Vision and Machine Learning (particularly object recognition and large-scale computer vision). I had mentioned my interest to work with a professor in this area who is cross-listed in both the EE and CS departments. But I am having trouble getting the professor to commit to allowing me into his group prior to me actually going there this Fall and talking to him in person,

 

Considering my current situation, it would be great if I could get some help my queries below:

 

(1) How is the research in these areas at Columbia University? My ultimate goal is to get a PhD. I have heard that the school has a good brand name that would be valuable. I wanted to know if it is common to go to another school for the PhD program after completing MS from a different school in the US?

 

(2) I also wanted to know more about the location. Since most of the software tech companies and startups are located on the west coast (from what I've heard), do students attending east coast schools like Columbia get enough job opportunities there?

 

Thanks for any thoughts that you may have!

Edited April 17, 2013 by ameydhar