UCB MEng vs. UWMadison MS

[Guest]

Hi,

This is my first time on the forum, and I could really use some advice.

 

I've gotten a couple of admits for Fall 2014:

 

a. An MEng at Berkeley which would run through half of my parents' life savings; or

b. A funded MS at UW-Madison which would practically cost me nothing.

 

UWM is a school I regard highly and I'd be entirely content with that, but I just don't want the regret of having let a good opportunity go as far as UCB is concerned. Any suggestions/relevant info would be highly appreciated.

[EngineerGrad]

MS at UW-Madison is a much better option. The MEng at Berkeley is a good program, but it is really short, and would make your job searching short as well. The program is only a year long. 

 

UW-Madison is a great school, and it is funded! An MS usually takes 2 years to complete and in the mean time you could establish a good relationship with professors and possibly apply for a funded PhD student if you want to go that route.

 

Congratulations on your acceptances! :-)

[Guest]

MS at UW-Madison is a much better option. The MEng at Berkeley is a good program, but it is really short, and would make your job searching short as well. The program is only a year long. 

 

UW-Madison is a great school, and it is funded! An MS usually takes 2 years to complete and in the mean time you could establish a good relationship with professors and possibly apply for a funded PhD student if you want to go that route.

 

Congratulations on your acceptances! :-)

Thanks a lot!

[Lilole]

Highly agree with EngineerGrad.

 

Also, the MEng at Berkeley is targeted at students who immediately want to join the workforce - there is no thesis, more emphasis on leadership courses. If this is not the path you want to take, then the MS at UWM is much better.

 

Plus, the difference between these top schools after a point is very slight - you are going to get a top class education at either. 

 

Given that you would be funded at UWM, I would recommend going there too.

[peachypie]

Take the offer from Wisconsin.   Excellent opportunity and great that it is funded.  Also be aware that saying UWM means you are going to UW-Milwaukee... not Madison.  The distinction means something.  You either refer to Wisconsin as Wisconsin, UW, UW-Madison, or Madison.  

[unicorn11]

I got an admit to UW Madison but in the Professional Master's Program (PMP) which is of course is not funded. 

I completed by under graduation in EEE and have applied to CS programs only!

I m not from CS background so getting funding from other Universities is very less likely. 

I have a couple of other admits such a Virginia Tech (CS), Purdue (CS) again without funding. 

 

What should I do? UW Madison? Purdue? VT? Any thoughts?

[kcyc]

I got an admit to UW Madison but in the Professional Master's Program (PMP) which is of course is not funded. 

I completed by under graduation in EEE and have applied to CS programs only!

I m not from CS background so getting funding from other Universities is very less likely. 

I have a couple of other admits such a Virginia Tech (CS), Purdue (CS) again without funding. 

 

What should I do? UW Madison? Purdue? VT? Any thoughts?

Definitely Purdue or UW. VT caliber is too far off. Then choose based on which degree is cheaper/ takes less time.

[kcyc]

On 3/13/2014 at 1:52 PM, Anonymous said:

Hi,

This is my first time on the forum, and I could really use some advice.

 

I've gotten a couple of admits for Fall 2014:

 

a. An MEng at Berkeley which would run through half of my parents' life savings; or

b. A funded MS at UW-Madison which would practically cost me nothing.

 

UWM is a school I regard highly and I'd be entirely content with that, but I just don't want the regret of having let a good opportunity go as far as UCB is concerned. Any suggestions/relevant info would be highly appreciated.

I will take the counter argument.

Berkeley is 1 year. I'm assuming UW is 2 years. If graduate early that 1 year u could make money to pay off tuition 35k. MS starting salary is 80-100k, after tax u still get 60-70k. Berkeley is 1 hour drive from Silicon Valley and with Berkeley degree u could get interviews more easily. MIT, Stanford, Berkeley are 1st tier in engineering, all other schools come in 2nd. I think it's worth the gamble.

Unless of course your parents are already retired and need the money.

[Lilole]

Kcyc,

Good points.

I'll just add that the objectives of the two courses are also way different, and should be a factor of the decision.

Best,

Lilole (Probably heading to Berkeley for MENG EECS)