Construction Management: UIUC vs. UC Boulder vs. IIT Madras

[Silver Shah]

I have got into UIUC and UC Boulder for CEM. I needed help to make a decision....

 

My undergraduate thesis is on Project Delivery Systems and Prof. Molenaar who is the dept. chair at Boulder has research undergoing in the same field. Also, he replied to my mail positively, before I had received admit. I also find the CEM courses offered by Boulder have variety with course on project delivery that I found only in Berkeley otherwise.... (I currently don't have funding but I think my chances of getting the same at Boulder would be greater)

 

But UC Boulder is quite behind in university rankings and I don't know about its employer reputation, etc...

 

In UIUC, I have received admission under the non-thesis option. UIUC offers the general CEM courses but the faculty are all interested in IT for construction, Automation, Disaster response, etc. I wonder whether I would be able to connect with prof. there as till now I haven't been into these subjects. There is just an interesting course on conflict resolution that is not offered at Boulder

 

But UIUC is ranked as the best and as per my understanding, has a great brand value

 

Right now, I want to work in deciding delivery and planning of capital projects. I really don't know about Ph.D.... should it be done? What is its value, etc.

 

So I wanted to ask, how helpful/crucial is university's brand in providing you the opportunity to work in the desired field.... Is faculty connect very important, does it matter as much as university itself?

 

Also, I have an All India Rank of 22 in GATE (Archi), through which I have an possibility of getting into the CEM course of IIT Madras/Delhi, which are the best in India.

 

Sorry for making it such a long read. Please help

[grindian]

I am from India. I'd say go to UIUC to further your horizons and gain a global perspective. If you're troubled with funding, only then consider IIT-M/IIT-D