Regarding funding, hopefully others will also post about that since it is a topic that really needs to be discussed more in this forum. It is certainly not easy getting funding for an M.S. degree, especially, it seems, for the first semester. Though you are interested in an M.S. degree, it may be helpful to see which universities offer the most funding for their computer science PhD programs since these universities may offer more funding to M.S. students as well:
Computer Science Rankings — PhDs.org Graduate School Guide
Though the words that best describe M.S. funding are "limited" and "competitive," some posters to this forum have been rather hopeful:
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Originally Posted by ProcessControl
It depends on the university's policy. If you're an M.S. student, they probably won't offer you an RA/TA ship in the first semester anyway. But once you're there, you can always apply for a TA-ship. They can't turn you down then.
Most international students know this: once you have one foot in the door....
The purpose of the financial statement is really only for them to assess if they ought to admit you without funding. You see, I believe the logic goes like this:
M.S. funding logic
If candidate fits profile and is exceptional: offer admission and funding
If candidate is strong but does not fit profile, but has enough money to attend for 1-semester so we can assess him during his 1st semester at no risk to us: offer admission without funding.
If candidate is strong but lacks certain things, and has no money to attend: do not offer admission at all. Too risky.
If candidate is weak: do not offer admission at all.
But don't quote me on that.
http://www.urch.com/forums/financial...k-loan-ms.html (Views on full bank loan for MS ...) |
According to the above logic, it would seem possible that going to a lower-ranking school may increase your chances for funding, though certainly universities vary widely regarding their ability to fund M.S. students. Another conjecture: If you have a greater chance of getting an RA position at a slightly lower-ranking school, gaining valuable RA experience may possibly help your resume more than having gone to the somewhat higher-ranking school.
An optimistic post about paying for grad school:
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Originally Posted by knd7
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For some less optimistic comments about funding, see my posts
here (Please Help!!!), but keep in mind I still haven't even applied to grad school yet.
Regarding operating systems, it seems Berkeley has the best program for operating systems and computer architecture, especially since they have
Dr. David Patterson and the research dollars that he attracts. However, you can have most of the "David Patterson experience" for free by watching
his webcasts.
Similarly, USNews ranked Berkeley #1 for computer systems. However, getting into Berkeley is a major challenge, even for an M.S. degree. Since they have so many PhD applicants that are rejected, I don't know what your odds are, especially since they probably offer some of their rejected PhD applicants admission into their M.S. program. For an example profile of someone admitted into Berkeley's MS program:
http://www.urch.com/forums/admission...lowed-phd.html (Admit @ UC Berkeley Fall 2004 MS in CS to be followed by PhD)
A rejection letter from Berkeley:
http://www.urch.com/forums/admission...-berkeley.html (News from Berkeley !)
For networking, I don't know who is best, but for a list of safety schools (lower-ranked universities) that offer M.S. programs in networking:
http://www.urch.com/forums/489483-post6.html
Regarding CMU, it is "mission impossible" trying to be admitted into their PhD computer science program. However, since you are interested in an M.S. degree, you have a much greater chance. To my knowledge, CMU does not offer a traditional M.S. in Computer Science degree except for CMU undergraduates who complete a fifth year. However, they do have academic and professional M.S. programs that seem much easier to get into, e.g.:
The Information Networking Institute (INI)
Carnegie Mellon University - Master of Science in Information Technology - Very Large Information Systems - MSIT VLIS
Masters of Information Systems Management (MIS) @ Carnegie Mellon
- Carnegie Mellon University - Master of Software Engineering Homepage
It seems the detractor for applying for an M.S. at CMU is the obviously high tuition costs combined with the typical problems of getting M.S. funding:
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From the "Indian grad" perspective, I think you should apply to CMU MS-CS (if thats what you were referring to).
CMU is mighty expensive, many people don't apply, and since they don't fund most of their MS candidates, they are a little lenient in granting MS admits.
CMU-PhD however is top-notch.
(out of reach).
You could perhaps try the INI program if you have the $$$$, the acceptance for that program is pretty high.
http://www.urch.com/forums/computer-...ances-cmu.html (Hi! Rate my chances at CMU...)
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So with CMU, the question is: Is the tuition worth it? Previously, I have speculated that the answer is "maybe not," at least for their professional (non-academic) MS degrees:
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Though CMU would definitely provide much better job placement than say the University of Arizona, with the money I save I could fly across the country for job interviews (New York City, Silicon Valley, etc.) not only for my first job but for my entire career.
According to PayScale.com, the median salary for someone with an MS in Software Engineering from CMU is $78,030. However, the highest pay went to graduates of three other programs:
Median Salary:
National University - $90,132
Seattle University - $84,048
DePaul Univeristy - $81,677
...I assume the difference in pay is mostly because those who went to National University (which based in San Diego) were more likely to work in San Diego and Silicon Valley where there is a higher cost of living.
On the other hand, everything is relative to your future job prospects. If you eventually land a job in New York City paying $200,000 a year, then $60,000 doesn't seem so high for tuition. Then again, any job that pays such a high salary will likely be more stressful and may even accelerate the aging process.
http://www.urch.com/forums/computer-...gineering.html (Got admit from CMU - Masters in Software Engineering)
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BTW, at least 2 years ago, there wasn't an application fee to apply to some of CMU's M.S. programs:
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List of universities with no application fee
->Carnegie Mellon University (CS PhD Program)
->Carnegie Mellon University (MS-INI Program)
->Johns Hopkins University
->University of Utah (only CS MS/PhD programs)
->University of Rochester
->Vanderbilt University
->Drexel University
->University of Dayton - No TOEFL Score Required too
http://www.urch.com/forums/graduate-...chances-6.html (Plz Evaluate My chances)
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Regarding UIUC, they offer a Master of Computer Science (like an M.S. degree but without a thesis) via distance learning and they don't seem to be too selective for who is admitted:
Programs | Online Degree and Certificate Programs | Computer Science | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This may mean that it is not-too-difficult to be admitted into their traditional M.S. degree program for computer science.
Regarding UT at Austin:
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I would say UIUC>>>UT>RICE.
UIUC - amazing place for research because there is NOTHING else to do in U-C.
The other 2 are kind of a toss up, but I tend to believe that UTA has a better reputation.
UT only funds top 10% of new students. Those that did not get funding, MAY get it next year. But there is no guarantee (especially if you are foreign).
http://www.urch.com/forums/admission...ice-vs-ut.html (UIUC vs. Rice vs. UT)
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For all of these schools, they should be able to provide you with statistics regarding the number of M.S. applicants each year and the number of admitted students. I would also ask each school you are interested in about the percentage/number of M.S. students who are given RA or TA positions. If funding is the top priority, then the ideal would probably be a school with moderate tuition and above-average funding for M.S. students.
Regarding TOEFL, you seem to be on target to meet or exceed minimum score requirements for the TOEFL-iBT:
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TOEFL and TSE
Do I need to take the TOEFL and TSE?
A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to the University of Washington Graduate School. Applicants, including transfers, who are not citizens of the United States on the date of admission and whose native language is other than English, must submit a TOEFL-iBT score, or TOEFL (CBT or PBT) and TSE scores. The scores must be less than two years old. Exceptions and minimum scores are outlined below.
TOEFL-iBT: The TOEFL-iBT is currently being phased in around the world. It will replace the TOEFL (CBT & PBT) and the TSE. The minimum TOEFL-iBT score is 100, including at least 28 on the Speaking section of the test (this is the section that replaces the TSE) and at least 70 combined on the other sections. Applicants who submit a TOEFL-iBT score DO NOT need to submit a TSE score.
TOEFL (CBT or PBT): Minimun score of at least 250 (computer) or 600 (paper).
PhD/MS Prospective Applicants FAQ
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(I would think a good TOEFL score that is significantly above the minimum requirements could help increase your chances of getting a TA position.)