Penn State v/s Stonybrook CS PhD ??

[ritendra]

Hi sh...

Ya I could but I am afraid I do not have a USnews paid account ... so I can't avail that option... if you have an account, can you tell me the new Penn State and Stonybrook's Computer Engineering ranks ?? I heard it is out with 2005 rankings..

thanks

Ritendra

[vishwa]

Ritendra - I thought you were interested in CS and not CE. In any case, if you really think all things are equal between the two places and the US News ranking is what will break the tie, then here you go - for Computer Engineering (2005 US News ranking), SUNY is ranked 54 and Penn State is ranked 16. For CS, the picture is different though, with SUNY being 32 and Penn State 36. I still think you should base your decision on particular faculty interests in your general area, seeking to maximize a match in terms of interests, rather than a rank from a publication, but then you are the best judge of your future.

[sh123sh]

Here below is the info I had stored for penn state(2004 ranking- when I had the usnews subscription). u can get similar info for stonybrook & then compare.

School Pennsylvania State University--University Park(PA)*
Public/Private Public*
Size (FT/PT) 1,390 / 240*
U.S. News ranking 21*
Location
City/State University Park, PA*
Distance from home (miles) N/A*
Admissions **
Acceptance rate 25.3%*
Number of applicants 4,874*
Number accepted 1,232*
Number enrolled 419*
Average undergraduate GPA 3.52*
Average GRE verbal score 533*
Average GRE quantitative score 755*
Average GRE analytical score 687*
Cost & Financial Aid
Private tuition N/A*
Public in-state tuition $8,950 per year*
Public out-of-state tuition $18,328 per year*
Required fees $944 per year*
Room/board $5,790*
Books/supplies $850*
Miscellaneous expenses N/A*
Total fellowships/assistantships 1,263*
Student Body **
Percent male/female 79.7% / 20.3%*
Percent minority 2.5%*
Percent international 63.5%*
Academics **
Research expenditures 2001-2002 (in millions) $97.9*

[ritendra]

Vishwa:
The dept. at Penn State is called Computer Science & Engg. and they have a PhD program in CSE only. Penn State doesn't have a CE PhD program.So I really don't know which rankings (CE or CS) to take into account. The rankings are quite different (16 and 35) , and same for Stonybrook. If this CE ranking applies to CSE at Penn State then I must say the jump is mammoth (thought rankings are but mere people's opinions) and may be seen as something positive I guess.

Sh123sh :
Thanx a ton for putting in all this effort. I received the paper form of my offer from Stonybrook, and I must say it is very demeaning to say the least. Very untidily done, almost in haste, most of the entries (including my Name !!! ) have been done in pen in ineligible hand-writing, the figures aren't even visible. I can't imagine a reputed school like Stonybrook should be this unprofessional. I think the application packet I sent them was thrice as clean, clear and tidy, and most importantly, done with care. In contrast, Penn State documents have all been extremely professional yet full opf warmth, including the letters, the content of the letters, the quality of their offer documents, and overall presentation. It is funny and can be considered stupid, but in the same way as the admissions committees look into the presentation of our packets and often judge some things from it, I guess it's out turn to judge their quality and develop certain opinions about what to expect, atleast in terms of the administrative assistance! So balance tilting towards Penn State by quite a bit!

Ritendra

[BigMo]

hey Ritendra

your response was cool. You are absolutely rigth, school need to be professional as well, I mean thats the least, now Stonybrook is about to loose a great student like yourself over stupid things like this, hey its their lost .....Penn State probably wants you more, so go there and you are given more money there, like I told you before there is not a Big difference in the qualityof the Phds in CS between Stony and Penn State; the only difference is that Stony is more known in CSE thats all, Like I said its all about your advisor just follow the guy you think will be more appropriate for your interests....Since you are Indian, I would strongly recommend you to email folks at both Penn State and Stony Brook and ask them questions like....how is the administration? how are graduate students treated? How are professors? Are they helpful, arrogant? How are the students, are they good collegues or are they too competitive? How are living expenses?How frequently do students publish papers, do they get a lot of help for the publication process? do students participate in conferences? How are the seminars? Do students get grant for travels? These are the questions you should ask and get the answers to before you decide, and then you will be certainly sure that you have made the best choice for your future. Remember you will spend your next 6 years working extremely hard to get that piece of paper(Phd ) so make a smart choice. I hope I was helpful, I wish I ghad the answers to those questions

[ritendra]

Hey BigMO,

Thanks for calling my statement cool I am flattered ... actually I was just honest about what I felt .. even though I have nothing against Stonybrook as such , as it might well just reflect the attitude of the Graduate Secretary, and not of the rest of the department, but whatever it is, it certainly created a negative impression in my mind and that's here to stay [:o)].

As for the answering those questions, I did mail some grads about it but they all seem so busy (which is quite understandable) that it seems I can't get a uniform opinion , or an answer to all those questions until I actually land up there.It is a risk alright but a very small one coz I think risks are there everywhere in greater proportions, and both departments will have their pros and cons. As for what kind of student Stonybrook is gonna miss, I don't know I myself have to discover that after I land there (I am not from IIT, the Indians these univs. respect most come from IITs in India). Infact I sometimes feel scared that with such a huge investment made per student in these places, their expectation will also be high and I don't know if I can live up to them.

So Penn State it is I guess. Anybody attending Penn State do let me know. If any other Indians (especially those like me, from unrecognised undergrad institutions in India) want any help in CS admissions, do post, and if I can be of any assistance I will try and help. BigMO, are you gonna attend Stonybrook? TestMagic Forums is a nice concept and I got a LOT of help. Thanks to you all :-)

Ritendra