Columbia Vs Utah Vs Virginia (CS)

[panks]

Hello Friends,

I applied for MS/PhD program in Computer Science specializing in Computer Graphics.
I have got following admits and need your help in choosing the final Univ.

1. University of Virginia (MS+PhD) Full Aid
2. University of Utah (PhD) Full Aid
3. Columbia University (MS) No info on aid yet
4. University of Alberta, Canada (MS) Full Aid

My personal first preference will be Columbia if I can get aid over there but changes are bleak and I can't finance my graduate studies without aid.

Please provide information on rest of the three Univs (Utah,Virginia & Alberta) and evaluate them in terms of research/ranking/location.

My another query is: Can I accept aid offers from a Canadian Univ (Alberta in my case) and a US Univ ? Can it cause any problem?

Thanks!

[skremon]

First of all congrats!!!
If you go for PhD straight away (many US universities prefer it that way, like Columbia) consider Utah. I think that the MS in Columbia is considered as a terminal degree and doesn't necessarily lead to PhD and aid is tough too. Utah is one of the best in CG research (Columbia as well!) so if you want to pursue a research career in graphics its the best option IMO. Be sure to check out their CG labs & professors before making your final decision. Now a days profs/students/graduates are making significant contributions in the conferences and working in companies like ATI/Nvidia or profs in premier universities.
I hope you make the best possible decision.

[panks]

Thank you skremon for your input.

I will be happy to get further suggestions/advices from other friends in this forum.

[gforce]

Hello panks,

Welcome to TestMagic! Congrats on being admitted to Columbia, UoU and UVa.
Since you are interested in Computer Graphics, I'd recommend Utah which is supposed to have a very good graphics group. You've mentioned that aid is a primary concern for you. In that case, it makes sense to accept Utah's offer.
However, get your priorities right. If you aren't really interested in the PhD program, I'd recommend Columbia. I wouldn't recommend UVa when compared with Columbia or Univ. of Utah.
According to rankings alone, Columbia is way ahead (and more reputed) than the others. Columbia-#20, Univ. of Utah-#29, Univ. of Virginia-#27.
Btw, since you are interested in graphics, why didn't you apply to UNC-CH? They are regarded as the leaders in this realm of CS.

[panks]

Thanks gforce for your reply. I indeed expected one from you. I didn't apply to UNC as my GRE scores did not match their expectations.

Can someone please answer my another initial query:
Can I accept aid offers from a Canadian Univ (Alberta in my case) and a US Univ ? Can it cause any problem?

Thanks.