Choose among CMU, Stanford and Berkeley!

[thecandidate]

Hi, I am recently accepted to the MISM program of Carnegie Mellon University.
I also applied to the Management Science and Engineering program at Stanford and to the Information Systems Management program at UC Berkeley. If everything goes well, I expect to be accepted by both programs. I must give a response to the admission offer of CMU before the application results of Stanford and Berkeley are announced. So I must select between those programs.
I studied computer science as first and business administration as second major. I made internships in IT companies. So mainly, I am concentrated on IT industry. All three programs are technology oriented, which fits my background.
Each schools have some pros and cons, let me list those:

CMU:
+ highly reputed in the IT industry, the program has a very high value in commercial rankings, attractive curriculum
- located in pittsburgh

Stanford:
+ It is Stanford , located in the silicon valley, palo alto is a beautiful place to live in
- The program is not too much related with IT, rather students can specialize in IT via electives.

Berkeley:
+ strong CS background of the school, close to the silicon valley, berkeley is as beautiful as palo alto.
- the program is not very much related with business view of management but more related with the information management (psychological and social aspects)

I will be glad for any help that makes it easier for me to decide which program to select. Thanks in advance.

[Ancalagon The Black]

Depends on whether you want to work or do research after this.

All 3 programs are good. Incidentally, whats your profile ?? The reason I am asking this is because I have also applied to the MISM program at UCB (PhD though)

[thecandidate]

Hi Ancalagon The Black,
thanks for the reply.
I definitely want to work, rather than research. I did some research as part of my undergraduate study, I wrote a paper and presented it in two conferences. After all, decided not to go further on academic side of the field.

I think you can remember my profile from another thread you replied but I add it here as well:
Major 1: Computer Science ; CGPA: 3.84/4 ; Class rank 1/50
Major 2: Business Administration ; CGPA: 3.9/4 ; Class rank: 2/150
research: wrote one paper, joined two conferences
Work exp.: 2 internships in two large international IT companies

I believe that UCB has great research opportunities, in that the field of study is too broad, so you made an excellent choice for a PhD.

[Ancalagon The Black]

Hmm, my profile is similar. My undergraduate major is business administration (rank 4/150) and post graduate diploma in computer applications (no idea about rank but should be similar)

Although I have a few publications under my belt. Also, I have a lesser GRE score (only 770 quant and 700 verbal and 6.0 writing) I need funding !!

[thecandidate]

sir, with that profile it would be a surprise if you won't receive a scholarship or at least a TA/RA offer.

[Ancalagon The Black]

CMU and Stanford programs have no aid for MS only students. UCB has aid but does not cover non resident tuition (around 15K per year !!)

[thecandidate]

as far as I knew CMU had aid opportunities for their MS students but I might most probably be wrong. Have you checked the external sources such as Fulbright or Rotary?

[Ancalagon The Black]

Leaving aside external resources, CMU per semester tuition is around 19K if I am not mistaken. The maximum aid offered is a half tuition !! Too expensive !!

[qwarentine]

What is you r GRE score ??? Eeven i am targetting joining CMU next year

Originally Posted by thecandidate

Hi, I am recently accepted to the MISM program of Carnegie Mellon University.
I also applied to the Management Science and Engineering program at Stanford and to the Information Systems Management program at UC Berkeley. If everything goes well, I expect to be accepted by both programs. I must give a response to the admission offer of CMU before the application results of Stanford and Berkeley are announced. So I must select between those programs.
I studied computer science as first and business administration as second major. I made internships in IT companies. So mainly, I am concentrated on IT industry. All three programs are technology oriented, which fits my background.
Each schools have some pros and cons, let me list those:

CMU:
+ highly reputed in the IT industry, the program has a very high value in commercial rankings, attractive curriculum
- located in pittsburgh

Stanford:
+ It is Stanford , located in the silicon valley, palo alto is a beautiful place to live in
- The program is not too much related with IT, rather students can specialize in IT via electives.

Berkeley:
+ strong CS background of the school, close to the silicon valley, berkeley is as beautiful as palo alto.
- the program is not very much related with business view of management but more related with the information management (psychological and social aspects)

I will be glad for any help that makes it easier for me to decide which program to select. Thanks in advance.

[thecandidate]

I had not taken the gre at the time of application yet, so applied with my gmat score which is 650 (the avg. gmat score of mism department). As far as I know, the avg. gre score of mism department is between 1300 and 1400.