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Ancalagon The Black · 2008 February 26th, 06:11 AM

Hi,

I have an interview from Iowa State in their MS in HCI program. The program guarantees full RA for all candidates and ergo, it is a good and viable option.

The appropriate link: Human Computer Interaction (HCI) : MS Program

My question is:

1. How much does the reputation of Iowa State count considering that (a) this is a new program, (b) a very good program and (c) I want to do my PhD in a similar line from a top 5 school later.

2. How good is the location of Iowa State and is it a low cost of living town?

3. Overall, is it worth it, considering that I do not get any more offers of admission.

Modeler · 2008 February 26th, 11:30 AM

While I don't know about this program in particular, I seem to recall Iowa St. being solid in some subjects despite the university not having much of a national reputation in general. Also any MS that guarantees funding is

. Good luck with the interview.

MDK · 2008 February 26th, 01:19 PM

Iowa State University is ranked 151-200 world wide according to ARWU, this is quite good ranking but not for you, since I know your profile ( which is a very good one) I assume you would be offered admission from much better universities than Iowa State, but you should go for the interview "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush".

Quote:

2. How good is the location of Iowa State and is it a low cost of living town?

It's freaking cold there in Iowa, but the cost of living is relatively moderate, around 9k for academic year (according to USNews)

Quote:

3. Overall, is it worth it, considering that I do not get any more offers of admission.

This is not the question you should pose, the question is: what would you achieve if you you stayed in India for another year ( or semester) ??? are you going to do some research and strengthen your profile so that you can enter better universities ?? what I meant is : what would this extra year add to your credentials? if nothing vital then you should definitely go to Iowa State.

BTW, HCI is a tough subject since it is an interdisciplinary filed that combines Physics , Virtual Reality, AI and human behavior. I assume CalmLogic would help you in this since he was aiming for MS in HCI.

CalmLogic · 2008 February 27th, 02:24 AM

Quote:

3. Overall, is it worth it, considering that I do not get any more offers of admission.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I think you've told me before but I forget. HCI per se is not H1B friendly, but I think you already know that. Since one can choose most of the electives in the program, I think you could make it a partial CS degree if you wanted to.

Since you are interested in getting a PhD, I have considered getting an MS at Iowa State and then applying to the PhD program at Georgia Tech in Human Centered Computing. I don't know, however, what the odds would be of such a transition. It would obviously depend greatly on what one is able to publish in the meantime.

Personally, my interest in HCI is mostly in applying machine learning, and I don't have an interest in PhD programs. I am interested in the Iowa State HCI MS program but I have been learning more lately to getting an MS in statistics via distance learning. I am just so sick and tired of seeing so much crazy math in research articles that I can't understand

CalmLogic · 2008 February 27th, 07:53 PM

BTW, there are some very cool electives to choose from:

http://www.vrac.iastate.edu/~lswu/homepage/coursework/
Human Computer Interaction (HCI) : Courses
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~catalog/2007-2009/courses/coms.html
http://www.cs.iastate.edu/~dkkang/courses.html
Homepages for Computer Science Courses
Courses. Statistics, ISU
Graphic Design (ArtGr): Iowa State University Catalog 2007-2009
Catalog Information: Iowa State University Catalog 2007-2009

I also like the fact that one is allowed to get 9 credits towards the thesis rather than the traditional 6. So one only has to take 7 courses, 4 of which are electives. And one of the required courses, computational perception, seems very cool and gets excellent evaluations by the students who take it.

Ancalagon The Black · 2008 February 28th, 05:56 AM

Thanks a lot guys !! The interview is tomorrow, let me see whether I get it !!

CalmLogic: I did notice what you are talking about. Looks very very good plus they are guaranteeing aid to all admitted students with 2.1k stipend per month - which is a pretty rare thing. Do you think that I can aim for a top 10 for a PhD (not in CS but in Information Systems - B Schools, ISM, MIS programs?)

How would you gauge the cost of living in Iowa?

MDK:

I hate the cold but if it comes down to that, I reckon I will have to bear up with it. The only problem is, I like big cities (NYC, Boston, SF, Philly) and not small rural areas.

If I did stay in India for one more year (and apply again this semester), I would convert my Post Graduate Diploma into a full Masters degree and publish around 4-6 papers more, maybe retake the GRE, buff up the math, the usual.

The advice is great !! Really appreciate it !!

CalmLogic · 2008 February 28th, 03:52 PM

Assuming your publish excellent papers (which can be based on your thesis which can have an IS/MIS focus), I think you could get into a top 10 Information Systems PhD program, but I think that mostly depends on how brilliant the research is. UMN is now #4 in USNews for Information Systems:

http://www.csom.umn.edu/Page7445.aspx

If you look at the admission statistics on the right of that page, it seems only 2 PhD applicants were selected last year. But, more positively, there were only 6 students from the US applying. Also, since George State University is at #10, you should at least have a good shot there.

Anyway, the HCI program at Iowa State can give you an edge by alreadying aligning HCI with MIS:

Iowa State University Master of Science in Information Systems

Regarding Ames, it seems MDK's information was correct about cost of living. The cost of living is mostly at or below the average cost of living, with housing prices below average and utilities (like heating costs) above average. The cost of living is 4% higher than Dallas, 19% lower than Miami, and 120% lower than NYC:
PayScale - Cost of Living in Ames Iowa

So the cost of living is described as "affordable":
Ames, IA? (Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Huxley: relocating, homes, rent) - Iowa (IA) - City-Data Forum

For more info about Ames:
site:city-data.com ames, ia - Google Search

CalmLogic · 2008 February 28th, 03:53 PM

Regarding the stipend of $2,100, that is higher than I expected. Even though you still have to pay 50% of the residential tuition (unless you get a PACE award that covers the other 50 percent), it's really amazing they are doing this for MS students, which shows that they are really trying to attract top people.

Ancalagon The Black · 2008 February 28th, 05:22 PM

Hey, thanks so much for the info CalmLogic !!! You are simply the best source of knowledge around !!

Well, the professor whom I contacted said that the RA which they give covers the entire tuition fee (resident + non resident) plus the stipend. I agree that they are doing this to attract top students. Now the most interesting thing is this. I never even considered applying to the HCI program since I was not vying for pure computer science (which I thought HCI was)

I applied to the MIS program at Iowa State and they forwarded it to the HCI department which asked me to reconsider applying to the HCI department as application to the pure MIS program was generally for professional candidates and that I seemed like a good candidate for research. You are right in your statement that the MIS and HCI program can be (and actually is) linked together. Faculty from the MIS department actually teach at the HCI department with many faculty in my line of research.

I was very surprised and said yes !! And now this !!

CalmLogic · 2008 February 28th, 09:58 PM

BTW, I'm glad to see you are now accepted at Santa Cruz. This thread on Iowa State is now more relevant to me than to you

2008 February 26th, 06:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ancalagon The Black TestMagic Guru Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 1,146	Interview from MS in HCI - Iowa State - Please Help !! Hi, I have an interview from Iowa State in their MS in HCI program. The program guarantees full RA for all candidates and ergo, it is a good and viable option. The appropriate link: Human Computer Interaction (HCI) : MS Program My question is: 1. How much does the reputation of Iowa State count considering that (a) this is a new program, (b) a very good program and (c) I want to do my PhD in a similar line from a top 5 school later. 2. How good is the location of Iowa State and is it a low cost of living town? 3. Overall, is it worth it, considering that I do not get any more offers of admission.

2008 February 27th, 07:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
CalmLogic Retired Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,251	BTW, there are some very cool electives to choose from: http://www.vrac.iastate.edu/~lswu/homepage/coursework/ Human Computer Interaction (HCI) : Courses http://www.public.iastate.edu/~catalog/2007-2009/courses/coms.html http://www.cs.iastate.edu/~dkkang/courses.html Homepages for Computer Science Courses Courses. Statistics, ISU Graphic Design (ArtGr): Iowa State University Catalog 2007-2009 Catalog Information: Iowa State University Catalog 2007-2009 I also like the fact that one is allowed to get 9 credits towards the thesis rather than the traditional 6. So one only has to take 7 courses, 4 of which are electives. And one of the required courses, computational perception, seems very cool and gets excellent evaluations by the students who take it. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Admit Profiles, CS Internships, TopCoder, Programming Challenges Applying to Ph.D. Programs in Computer Science *GRE Computer Science Subject Test: ETS Booklet (solutions at Yahoo GRECS group), MFT, Titanium Bits, Guide, Ullman CS Book, Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Old Links more CS practice: Stanford Comps GATE CS/IT: 2009 Solutions, GATEForum, Yahoo, Freshers, Q & A, Mock Exams & Solutions, GATEMentor Last edited by CalmLogic : 2008 February 28th at 01:02 AM.*

2008 February 28th, 03:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
CalmLogic Retired Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,251	Assuming your publish excellent papers (which can be based on your thesis which can have an IS/MIS focus), I think you could get into a top 10 Information Systems PhD program, but I think that mostly depends on how brilliant the research is. UMN is now #4 in USNews for Information Systems: http://www.csom.umn.edu/Page7445.aspx If you look at the admission statistics on the right of that page, it seems only 2 PhD applicants were selected last year. But, more positively, there were only 6 students from the US applying. Also, since George State University is at #10, you should at least have a good shot there. Anyway, the HCI program at Iowa State can give you an edge by alreadying aligning HCI with MIS: Iowa State University Master of Science in Information Systems Regarding Ames, it seems MDK's information was correct about cost of living. The cost of living is mostly at or below the average cost of living, with housing prices below average and utilities (like heating costs) above average. The cost of living is 4% higher than Dallas, 19% lower than Miami, and 120% lower than NYC: PayScale - Cost of Living in Ames Iowa So the cost of living is described as "affordable": Ames, IA? (Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Huxley: relocating, homes, rent) - Iowa (IA) - City-Data Forum For more info about Ames: site:city-data.com ames, ia - Google Search _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Admit Profiles, CS Internships, TopCoder, Programming Challenges Applying to Ph.D. Programs in Computer Science *GRE Computer Science Subject Test: ETS Booklet (solutions at Yahoo GRECS group), MFT, Titanium Bits, Guide, Ullman CS Book, Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Old Links more CS practice: Stanford Comps GATE CS/IT: 2009 Solutions, GATEForum, Yahoo, Freshers, Q & A, Mock Exams & Solutions, GATEMentor Last edited by CalmLogic : 2008 February 28th at 04:46 PM.*

2008 February 28th, 03:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
CalmLogic Retired Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,251	Regarding the stipend of $2,100, that is higher than I expected. Even though you still have to pay 50% of the residential tuition (unless you get a PACE award that covers the other 50 percent), it's really amazing they are doing this for MS students, which shows that they are really trying to attract top people. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Admit Profiles, CS Internships, TopCoder, Programming Challenges Applying to Ph.D. Programs in Computer Science *GRE Computer Science Subject Test*: ETS Booklet (solutions at Yahoo GRECS group), MFT, Titanium Bits, Guide, Ullman CS Book, Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Old Links more CS practice: Stanford Comps GATE CS/IT: 2009 Solutions, GATEForum, Yahoo, Freshers, Q & A, Mock Exams & Solutions, GATEMentor

2008 February 28th, 09:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
CalmLogic Retired Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,251	BTW, I'm glad to see you are now accepted at Santa Cruz. This thread on Iowa State is now more relevant to me than to you _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Admit Profiles, CS Internships, TopCoder, Programming Challenges Applying to Ph.D. Programs in Computer Science *GRE Computer Science Subject Test: ETS Booklet (solutions at Yahoo GRECS group), MFT, Titanium Bits, Guide, Ullman CS Book, Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Old Links more CS practice: Stanford Comps GATE CS/IT: 2009 Solutions, GATEForum, Yahoo, Freshers, Q & A, Mock Exams & Solutions, GATEMentor Last edited by CalmLogic : 2008 February 28th at 11:37 PM.*

2008 February 26th, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Modeler Eager! Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 74	While I don't know about this program in particular, I seem to recall Iowa St. being solid in some subjects despite the university not having much of a national reputation in general. Also any MS that guarantees funding is . Good luck with the interview.

2008 February 28th, 05:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ancalagon The Black TestMagic Guru Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 1,146	Thanks a lot guys !! The interview is tomorrow, let me see whether I get it !! CalmLogic: I did notice what you are talking about. Looks very very good plus they are guaranteeing aid to all admitted students with 2.1k stipend per month - which is a pretty rare thing. Do you think that I can aim for a top 10 for a PhD (not in CS but in Information Systems - B Schools, ISM, MIS programs?) How would you gauge the cost of living in Iowa? MDK: I hate the cold but if it comes down to that, I reckon I will have to bear up with it. The only problem is, I like big cities (NYC, Boston, SF, Philly) and not small rural areas. If I did stay in India for one more year (and apply again this semester), I would convert my Post Graduate Diploma into a full Masters degree and publish around 4-6 papers more, maybe retake the GRE, buff up the math, the usual. The advice is great !! Really appreciate it !!

2008 February 28th, 05:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ancalagon The Black TestMagic Guru Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 1,146	Hey, thanks so much for the info CalmLogic !!! You are simply the best source of knowledge around !! Well, the professor whom I contacted said that the RA which they give covers the entire tuition fee (resident + non resident) plus the stipend. I agree that they are doing this to attract top students. Now the most interesting thing is this. I never even considered applying to the HCI program since I was not vying for pure computer science (which I thought HCI was) I applied to the MIS program at Iowa State and they forwarded it to the HCI department which asked me to reconsider applying to the HCI department as application to the pure MIS program was generally for professional candidates and that I seemed like a good candidate for research. You are right in your statement that the MIS and HCI program can be (and actually is) linked together. Faculty from the MIS department actually teach at the HCI department with many faculty in my line of research. I was very surprised and said yes !! And now this !!

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