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CalmLogic · 04-02-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Purdue offers a good chance of getting aid.. any idea what the chances at Stanford would be?

Hopefully, others will post what they think, but I would guess Purdue would be significantly better regarding stipend positions since it is a public state university.

MDK · 04-02-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

I would guess Purdue would be significantly better regarding stipend positions since it is a public state university.

I second CalmLogic, Still I would go to Stanford. I have heard of an Indian who got funding in the second semester. Although this is not the typical scenario, but it gives an indication of the possibility of funding MS Students.

Oh, and by the way, I meant it's the most selective when it comes to acceptance rate.

CalmLogic · 04-02-2008, 08:00 PM

Regarding funding at Purdue (not specific to CS), it seems like just a matter of time:

Quote:

usually people get aid after first semester and definitely after the first year.

http://www.urch.com/forums/computer-...tml#post568645 (Purdue University - MS in Technology (CIT))

Quote:

Am from EE. But from mails to the guys at Purdue, I have seen that most of the guys land up with some funding or other. Also, the place as such is a cheap one. Only the fees are quite high. My only worry is that I have seen quite a few admits from Purdue this yr. Abt 8 from my coll for VLSI only. so dont know how the status would be this year.

Edulix

However, like I said, even though I am cheap, I would probably still go to Stanford, as MDK recommends. We are envious

Also, I haven't found anyone else discussing Purdue vs. Stanford on other forums, so it may be a no-brainer if you can get the tuition loan.

BTW, Stanford is so good I bought the course reader (a draft of an upcoming textbook) that is required for the following course:

CS 228: Structured Probabilistic Models: Principles and Techniques

So I try to get as close to Stanford as possible, even though I won't be admitted and can't afford to take their distance learning courses, which include online CS courses. (They do offer free online seminars.)

handsome_94 · 04-03-2008, 08:24 AM

Cornell I hope it's not a one year program. Freshers won't learn anything in that one year. Even working professionals learn a little. Though they get a 20k increase after going through that.

If you are a fresher go for a 2 yr. course and do interns in b/w. That way you'll learn how to implement the theory in practical life.
You'll get a job in microsoft definately after going through that place.

Stanford - It's simply great. Though a bit expensive, I think it would be worth the money as you get the best of both - brand and education.

Purdue - It's cheap. But cornell is cornell and stanford is stanford.

nellie22 · 04-04-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

BTW, Stanford is so good I bought the course reader (a draft of an upcoming textbook) that is required for the following course:

CS 228: Structured Probabilistic Models: Principles and Techniques

So I try to get as close to Stanford as possible, even though I won't be admitted and can't afford to take their distance learning courses, which include online CS courses. (They do offer free online seminars.)

CalmLogic, that certainly got me thinking that its more than a bundle of money for a brand, there's quality of education that got the reputation so high to begin with.. thanks for your measured responses

feyvazi · 04-04-2008, 11:29 PM

Go for Stanford. Don't worry about the fees. You will earn a lot of money after graduation for sure.

Participant · 04-18-2008, 12:03 PM

First of all, congratulations nellie22 for this great success. I wish you all the best.

Will you mind to share with us your academic profile?

Regards

CalmLogic · 04-18-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Participant

Will you mind to share with us your academic profile?

Yes, inquiring minds want to know

moomber123 · 04-22-2008, 08:13 AM

As I commented on other threads, please reconsider any "reputation" reason for placing Stanford on top. And this perhaps also apply for Cornell. Within the industry, especially in Silicon Valley, it is a well known fact that "course-based" master's program is 1.) easy to get into 2.) mostly company sponsor, so there is no cost issue, and 3.) not good in quality compared to thesis-based program. People show up for classes, and sometimes even have the luxury of attending classes at their company sites, and then a few years later, a master's from Stanford. Experience has shown that such programs actually do very little in career advancement. Sure, you get the pay increase, but I'd think a career is more about that 20K increment. It should be more about development into a leadership position, about being in place where you can freely apply your talents, not just slaves to follow orders. What matters, if it's not obvious enough, is what you actually learn. Course-based programs just don't prepare you as well.

It is also a well known fact that course-based master's programs at top schools are their cash cows to support their PhD students. The incentive is so strong that even Carnegie Mellon decided to open up a campus in Silicon Valley (Carnegie Mellon West) and offer master's degree with the promise of the exact same diploma. They of course do not want to compromise their "orthodox" program's reputation, so they will name the cash-cow programs slightly differently. So instead of MS in CS, you get "Master in Software Engineering." Notice the lack of a MS designation. Well, a few of my friends went, and two years later, still working as intern. US News ranking would NEVER capture that. If all you have is to choose from is course-based programs, ok, then go for the famous one. It's what you pay for anyway. But if there is a solid, research-track program among the choices, you need to think very hard about what you truly want. If all you care about is a degree and the reputation, and you are most likely going to jump onto the MBA track later on to make more money, ok, stick with reputation. But if you want to learn some technical stuffs, and possibly go for a PhD, then think hard about it.

This, by no means, is a put down on Stanford, or CMU on their CS departments. In fact, I would think these are one of the best CS departments in the world. But they know their reputation, and they will use it to generate cash for their purposes. Any ranking is likely a reflection of their research track programs only, and course-based students are likely to be given far less resources. In fact, if you look closely at the Stanford website, you'll find discussion about transfer between course-based and thesis based MS. If these two programs were viewed as equal, it should have been a trivial matter of just declaring a chance of intention to pursue a thesis based program. But in fact, it is rather difficult to do so.

Purdue, as good as it is for CS, is not in the same tier as Stanford or Cornell. Usually, what is considered top tier in CS are: Berkeley, Stanford, MIT, CMU, Cornell, UT Austin, University of Washington, and Wisconsin Madison. Purdue would come right after those. But if you are in Purdue for its thesis track program, and Stanford/Cornell for the course based program, you have some hard thinking to do. By the way, Purdue is located in the middle of nowhere. Your life is likely to be very boring there. That is, if you have time for any fun.

nellie22 · 04-22-2008, 05:52 PM

moomember123, thanx for the fresh perspective!
well, to begin with i think it's perfectly right that all the oomph that goes with the university name shouldn't be a part of the decision-making process - except with regard to the impression it makes on a potential employer. I am not sure if silicon valley''s idea of the MSCS is high or not .. so i cannot comment on that part.

My ordering on the factors to consider would be -
1. the fit of course reqrmnts
2. employment prospects
3. uni atmosphere
4. cost
5. reputation

The quietnss of the west lafayette does not bother me, i love the idea of the isolated college town, have a feeling it would suit me to a 'T'. But it seems to me that the vibrancy of the entreprenuerial stan environment eclipses that..the potential to take grad classes in other departments is a big draw too.
Hmm, about the MS thesis option..the website says that any MSCS student can choose to do a 'distinction in research' .. as long as they can find an advisor.. and can then complete an independent research course. Maybe the advisor-finding part is going to be quite tough, but that sounds like a great option if an MS student decided to go on the researcher track.

About the money-making, the tuition for both purdue and stanford is nearly the same ..the major difference is in the cost of living of indiana vs. california. Of course, as discussed earlier, RA's and TA's are easier to come by in purdue though.

Well, so when the chips are down, a great education is possible at both places with p'haps stanford tipping the scales with its employment prospects and reputation-factor.

I am not being defensive

both are dream universities for me ... this was just meant to be a rebuttal .. feel free to chime in with any ideas.

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04-03-2008, 08:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
handsome_94 Eager! Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 45	Cornell I hope it's not a one year program. Freshers won't learn anything in that one year. Even working professionals learn a little. Though they get a 20k increase after going through that. If you are a fresher go for a 2 yr. course and do interns in b/w. That way you'll learn how to implement the theory in practical life. You'll get a job in microsoft definately after going through that place. Stanford - It's simply great. Though a bit expensive, I think it would be worth the money as you get the best of both - brand and education. Purdue - It's cheap. But cornell is cornell and stanford is stanford.

04-04-2008, 11:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
feyvazi Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 15	Go for Stanford. Don't worry about the fees. You will earn a lot of money after graduation for sure.

04-18-2008, 12:03 PM	#17 (permalink)
Participant Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3	First of all, congratulations nellie22 for this great success. I wish you all the best. Will you mind to share with us your academic profile? Regards

04-22-2008, 08:13 AM	#19 (permalink)
moomber123 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 25	As I commented on other threads, please reconsider any "reputation" reason for placing Stanford on top. And this perhaps also apply for Cornell. Within the industry, especially in Silicon Valley, it is a well known fact that "course-based" master's program is 1.) easy to get into 2.) mostly company sponsor, so there is no cost issue, and 3.) not good in quality compared to thesis-based program. People show up for classes, and sometimes even have the luxury of attending classes at their company sites, and then a few years later, a master's from Stanford. Experience has shown that such programs actually do very little in career advancement. Sure, you get the pay increase, but I'd think a career is more about that 20K increment. It should be more about development into a leadership position, about being in place where you can freely apply your talents, not just slaves to follow orders. What matters, if it's not obvious enough, is what you actually learn. Course-based programs just don't prepare you as well. It is also a well known fact that course-based master's programs at top schools are their cash cows to support their PhD students. The incentive is so strong that even Carnegie Mellon decided to open up a campus in Silicon Valley (Carnegie Mellon West) and offer master's degree with the promise of the exact same diploma. They of course do not want to compromise their "orthodox" program's reputation, so they will name the cash-cow programs slightly differently. So instead of MS in CS, you get "Master in Software Engineering." Notice the lack of a MS designation. Well, a few of my friends went, and two years later, still working as intern. US News ranking would NEVER capture that. If all you have is to choose from is course-based programs, ok, then go for the famous one. It's what you pay for anyway. But if there is a solid, research-track program among the choices, you need to think very hard about what you truly want. If all you care about is a degree and the reputation, and you are most likely going to jump onto the MBA track later on to make more money, ok, stick with reputation. But if you want to learn some technical stuffs, and possibly go for a PhD, then think hard about it. This, by no means, is a put down on Stanford, or CMU on their CS departments. In fact, I would think these are one of the best CS departments in the world. But they know their reputation, and they will use it to generate cash for their purposes. Any ranking is likely a reflection of their research track programs only, and course-based students are likely to be given far less resources. In fact, if you look closely at the Stanford website, you'll find discussion about transfer between course-based and thesis based MS. If these two programs were viewed as equal, it should have been a trivial matter of just declaring a chance of intention to pursue a thesis based program. But in fact, it is rather difficult to do so. Purdue, as good as it is for CS, is not in the same tier as Stanford or Cornell. Usually, what is considered top tier in CS are: Berkeley, Stanford, MIT, CMU, Cornell, UT Austin, University of Washington, and Wisconsin Madison. Purdue would come right after those. But if you are in Purdue for its thesis track program, and Stanford/Cornell for the course based program, you have some hard thinking to do. By the way, Purdue is located in the middle of nowhere. Your life is likely to be very boring there. That is, if you have time for any fun.

04-22-2008, 05:52 PM	#20 (permalink)
nellie22 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 11	moomember123, thanx for the fresh perspective! well, to begin with i think it's perfectly right that all the oomph that goes with the university name shouldn't be a part of the decision-making process - except with regard to the impression it makes on a potential employer. I am not sure if silicon valley''s idea of the MSCS is high or not .. so i cannot comment on that part. My ordering on the factors to consider would be - 1. the fit of course reqrmnts 2. employment prospects 3. uni atmosphere 4. cost 5. reputation The quietnss of the west lafayette does not bother me, i love the idea of the isolated college town, have a feeling it would suit me to a 'T'. But it seems to me that the vibrancy of the entreprenuerial stan environment eclipses that..the potential to take grad classes in other departments is a big draw too. Hmm, about the MS thesis option..the website says that any MSCS student can choose to do a 'distinction in research' .. as long as they can find an advisor.. and can then complete an independent research course. Maybe the advisor-finding part is going to be quite tough, but that sounds like a great option if an MS student decided to go on the researcher track. About the money-making, the tuition for both purdue and stanford is nearly the same ..the major difference is in the cost of living of indiana vs. california. Of course, as discussed earlier, RA's and TA's are easier to come by in purdue though. Well, so when the chips are down, a great education is possible at both places with p'haps stanford tipping the scales with its employment prospects and reputation-factor. I am not being defensive both are dream universities for me ... this was just meant to be a rebuttal .. feel free to chime in with any ideas.

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