Please evaluvate my university list for fall 2009

[nirosilva]

Thanks CalmLogic,

Ok, I'll run a check on GA Tech. But, why did you say that Stanford is a better move than NCSU? I'm a little lost in figuring that one out. The reason I strongly considered NCSU is 1) Because it's a decent program (rank 45-50 I guess, so will have a good chance of getting in) 2) Has good financial support and above all 3) It's near Duke.

And No, coming from a moderate family in Sri Lanka, there's no way the we'll be able to pay $50K per year, not even if we liquidated all our worldly assets.

Once again, do you think Worcester and Northeastern are good choices? I was initially thinking about putting MIT into my list (that's why those two made it to the list). But since I've given up that idea, guess I can replace these two with some other good, "viable" programs. (Not to mention the rumors I've heard about harsh winters in these areas). So can you suggest two from another state, that is not too distant from each other (hopefully a mild climate).

And finally, I've heard that the acceptance rate in Yale is among the lowest of all. Is this true and if so, should I drop it from the list??

CalmLogic, your help in assembling this list is much appreciated. Thank you once again and i wish your kindness pays you off in all your future aspirations. Keep up the good work

Cheers

[CalmLogic]

What do you want to do with your PhD? What does she want to do with her PhD? My point about Stanford vs. NCSU was just that if you want to work in academia, reputation is a huge factor, so delaying admission by another year or going into an MS program may be better than selling oneself short.

I don't know about Worcester. I never heard of it.
Regarding Northeastern, I guess it's a good choice since it is mentioned with some regularity but usually in the context of a safer school choice.

Regarding Yale, you should call them up for admissions statistics. For the MS program, their admission rate was about 50 percent:

http://www.urch.com/forums/computer-...t573280-2.html (decision between: Cornell, Duke, Columbia, Yale, USC)

BTW, another post about the two-body problem:
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...lfriend-3.html (Princeton, Yale VS. NYU together with girlfriend)

[MDK]

Why don't you consider GMU as a safe choice? I think you and your GF would definitely make it in there. And for California I would vote for USC, however there is no aid scene there.

[nirosilva]

Thanks so much CalmLogic,

I will refine the list furthermore and put up again for more comments.

[nirosilva]

Guys (Those who know the US university map by heart),

Can anyone please list some safe schools around Stanford with good financial support?

And MDK, I'll do a little search on GMU as well. Thanks for the tip.

[CalmLogic]

Regarding schools near Stanford that offer aid to PhD students, UC Santa Cruz may be about an hour drive away from what I quickly could see at Google Maps. However, UCSC is not rated in USNews and they don't always offer aid to Phd admits.

Regarding Stanford itself, I just learned today that the Stanford MSCS does not have a traditional thesis option. So it seems less attractive as a stepping stone for PhD admissions.

[nirosilva]

Guys, Any ideas about Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA? Anyone from there? (Strange that CalmLogic hasn't heard about it). I thought it to be a safe school in my potential university list (I found it to be rank 104, according to a much outdated survey). Wonder if I should drop it from the list and if so Northeastern as well, and then add two other universities from someplace else. Your thoughts???

[nirosilva]

Guys,

I'm thinking about dropping Worcester and Northeastern and adding University of Chicago and Northwestern. I found out that these two universities are in close proximity and are in the 20-50 ranking. Given my and my GF's profiles, are these viable schools? Any thoughts???

Please guys, I really need to finalize the university list so that I and my GF can focus on the specific research areas based on the departments we choose.

Any help is much appreciated.

[CalmLogic]

Originally Posted by nirosilva

Please guys, I really need to finalize the university list so that I and my GF can focus on the specific research areas based on the departments we choose.

Are you saying you are basing your research interests on the schools you choose?

In any case, in order to prevent your GF from feeling resentment later on, I would suggest that she choose all of her top 5 to 10 schools first and then later see where the commonalities lie with your choices. If she has already done this, then please mention what her top choices are.

[MDK]

I'm thinking about dropping Worcester and Northeastern and adding University of Chicago and Northwestern

UChicago is too expensive, and the ROI isn't as good as other schools (USC for example). Besides, Northeastern is almost a safe choice for both of you, which is not the case when you switch it with Northwestern.

Please guys, I really need to finalize the university list so that I and my GF can focus on the specific research areas based on the departments we choose.

Why the hurry? take your time dude and amend the list again and again. You'll discover new aspects to consider every moment. Believe me, I wish I can change my list now, I would have turned it upside down.