larsoman

Thank you two for you comments: oldprogrammer and CalmLogic; its much appreciated! OK, the european School is ... . Of course the "ultimate goal" would be to stay in academia...

hello, its me again; thanks for all your comments. unfortunately I'm still indecisive and there's only one week left to decide :-( So, does anybody have some additional factors which I might consider? Thanks for your help :-)

@CalmLogin: well, I still have a nice lenovo subnotebook, so I'm not sure if I would rather "cash" the laptop (you can "trade the free laptop" for something like 1500 USD) @Ancalagon The Black: CMU offered me something like 25 000 USD of funding for the first three years (only second and third they require some "light" TA duties), afterwards one shall look for RA/TA ships. Of course, they waive the tuition. Do you think that is OK? So what is your Opinion CalmLogic - regarding CMU vs. GaTech and "Big Names"?

thanks "oldprogrammer" for your comment. My interests are mainly in the ACO area, that is true. But - as I mentioned in my application - my "favorite" faculty is actually in the math department. So my interests are essentially a bit closer to the math-part of the ACO-program. To be honest, in my application writing I made a mistake and could not apply via the math department (the math department said "subject GRE in the applicants field" and I did the computer science GRE, but in the end they really wanted to have the math subject GRE, so I applied to ACO via the computer science department and the tepper school; tepper accepted me, computer science rejected me (but they did not accept anybody to that program for years) That's why I applied via Tepper. But as far as I understand the program that essentially should make no difference? (you are allowed to work with all the faculty involved) Or are you concerned regarding TA positions?

Thanks for your comment "Ancalagon The Black"! As far as I understand the regulations the ACO-program awards it's own PHD title, i.e. a Ph.D. in "Algorithms, Combinatorics and Optimization". (But I'll investigate on that, thanks for the remark/pointer) Currently my goal is to actually stay in academia, but I think you have a point: if I leave and go to industry, I can always say that I was at a business school, which might "look good". (For academia I thought the reputation of my advisor and my own papers are most important)

thanks for your feedback. Well, look, in the aco-program faculty members from several departments participate (cf. ACO Program Home Page) and hence I am not limited to my "own" department. (Hence this usual restriction does not exist in this case/there programs) Do you still think that "just the name" of your home department - as opposed to the program you are in - counts so much?

I'm admitted to the ACO Program (Algorithms, Combinatorics and Optimization) of CMU and GaTech [the web-pages: ACO Program Home Page and Ph.D. Program in Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization] Those programs are essentially a nice mix between computer science, mathematics and operations research. I'd like to get you feedback concerning GaTech vs. CMU The thing is, at CMU I was rejected via the Computer Science Department, but accepted via the Tepper School of Business (CMU), essentially the Operations Research group. [web-pages: Home : Tepper School of Business resp. Operations Research (Tepper)] The faculty I want to work with is mainly located at the math/computer science department. [i explicitly mentioned that in my application and in the ACO program I can indeed potentially work with all the faculty involved, including math and computer science] Do you think I'm dazzled/fooled by just looking at CMU as a great place for CS? (My preference is somehow for CMU) On the other hand GaTech is ranked quite well in all three aspects of the ACO program, but much of their faculty mentioned on the web-page has in reality already left :-( What do you guys think, what should I do? Thanks a lot!!!!! Lars

Hello guys, my "problem" is as follows: I'm admitted to the ACO Program (Algorithms, Combinatorics and Optimization) of CMU (via Tepper Business School) and Georgia Tech (via Computer Science). In a nutshell, it's a mixture between computer science, mathematics and operations research. [the web-pages: ACO Program Home Page and Ph.D. Program in Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization] Moreover, I'm admitted for PhD-Program at a good University in Europe. There are 3 aspects I would like to discuss with you: 1) I have to decide between first taking courses, then doing research or immediately doing research. [at CMU/GaTech I might have a larger freedom concerning the topics, whereas in Europe I would be quite narrowed] 2) "Big Names" When it comes to graduation and say, for some reason I have to leave academia (I would like to stay). The university form Europe is very well known in Europe and is very high in world-wide rankings, whereas CMU/GaTech are not so well known here in Europe. Then a "title" from the university might be "worth more" concerning my job applications (for, say consulting). What do you think? 3) CMU vs. GaTech From the Computer Science perspective CMU seems far better and actually a lot of the faculty that is mentioned on the Georgia Tech web-pages has already left them!!! BUT, at CMU I'm admitted for the ACO program via the Operations Research group located at the Tepper School of Business (CMU): Home : Tepper School of Business resp. Operations Research (Tepper) (I was actually rejected via the Computer Science Department, but they haven't admitted ACO people for several years...) As far as I understand I (potentially) could work together with all the faculty of the program (including math and computer science). [i even explicitly mentioned in my application that I want to work with people form the math department.] Do you think I'm dazzled/fooled by just looking at CMU as a great place for CS? (My preference is somehow for CMU) I would be very grateful for your feedback and comments!! Best Regards Lars