Florian1980

Hey, I'd just like to say in defense of UCSD that everyone I spoke to in the CS dept was really nice and helpful and the admission committee chairman (a professor) responded personally to all my e-mails within a few hours. Also, when I called the graduate admissions advisor last year, she answered all my questions in detail (and btw I reached her at first attempt). When I informed them about my decision to decline their admissions offer, they even wrote back and asked me which school I would attend instead. I don't know anything about the ECE dept., maybe they don't treat their applicants well. But I can't complain about the CSE dept.

Hi gforce, congratulations! You've been admitted to great schools. Have you asked Purdue and the other schools for an extension past 4/15 ? If I were you, I'd go either to Purdue or GaTech (or UCSD, if admitted). Both are top schools and both are very very selective (whereas Columbia is not that selective for MS). If you've been offered aid only by Purdue, I would go there. I wouldn't go to CMU but that's just my personal opinion (I don't think that degree would be very helpful if you choose to continue for a PhD later). Plus I think a tuition waiver + TAship makes life a lot easier :) Florian

Sweden is a great country, too. It would be a little too cold for me, though :) I can assure you that 99% of all educated people here (including doctors) understand English and most of them can speak it, too. Yes. Not many German students go to the US because there are enough good jobs in germany and universities here have a good reputation (I personally think that on average you get a better education at US universities, but regarding research German unis are pretty good).

No, University of Chicago and University of Pennsylvania are also private unis :)

Well, most people in Germany understand English. But if you consider going to Germany, you should be willing to learn the language. I really wonder, btw, why everybody seems to see this as a disadvantage. Isn't it great to learn a foreign language? I don't know anything about it. But I know the city of Bonn, and the university. As far as I know it's quite a good university. But I checked out the mpi's website. If I'm not mistaken, this degree you are talking about is like a master's (or Diplom, which is the German equivalent to MS) in physics+astronomy. Only afterwards you could pursue PhD studies in radio-astronomy at the MPI. I'm in Germany now; will move to the US in the summer. But I'm studying CS at another university. I don't know anybody enrolled in the program, nor can say anything about it's quality. Sorry. But the city of Bonn is really nice :) Bye, Florian Edit: If you have an offer from a decent US university with funding, I think you should go to the US (that's my personal opinion). If you haven't been offered financial aid then you might consider Germany since you don't have to pay tuition there.

I don't know anything specific about that institute. But that degree you are talking about (that you will need to do PhD) is not earned at the MPI itself but at a university which is cooperating with the MPI, correct?

Hey, The Max Planck society (I think you misspelled it) is very well-known; it consists of several (about 80) research institutes. But it's not really a university, as far as I know. I didn't know you could get an MS degree from them... Are you sure about that? Which institute exactly are you talking about? A degree from Germany is quite good, I guess, and will be equivalent to a US degree regarding jobs etc. And if you like it's pretty easy to stay in Germany after your degree. bye, Florian

You really seem to be on dope :) Cube got admitted to UC, Irvine and the University of Virginia -- not VA Tech, which by the way is certainly not an Ivy League university (neither is UVA).

Hey, I understand how you feel. I was in the same situation some years ago when I applied to college (undergrad.) in the US. I got accepted by an excellent university but without aid. At that time I didn't have a green card, and so I searched in vain for a scholarship program in the US that would consider international students. Actually, I'm pretty sure there are NO such scholarships in the US. So eventually I had to decline the admission offer... I think that as a graduate student, once you are in the US you will surely find a way to earn money. But to be able to begin your studies there, you must have some money. If e-mailing the profs really doesn't help (try it again and again), you should consider a loan. Do you maybe know someone in the U.S. that would co-sign for you? Well, you have to keep in mind most of these people applied to PhD programs, not MS programs. Most universities generally don't offer (guaranteed) financial aid to MS students. Some do, but it's rather the exception. I wish you all the best. Good luck, Florian

Depends on the university... Normally you are automatically considered for assistantships, but a few schools have separate application forms for that. You should find such information on the schools' websites.

I received my UNC-CH admission email on a Sunday evening :)

Actually, I couldn't care less... Sorry :) I don't really like Charles; Camilla I don't really know; all I know about her is that much fun has been made about her looks. I found even the Pope's funeral much more interesting than this wedding, although I'm not religious. IMO the monarchy should be abolished once and for all.

Hey, you should call UNC and tell them you need to make a decision now. The department is well funded and they are quite generous with aid. If you're admitted you might get full financial aid. You shouldn't waste that chance.

Meanie ;) But seriously, Utah is one of the most conservative states with lots of religious fundamentalists. Isn't it one of those states where evolution theory must not be taught at school? Anyway, this is not a political forum, so to get back to the original question: Utah is certainly a good school, but UNC is ranked significantly better by USNews. But what do the others think? How do the schools compare?

First of all, congratulations :) I think your decision is good :) I mean, who really wants to live in Utah???

Yep algebra is cool, but i haven't heard of him either... ;)

e-mail Online status is still unchanged...

I'm going to UNC; they offered me full aid. I would have considered MSU, too, if they had offered me aid :) My profile is: GRE: 1450-4.0, TOEFL: 290-5.5, TSE: 55, Subject Test CS: 760, no publications, GPA so-so... I got a number of interests, I guess AI/robotics is my main interest, but I also like operating systems, graphics, theory. MSU is a rather large school, many undergrad. classes are taught by TAs, so I'm pretty sure you will find an assistantship once you're there. You probably have to pay tuition for your first semester, though.

I think MSU is a pretty good school for CS, definitely better than the ranking suggests. What are your interests? I know MSU is really good for AI and robotics. Also, the campus is pretty and the social life is said to be good. But it's cold in Michigan ;) Btw, I was also admitted to MSU without aid (but won't go there). I don't know about the chances of getting aid there...

Cool :) :) Can u actually access ApplicantCentral ? I got my PID but it always says "server down".

Hey guys! I made my decision today. I will go to UNC - Chapel Hill! Will send them an e-mail tomorrow... (Program: MS in CS, with assistantship.) Is there any other TMian going to UNC ?? Bye! Florian

[Erin please delete this]

Well I would also consider the setting and social life... Many people would probably prefer to live in NYC. However, I would rather go to Chapel Hill, since it's the "quintessential college town"; probably half of the people who live there are students. Plus I've heard a lot of positive things about the city while gathering information about UNC-CH.

Gives you nothing? I think teaching experience and communication skills are as valuable as research experience, both for your personal development (confidence etc.) and for your career (esp. if you want to pursue an academic career).

Got rejected by Maryland... The online status says "Not recommended for admission". They didn't send me an e-mail. But I don't really care :)