How to Choose CS Masters? | Georgia Tech vs UPenn? Job Outcomes? Tuition?

Summary

In this video, Sujin shares her journey of choosing a master’s program in computer science in the U.S., highlighting her experience as an international student without a traditional CS background. She compares programs like UPENN MCIT and Georgia Tech MSCS, discussing factors such as visa eligibility, ROI, job outcomes, tuition, curriculum, and personal goals. Sujin emphasizes the importance of researching alumni experiences, weighing trade-offs, and considering deferral options to gain work experience. Ultimately, she chose UPENN MCIT for its strong foundational coursework and flexibility, offering practical advice to help prospective students make informed decisions for their education and career paths.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Sujin chose to pursue a master's program in the United States, specifically the MCIT program at UPenn, due to its suitability for students without a CS undergraduate degree.
• 🌍 Being an international student, visa considerations played a crucial role in selecting an on-campus program rather than an online option.
• 💼 ROI and job outcomes were important factors; Sujin researched employment reports and alumni outcomes for both UPenn and Georgia Tech.
• 📊 According to reports, both UPenn MCIT and Georgia Tech MSCS programs have strong career prospects, with median salaries around $125K and significant signing bonuses.
• 💰 Tuition costs significantly influenced decisions: UPenn on-campus tuition was over $100K, while Georgia Tech's program was cheaper, and online options were even more affordable.
• 📚 Curriculum and course structure mattered: UPenn MCIT offered foundational courses for non-CS students, while Georgia Tech expected prior CS knowledge.
• 🏙️ Location and city considerations, like Atlanta's Korean community for Georgia Tech or Philadelphia's proximity to New York for UPenn, were secondary factors.
• ⏳ Timing and work experience influenced decisions: Sujin valued gaining full-time work experience as a product manager before starting a master's.
• 📧 Sujin reached out to alumni from both programs to gain honest insights about the curriculum, workload, and overall experience.
• ✅ Flexibility in deferral at UPenn allowed Sujin to gain work experience while securing a spot in the program, which was a key deciding factor.
• 🤔 Choosing a master's program involves trade-offs in cost, curriculum, career outcomes, and personal goals, and careful research is essential to make an informed decision.
• 💡 Persistence and proactive outreach, including cold-emailing alumni, can provide valuable insights not available through official school resources.

Q & A

Why did Sujin choose to pursue a master's program in the United States?

Sujin chose to pursue a master's program in the U.S. because she wanted to obtain a work visa (OPT) that would allow her to work in the U.S. after graduation. As an international student from South Korea, pursuing a master's degree in another country like Europe or Asia wouldn’t solve her visa issues.

What was Sujin’s undergraduate background and how did it affect her graduate school search?

Sujin graduated from NYU Abu Dhabi with a degree in Interactive Media, which combines creative technology, design, and coding. This was not a strict computer science background, which was important as she had to focus on schools that accepted students without a CS undergraduate degree.

Why did Sujin consider online master's programs, and why did she ultimately choose an on-campus program?

Sujin initially considered online master's programs because they were cheaper and flexible. However, she ruled them out because international students do not receive a work visa for online programs. She needed an on-campus program to gain the necessary visa to work in the U.S. after graduation.

What were the key factors Sujin considered when comparing graduate programs?

The key factors Sujin considered were ROI and job outcomes, tuition costs, curriculum, and the flexibility of deferral. She looked at potential salaries, alumni success, cost-efficiency, program structure, and her own personal career goals.

How did Sujin evaluate the job outcomes of the programs she was considering?

Sujin researched official reports from each school, like post-graduation employment rates and salaries. She also reached out to alumni via LinkedIn and cold emails to get real-life perspectives. Both UPAN and Georgia Tech had strong job outcomes with median salaries around $125K, but she took extra steps to verify the numbers through alumni experiences.

What was the tuition difference between UPAN’s on-campus and online programs?

UPAN’s on-campus tuition was significantly higher, with the first year costing around $23K and the second year around $42K, totaling over $100K. On the other hand, the online program was much cheaper, costing about $22K for the first year and $15K for the second year, totaling around $37K.

How did Georgia Tech’s tuition compare to UPAN’s?

Georgia Tech’s tuition was notably cheaper than UPAN’s on-campus program, ranging from $50K to $80K, depending on residency status. The online program at Georgia Tech was even more affordable, at around $7K to $8K for the entire degree.

What are the benefits of Georgia Tech’s teaching assistant (TA) or research assistant (RA) roles for students?

At Georgia Tech, students can take on TA or RA roles starting from their second semester. These positions help reduce tuition costs significantly, as the university waives tuition fees for students who take on these roles, providing a cost-saving advantage.

Why was the curriculum at UPAN appealing to Sujin?

UPAN’s MCIT program was appealing because it was designed specifically for students without a strong CS background. The first year focuses on foundational courses, allowing students like Sujin to build a solid understanding of computer science before choosing a concentration in the second year.

What role did Sujin’s full-time job offer as a Product Manager play in her decision-making process?

Sujin had received a full-time job offer as a Product Manager in Dubai, which she viewed as valuable experience before pursuing a master's degree. She wanted to gain both soft and hard skills in a professional setting before starting grad school. This led her to consider deferring her graduate school acceptance, which UPAN allowed for up to two years.