<p>I´m torn between these two schools. Berkeley is of course number one for Civil graduate programs, but Georgia is offering me a research assistantship (tuition waived plus stipend). Tech is no slouch in the rankings; for 2009 they were #6 according to US News. Berkeley appears to have more faculty focused on my area of interest but there are at least a couple professors at Georgia that are researching what I also want to research (public transportation and urban development). Berkeley has said that I can apply for a research position but it´s not guaranteed (and their budget is in pretty bad shape this year); if I had to pay for the one year program myself, my student loan would be around $50k. What if anything would I be sacrificing by giving up my shot at #1?</p>
<p>Have you visited both? </p>
<p>Don’t be distracted by the glamour of “number one”… Made that mistake, and there <em>was</em> money offered to me… been there, done that, got the sweatshirt, would choose the other path if I had it to do over again. Berkeley may have more faculty researching what you want to research, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to do research with those faculty members.</p>
<p>Atlanta has a good transit system to study, too. Tech <em>isn’t</em> a slouch. It’s a really great school. If they’re offering you money, that’s a great deal.</p>
<p>I’d inquisition both programs. Really get them to tell you what your opportunities ARE going to be, and try to look beyond the lovely picture that they paint to try to lure you to go to their school. WHO WILL you get to study with? WHAT research opportunities WILL be available to you? How easy is it to get research opportunities? Can you walk up and study with someone? Are the professors accessible, or are they trying to sell you a $50K course menu from which you’ll take two semesters of classes, get your MS, and never even get to come within five feet of one of the Berkeley professors?</p>
<p>Be careful… They’re in the business of convincing you to go there; that’s what they do. Just make sure you’re really going to get what you pay for if you’re considering paying for it.</p>
<p>civil is such a big program. being #1 overall doesn’t mean they are #1 in all subcategories. you should ask around for their transportation reputation.
right now seems like GATech is a better fit. you got the money AND you got the professors doing what you want to do. i think that’s enough for me to decide where to go
Berkeley said the same thing too last year when i went to their open house where they said while it’s possible, it’s hard to get TAship. and seems like you are out of state too so the tuition is not a small number</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone. As I was typing out my question it started seeming more and more obvious how great a deal Tech is offering. I´ve been in contact with one of the professors there about possible research and I´ll inquire about some of the things you two mentioned. From what I can tell, having research experience is more important than a 3 or 4 spot difference in ranking. Thanks again!</p>