Cornell MEng in Comp Sc

Graduate School
1

<p>I would like an opinion of seniors who have done the M.Eng in Comp Sc course at Cornell (or know about it) on the following. I have a tough call to make between Columbia and Cornell, so any help will be highly appreciated.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I have about 7.5yrs work ex (in Testing and Automation and then my own start-up in similar but managerial role). I gather that basic coding skills in Java are necessary to be able to do the assignments along with concepts on algorithms, database systems, etc. Will the curriculum be unmanageably tough for someone who is not too familiar with Java? Is there scope to catch up once in the program or is it a must have skill at the time of joining?</p></li>
<li><p>How are the placements for international students after the MEng? Considering there is no scope for an internship, is it a disadvantage in any way? Any idea about the average salary?</p></li>
<li><p>How soon do we have to decide on our specialisation? Do we get a chance to change it a few months into the program?</p></li>
<li><p>Are there any part time on/off campus jobs available? More importantly, will the schedule allow time for a part time job?</p></li>
</ol>

2

<p>I did an M Eng. at Cornell eons ago, and not in comp sci either , so it’s possible nothing I’m about to say is currently relevant. Take this for what it’s worth.
IIRC I took four courses a semester, one of which was a year-long design project.
To me, courses are courses, but the design project is key. If you can come up with a great idea for a design project, that will really make your program. I suggest talking them beforehand to get an idea of the types of projects other people have done, and then craft your own, before you get there. Otherwise, the profs will suggest stuff they want done for their labs & stuff , and you can pick one of those. But potentially it could be more valuable to you if you have your own idea.</p>

<p>At the time I did my masters, students were supposed to know what subfield they were going into. It’s only a year program, there isn’t time to explore a lot of different areas and change your mind. It’s not like you are a first semester undergrad. So not sure what you mean there.</p>

<p>One advantage of the M.Eng, is that you have access to the engineering college’s careeer center. I had a lot of on-campus interviews and a few job offers. But I don’t know what the scene is like for internationals, now.</p>

<p>My understanding is Cornell’s CS department is considered very strong.</p>

<p>They may be able to rustle you some kind of part-ime job at the engineering college, given your prior background, but you’d have to ask them about that. I was able to get a job in a lab the summer before I started my M.Eng. But you should not plan on overextending yourself, it’s only a year. I didn’t have, or want, a job during the year.</p>

<p>Columbia in general seems very tied in to wall street employment, perhaps the same holds for their CS. A relative got an offer at Google from there (not in CS), so they come at least. But in general I would have thought that Cornell is more highly recruited for CS, but this may not be correct. Most MS programs require a thesis, not a design project. which is a major difference. Also they are usually two years, not one year. But I have no idea what this program at Columbia is like.</p>

<p>If Java is a concern sugggest take a course in it someplace, so you know it better before you get there.</p>

3

<p>Thank you. The info was very helpful. I am planning to brushing up on my Java skills prior to start of the program. I am a bit nervous about how hectic or tough the course is going to be but I am sure with a little hard work, it will be achievable. My main concern is placements for international students. But as far as I have heard, Cornell is a hot spot for recruitment in CS so it should not be too much of an issue. </p>

4

<p>To anyone who is familiar with the MEng in CS course at Cornell, I have a query regarding the curriculum - </p>

<p>The prerequisites for M.Eng in CS page (<a href=“Prerequisites | Department of Computer Science”>Prerequisites | Department of Computer Science) web page mentions some concepts of embedded systems as necessary. Since I have a background in Computer Science and not electronics/electrical engineering and worked in software industry, I have no familiarisation with embedded systems. Is this necessary for all M.Eng CS applicants, considering I want to specialise in Security or Software Systems?</p>

5

<p>You should talk to someone associated with the program at Cornell about this, IMO.
I had to take a course that was outside my particular intended area,when I attended .Due to deficiency in my engineering background. I took it the summer before I started (while I was working in that lab). I didn’t have to do it that way, I could have taken it during the year, I imagine.</p>

6

<p>Actually, I have emailed them (about a week ago) but I am yet to get a response. Also, how is Cornell for specialising in Security? I know it is excellent in Systems and Programming Languages. Some websites say Columbia is better for Security. Any thoughts or info?</p>

7

<p>Suggest try calling.
I have no idea about Security.</p>

8

<p>Cornell website lists a lot of options for on-campus housing. But does anyone have an idea which location would be ideal for someone who will be joining the Computer Science (Engineering) department? The campus is quite spread out so off campus housing near bus stops could be better and closer to where classes will be held. Requesting people who have any info on this to share.</p>

9

<p>If the Comp Sci courses are held on the engineering quad, I suggest Collegetown.
Basically anyplace in Collegetown.
From there, bus schmuss, you will get tough and walk to campus, like everybody else.</p>

<p>If you want to live downtown you could do that too. In that case you’d want to be within a reasonable walk to the bus stop. IIRC there are buses that stop right in front of Annabel Taylor Hall, across the street from the engineering quad. You can probably look on Ithaca or Tompkins County Transit (not sure what the right name is) to get the bus routes and schedules.</p>

<p>But Collegetown will seem more “college-like”.</p>

<p>Edit: I just realized you said “on-campus housing”. My response above pertains mostly to “off-campus housing”. I don’t know what options they gave you for on-campus, since I myself lived off campus most of my time there. There are a couple of university dorms located in Collegetown that would be convenient. West campus would be convenient too. You have to walk up Libe Slope but, again, toughen up!. But I thought West campus was mostly for sophomores these days?? Some of the “special-themed housing” options that I’m familiar with are in the vicinity of North Campus, which would be much less convenient to the engineering quad. Assuming this is where you’d be going, which I do not know for a fact.</p>

10

<p>Suggest print out a campus map and look at where your courses will be vs. where the housing options are. You can use Google walking directions to get distance and time to each place; for destination enter the name of the building,Cornell university, ithaca, NY. But recognize that everything on West Campus or lower Collegetown to the downtown city proper is downhill from the campus. Though some of the hills are more substantial than others, and students routinely walk from anyplace from a block or two below Stewart Avenue on up.</p>

11

<p>Thanks a lot for all the helpful info. Will do as u suggest - get a college map and find out where my classes will be held.</p>

12

<p>as a former CS undergrad at Cornell, I chuckled and 100% agree with monydad’s comments regarding housing locations. Back in my day, grad students lived in Sage Hall. It had its own dining hall. I lived in Collegetown (on Stewart Ave mentioned, about 1/2 way down the hill) which was close to the engr quad. You make your stops on your way home so you don’t need to walk up again later. </p>

<p>As for the MEng, I know several who did it right after undergrad and found it a decent program.</p>

<p>=========
edit- I see Sage is no longer a grad dorm. Too bad, it was a nice location and included a dining hall. It seems it is now offices.</p>

13

<p>So I guess I narrow it down to Collegetown or downtown. I will be looking at 1BHKs or studios with a monthly rent of about $1000. Is that possible or will it be more expensive?</p>

14

<p>I hear some high rent numbers bandied about on CC that I have trouble identifying with, because my D2 paid $540 a month for a shared apartment in lower Collegetown three years ago.</p>

<p>IMO a shared apartment in a Collegetown house would be potentially better, socially, for someone coming there without knowing anybody, and would be cheaper also. </p>

<p>For people who want singles in shiny new buildings and are too lazy to walk up a hill at all, one can certainly pay more. My guess is those buildings are not that great socially, too big. But I don’t really know. Those shiny new buildings were built way after my time there, and D2 didn’t live in one.</p>

<p>Downtown might be cheapest of all, but there are areas that might be relatively boring and a few blocks that might be somewhat theft-prone, so it’s best to go there only after you know something about the area. Which you don’t. And go in there for a house or apartment with people you know. which you don’t. But it can be a really good place to live, especially for a post-grad. Because other post-grads, and older “real people” live there, There’s a lot going on downtown, and around Ithaca, that many Cornell students never even find out about.</p>

<p>There may be Craigslist ads for vacancies in houses and apartments.</p>

<p>(PS wow, they lived in Sage Hall??? That would be a GREAT location, for anyone! I don’t think it was used for that in my day, IIRC it was an underutilized building that had a campus dining hall).</p>

15

<p>One last query - when exactly does the course end? It starts for us on 25th Aug 2014 and is a 9 month course. Why I am asking is, if we get placed during placements in March, when do we actually start working and under what visa status? I know employers file for H1B on 1st April and they are effective 1st October of the same year. I also read that unless you have completed or will complete your course by 31st March, an H1B petition cannot be filed for you in April that year. Is that how it works?</p>

16

<p>Maybe this helps??
<a href=“Academic Calendar 2022-2023 | Cornell University Registrar”>Academic Calendar 2022-2023 | Cornell University Registrar;
I’ve no other insight.</p>

17

<p>Does anyone know if ‘Center Ithaca’ apartments at 171 E State Street are good? I have found a good 1 bedroom loft and am thinking of taking up the lease. I have heard the bus stops to Cornell Engineering Quad are just around the block so transport should also be convenient.</p>

18

<p>Sadly I haven’t lived in ithaca in years, and never lived downtown myself.Though D2 did, after she graduated.
If at all possible I would go up there and take a look if I were you.
Looks like it’s right on the commons. if your windows are facing State Street it could be noisy on weekends. You should check.
Also I read a while ago they’re doing construction on or near the commons, suggest you investigate that too.
Also suggest call TCAT and make sure how reliable the bus service is, etc.</p>

19

<p>Well… after a maddening house hunting experience, I finally decided on Collegetown. The apartments are expensive (unless you share with someone) but at least they r within walking distance to Cornell. Any idea where shops like CVS, Walgreen, etc are in Ithaca … i mean, closest to Collegetown?</p>