<p>Applying for : Fall 2008
Majors : Computer Science / Computer Engineering</p>
<p>A few questions :
I intend to do my masters and possibly even a PhD in my field (Computer science). Can I do my masters right after my undergrad or do i need work ex ? Does my undgrad school really count later on after my masters(in terms of jobs, salaries) ? Does going to a Tier 2ish undergrad school affect my chances of getting into a top grad school ? What's better : top GPA at Tier 2 uni or middish GPA at Tier I uni ?</p>
<ul>
<li>You can do masters right after undergrad</li>
<li><p>Undergrad can count after masters if it's elite and your grad school is not. Its quite common for people to do an elite undergrad and get a master's in a part-time program while working in their first job. In that case, the undergraduate school would still carry some weight. </p></li>
<li><p>For both of the other questions, the ultimate question you want to ask is which type of school will leave you with the greater capabilities as an engineer. That's what grad schools and employers care about. That mostly depends on your own learning style and temperment. Engineering is hard. Most of the top schools are brutally hard. They often pack a ton of material into a short period of time and teach to the top of the class - MIT calls it "drinking from the firehouse". For some, this works out great - even if they don't get everything the first time around, they've seen so much and go into greater depth so that when they need it, they know where to find it. Some struggle initially and figure out how to learn well this way - that's a great outcome. For others, it's a miserable and unsatisfying way to learn with no time to think and digest. Other engineering schools will go at a more "humane" pace, and thus will cover less material in the same amount of time. Which approach is better suited to you, and which will leave you with greater capability? There is no single right answer for everyone.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I'll put it this way: going to a prestigious undergrad school might help you, but going to a less prestigious undergrad school won't necessarily hurt you. </p>
<p>Go where you'll be happy. Get good grades, intern, get as much experience as possible. Do these things, and you'll likely be successful. Name doesn't matter as much as most people think.</p>
<p>I basically put forth all those questions because I, apart from applying to the usual tech schools, will be applying to a few LACs for Computer Science(the ones that offer decent financial aid). Because if I get 70%+ aid anywhere, then I guess I'll go to there ...</p>
<p>Hmm. Need some time to think. Will be back with a few more Qs :).</p>
<p>As long as you have good grades, GREs, recommendations, and possbly work/research experiences, you'll have little trouble no matter where you went. Getting medium grades at top is probably about as good as getting excellent grades at a decent school, but poor grades at either place will hurt you much more than good grades at the top school would help. If you're really worried about it, write an undergraduate thesis to prove how good a student you are and how valuable you might be. Or complete a conspicuous project. Most schools give credit for that kind of thing. It's gold.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>A friend of mine just told me that you HAVE TO work for 2 years before you can do your masters ? :S</p>
<p>College is not like high school. The professors usually have great relationships with each other no matter the university. Getting a good recommendation is very valuable. So going to a less prestigious undergrad school might help you in graduate school admissions.</p>
<p>Is there a striking difference between the starting salaries offered after : a. Top GPA at tier ii uni and b. Mid GPA at top uni</p>