I come from a business background and want to transfer into tech, still exploring between SDE, DS, MLE, PM possibilities. Please help me decide between these 1 year grad programs:
UW Master of Science for Information Management - Data Science Track: 30% admit rate
Pros: Great location, Seattle is where I want to settle; the school is well funded, and its CS department is highly desired and on the raise; Seattle is the HQ for many large employers such as Amazon, Microsoft
Cons: MSIM courses are less technical, will require extra self learning and discipline; high CS and world but lower national ranking; MSIM is under iSchool and not Computer Science
Gatech Master of Science for Analytics - Computational Data Track: 16% admit rate
Pros: Top master program for DS; its computational data track is very hard core; the program has a track record for 100% employment after graduation; adds a solid tech foundation to my business background
Cons: MSA coursework are heavily invested in data science (there are fewer DS and MLE opportunities on the market, and I want to have the flexibility to explore SDE or PM possibilities at school); I will probably relocate to Seattle or the Bay Area after graduation
UIUC Master of Science for Information Management - Data Science Track:
Pros: Another great school for CS
Cons: MSIM is under iSchool and not CS; UIUC is under funded; likely relocate to Seattle or the Bay Area; peer pressure from a large pool of CS students
Quick Bio: 32, Canadian, finance BA + MBA