Grad School for CmpE

Graduate School
1

<p>I am going in to my junior year at Purdue as a undergrad CmpE major. I have a 3.4 gpa and have a five term coop with NASA at Johnson Space Center. Here I can tour in different sections of the organization. So far I have worked in a shuttle mission control division (specific to on-board orbiter computer systems), planning of next generation crew capsule work, and worked in a group programming for future projects related to robotics.</p>

<p>I want to delve deeper and be able to make a better impact in my career. I feel like grad school would let me do that. Right now I'm looking at Masters programs in computer engineering from schools such as Purdue (I love this place), Illinois, Maryland, Texas etc. I don't want to go to a school that would put me a step behind from where Purdue would put me I suppose. Would getting in to a solid masters program be really difficult?</p>

<p>When would I be applying to schools, taking the gre, etc? Any input?</p>

2

<p>These are really basic questions that can be easily and thoroughly answered by your current department, or even at the top of this forum:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/348756-graduate-school-admissions-101-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/348756-graduate-school-admissions-101-a.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If you have any specific questions, please post them.</p>

3

<p>well even though it is basic - I do want to know how much I should be looking at rankings.</p>

<p>I’ll be in state for california so should Berkeley and UCLA be my goals? Aside from the rankings, will employers see much of any difference between Berkeley, UCLA, Illinois, Purdue etc?</p>

4

<p>Rankings: In your specialty, only your advisor’s reputation and opinion really matter. In your field but outside your specialty people pay attention to department rankings. Outside your field people only care about the school’s reputation. So… it depends on what you want to do. If you know exactly what you want to study, go based on the advisor. If you’re not sure, the rankings show you quality departments that will offer good job prospects but may not research anything you care about. If you plan on getting out of your field to go into law or management, then pick the big-name school.</p>

<p>Employers: Different companies recruit from and are familiar with different schools - there are companies that do not know that Purdue is a quality school, or that Harvard is poor in engineering. Most companies will figure in your department’s quality in recruiting and salary - they will expect more from a Berkeley grad and will pay a little extra as a result. Not a ton extra, mind you, but a little. More importantly, a rigorous program and a quality advisor will better prepare you to succeed as a researcher, which down the road can make a big difference.</p>