(HELP) CMU or Yale?

Graduate School
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CMU feels they have to throw money at him to make him attend.

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<p>Or CMU is a better program, therefore it has more funding, therefore it can afford to offer funding to Master's students whereas Yale does not have the support to even do so. Quite a few Master's programs are unfunded.</p>

<p>I will grant you your argument that the word "Yale" will have more weight at a third world university, but is that where the OP is coming from? Is that where he wants to return to? If both those are true maybe it would make a bigger difference. But if not, I still say go to CMU.</p>

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So you think the Dean of domestic U of a 3rd world country will turn town an applicant with a graduate degree from Yale? Come again?

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<p>Not necessarily, no. I'm saying that I don't buy your claim that a CMU grad is disadvantaged. I maintain that most academics know the superstars in their own fields. Not parents and high school teachers who are trying to make sure that their kid goes to the "top" school, academics in the field.</p>

<p>I don't understand why you won't accept that in robotics, CMU <em>is</em> "the top", and not Yale. Nobody is talking about east/west, decent state Us, or geographic distance. Does your field, whatever it is, not have programs that are "the top" at schools that do not have the best man-on-the-street brand name? I mean, if we were talking about creative writing, it would be Iowa State. If we were talking about biomedical engineering, it would be Johns Hopkins. And so on.</p>

<p>Also, the OP specifically asked about <em>US</em> job opportunities. US! Not Third World!</p>

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<p>Are you kidding me? pick CMU man, it's no brainer. Look I've tasted the difference in engineering "prestige" between an ivy league school and a real engineering school. They are way different, you'll be much happier in engineering school. Trust me, there are more companies visiting, there are more research opportunities, there are more fundings, there are more class offered, etc etc. On the other hand, if you choose to attend ivy league, you'll become a second class citizen at Yale. I mean everyone know Yale's famous for law, humanities and such and such. by attending Yale, you're somehow perceived as less smart as these humanities folks (the keyword here is perceived). Trust me you'll be much happier at CMU than Yale and you have more money to spend on other things.</p>

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<p>Um, okay, let's set this issue straight.</p>

<p>I don't think ANYBODY here is really arguing that Yale is somehow better than CMU, program wise. CMU has one of the best programs in the country, hands down.</p>

<p>But what some of you fail to realize is that, if you think it is ridiculous to think that Yale is better than CMU just for the name, then let me tell you that people in other countries ARE ridiculous. I don't speak for every country, but I for one can speak for most Asian countries. My dad is a professor in mechanical engineering (not EE, but close) in China. He travels a lot and interacts with a lot of other asians, mostly Chinese but some Japanese, Korean, or even Singapore. Since I applied to grad school, he's mentioned a lot of names to people. And seriously, they only recognize the big ones.
In another country (depending on which country), the name is often the only thing that translates through the cultural borders.</p>

<p>I don't know where the author of this thread comes from, but whereever he/she's from, he/she should definitely do some investigating with people in his/her home country, because depending on the country/region, they could have a drastically different idea of "rankings" than we do.</p>

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I don't know where the author of this thread comes from, but whereever he/she's from, he/she should definitely do some investigating with people in his/her home country, because depending on the country/region, they could have a drastically different idea of "rankings" than we do.

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<p>That doesn't matter because the OP plans on working in the United States.</p>

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<p>Let's talk about non-career factors then.</p>

<p>Is it not (much) more impressive to one's friends/family/associates if you say you went to Yale? (CM-what?)</p>

<p>Why are we "merely" discussing the job prospects/education of CMU within the context of finding a job. Is there not some cachet for attending Yale? His parents can boast to their friends. Does this matter? Maybe not to you, but it seems to matter to some parents (Parent's guide to university admissions - w t f?), and maybe to the parents of the OP. We don't know.</p>

<p>Listen - I'm not trying to tell him to go to Yale. I'm not necessarily trying to act as devil's advocate. Heck, I'm of the opinion that if you have to pay for a grad degree (specifically PhD, not necessarly MS, but anyways), then it's not worth it. Does he have a GREAT opportunity at CMU? Absolutely. If Yale wasn't in the picture, this is a slam dunk absolute-no-brainer. And a great one at that.</p>

<p>But the opportunity he possesses, is to acquire (at his own cost), a Yale degree. This may present a strength that can't exactly be translated into job prospects/numbers. It may even lead to a poorer education. But do you think all the folks on these boards who are clamoring to get into HYPS are all here because they honestly believe the EDUCATION they will acquire there is worth all the effort/training/coaching they are expending/putting themselves through (given the number of great alternatives)? I think in most instances, its an issue of pride and perceived achievement. Pride and Perceived Achievement.</p>

<p>Folks in other countries don't know the US graduate system. They don't know that CMU is more prestigious, better, selective, smart etc. than Yale in Robotics (or whatever). But I'd argue that many folks in the US don't "understand" schools either e.g. for undergrad, HYPS > any other school. Yet I'm sure in many specific instances, this isn't the case either.</p>

<p>Anyways, it comes down to what is important to the OP. If he thinks its worth the extra 60K (or whatever) and a hit in education, to get a Yale degree, then power to him. What I'm saying is that if folks here argue he should go to CMU because it will give him better education/job prospects in the field (or in academia, or whatever), then fine, you may entirely be right. But I'm arguing that there might be more to the picture than just that issue, and as an extension, "education/job prospects/costs" may not necessarily be the most important thing to him. Maybe "attending Yale" is.</p>

<p>My bottom line then:
The "logical" choice given costs, education, prospects, is CMU. However, people have a million and one reasons for trying to attend an Ivy. And I'm not going to sit around and tell these folks they are wrong for wanting that.</p>

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<p>You are GROSSLY overestimating the "power" of a Yale degree. When it comes down to it, Yale 'might' get you in the door. But from then on out, its dependent on the training you received from a grad school. And I don't see anyone clamoring to get into HYP from this board except for immature undergrads pondering grad school 4 years down the road and these people mainly reside only in the other undergrad forums which is a different matter altogether.</p>

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<p>Those were the forums I was referring to.</p>

<p>What forum's views regarding university rankings/prestige do you think are more representative of the general public? I don't see a "Parent's forum" in the graduate section, do you? Or would you like to compare the traffic on the respective forums?</p>

<p>What university is ranked #1 overall in the US? </p>

<p>What graduate program in space telecommunication studies is ranked #1 overall in the US?</p>

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<p>Go to any private school within MIT's vicinity. Tell people you go to Yale. Then mention you major in Engineering. Endure ensuing laughter.</p>

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<p>This person has a lot of insecurities. Better have a stiffer backbone and make a decision and live with it. You have a great opportunity, use it and never look back.</p>

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<p>Then it is fortunate for Yale engineers that the world isn't composed of the vicinity of MIT.</p>

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<p>Go To CMU for sure. Yale is NOT even remotely as good as CMU in computer science. CMU is a peer with Stanford, Berkeley and MIT. These 4 are most famous in this field. A graduate degree from CMU computer science is much more prestigious than a graduate degree from Yale computer science. If you can not figure that out, I must say you know little about computer science.</p>

<p>Never under estimate the people from other countries. I'm sure the folks from Asia know how good CMU is. They are able to figure out Yale is not nearly as great as CMU in CS. Asian people read US-News rankings. They know where the great work in computer science come from. </p>

<p>I wonder why this is even a choice. It should be a no brainer.</p>

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<p>Yes they do. And they see Yale at #2.</p>

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<p>dear friends,
i'd like to thank you all for sharing your opinions about the dilemma i'm having.
i'd like to thank all the cons and pros arguments you guys posted. they are all very insightful and gave me chance to reflect back on what i want to do for my future.</p>

<p>i've decided my mind. i'm going to CMU =)
robotics is my passion and i cannot imagine myself doing other stuff than what i really like in grad school. New_User and pearlygate are right, i'll be happier doing things i like. unfortunately, CMU isn't that famous in my home country as opposed to Yale. but i guess i would be happier to be recognized by ppl who REALLY know.</p>

<p>and finally, knowing that my parents won't need to support me anymore on my grad studies is what relieves me most. i feel like it is the right thing to do and what helped me made my decision.</p>

<p>once again, thanks for all the posts. i really appreciate it.</p>

<p>i'm flying to pittsburgh, baby ---! woohooo!!
first time in US =)</p>

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<p>Congrats, good choice.:)</p>

<p>Sorry that Pittsburgh will be your first experience of the US.:) Just kidding, it is not that bad, but see some other areas as well while you are here.:)</p>

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<p>CMU is probably the best school in the world for robotics. If you want to pursue a career in research in the field of robotics, choosing CMU over Yale should be a no-brainer.</p>

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Yes they do. And they see Yale at #2.

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<p>Not in computer science, they don't.</p>

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<p>Was that suggested anywhere? </p>

<p>I couldn't even tell you who ranks first in computer science. </p>

<p>redbullbcfan: Congrats. I don't think you could've made a wrong choice here. But obviously, not having to pay for your education is a major benefit.</p>

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<p>
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dear friends,
i'd like to thank you all for sharing your opinions about the dilemma i'm having.
i'd like to thank all the cons and pros arguments you guys posted. they are all very insightful and gave me chance to reflect back on what i want to do for my future.</p>

<p>i've decided my mind. i'm going to CMU =)
robotics is my passion and i cannot imagine myself doing other stuff than what i really like in grad school. New_User and pearlygate are right, i'll be happier doing things i like. unfortunately, CMU isn't that famous in my home country as opposed to Yale. but i guess i would be happier to be recognized by ppl who REALLY know.</p>

<p>and finally, knowing that my parents won't need to support me anymore on my grad studies is what relieves me most. i feel like it is the right thing to do and what helped me made my decision.</p>

<p>once again, thanks for all the posts. i really appreciate it.</p>

<p>i'm flying to pittsburgh, baby ---! woohooo!!
first time in US =)

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<p>good choice sir, glad I can help you.</p>