<p>I have applied to many graduate programs and have been accepted into the M.S. (2 years) at Clemson and WPI. Now say I get accepted to the M.Eng (1 year) at Cornell.</p>
<p>My ultimate plan is to work in a biomedical engineering or biotechnology company. I don't really want to be a professor, and that seems to be the main positive to getting the M.S.</p>
<p>Do you think getting an M.Eng from a prestigious school like Cornell is better than getting an M.S. from a much less prestigious school like Clemson or WPI? Solely from a job standpoint, which degree is better. (They both end up being around the same amount of tuition because as of now I can't get funding from Clemson or WPI)</p>
<p>Employers will look at a M.Eng and an M.S. as equivalent. The only difference is if you’re applying for a research position, in which case a thesis-based M.S. would be better. I would absolutely take a top school for an M.Eng over a lower tier M.S.</p>
<p>First off, congrats on the acceptances. My son is second year mech eng and wants to get a Masters in Biomedical Engineering. He’s in a research honors program and has decided he does not want to do research. He was going so far as to give up on grad school until I suggested doing a nonthesis masters. He was very keen on this, and others on this board have suggested that would be a good option for him.</p>
<p>Is it possible you could do a nonthesis at Clemson or WPI, and would that give you a shorter program?</p>
<p>What area of the country are you looking to work in?</p>
<p>WPI is in the Boston area, whereas, Clemson is in the Carolinas. Clemson does, however, have a great reputation, and I’ve seen on their career site that many companies recruit there. </p>
<p>Cornell is an awesome, awesome, well respected school. Have you been accepted there? And would it really only take one year to get your M. Eng.?</p>
<p>As for funding, since this would be your terminal degree, I would not let that play into it. You could perhaps pick up campus jobs once you get in there. </p>
<p>Please keep us posted. Would love to hear about your decision and experience.</p>
<p>Cornell is a much more respected program with better graduation employment options. Clemson is generally considered to be a third tier engineering school and the options coming out just can’t match Cornell. Cornell is a Top 10 engineering program, whereas Clemson isn’t even a Top 50 (#77).</p>
<p>I live in the Deep South, and Clemson and Auburn are well respected down here for engineering. Tulane used to be, but they’ve closed their engineering program. I agree, Cornell is the better school. I wasn’t sure if the OP had been accepted there or not. I hope my son applies there for grad school as well. Good luck!</p>
<p>Montegut, and others, thanks for the replies. It is not possible to do a nonthesis masters at the other schools. I plan to work in the northeast, probably in the Boston area. </p>
<p>I have not technically been accepted yet, but admissions told me that they thought I would be a great candidate for the M.Eng at Cornell because I have a lot of industry experience while in undergrad.</p>
<p>And yes, there masters is actually a 9-month program. Going to be one hectic 9 months if I were to do it, but I think it is definitely worth it. Also, if I decide to go into Ph.D down the road or maybe even an MBA, having a Masters from an Ivy League school will hopefully make my application much more enticing.</p>
<p>The tables have turned, guys. I was recently awarded a teaching assistantship at WPI. I get free tuition for the first year, plus $1900 a month stipend, and it is renewable for the second year. </p>
<p>I decided to take this funding opportunity. Having actual money in a bank account for a couple years and having no loans, but being from a lower tier school, outweighs being $55,000 in debt (in 1 year) at a higher ranked school.</p>
<p>Also, the fact that I wanted to end up doing research for a company means that the research based degree at WPI would suit me better.</p>
<p>Congratulations! WPI is a great school, and in a great area. You said you wanted to work in the Boston area, right? I’m so glad you were also able to get some funding, too. Sounds like a win/win situation to me!</p>