I’ll finish my BSCS in a year and a half. I want to continue exploring C.S., and have access to recruiters/faculty/alumni at top CS schools. My current school wasn’t ideal for the latter.
I’m researching top CS programs. I don’t want to go to grad school just for the name, which is why Stanford’s MSCS isn’t that appealing despite being the most famous. Apparently, it’s not as selective or rigorous as the brand name suggests.
Berkeley’s seems to be stronger. It’s actually meant to prepare you for PhD, which I really like. I don’t want to do a PhD now (not interested in academia) but I might in the future, if I decide to focus on research rather than managerial positions as I advance my career.
What about CMU’s MSCS? Can you tell me anything about it? Is it reputable in the CS world, or is it more like Stanford’s?
Princeton has a relatively new, free and very small MSECS program, which I’m guessing is ultra competitive. Still, it must be pretty great. Do you know anything about it?
MIT only has a PhD program, which is probably very reputable, but a PhD is too much of a commitment and academia is something I definitely do not want to do. Is it still worth applying or pursuing?
What other MS programs are known to have the best students/professionals in CS?
Thank you.
I am really curious from where you heard that Stanford’s CS program is not strong or rigorous. Stanford is rated on par with MIT, Berkeley’s, CMU’s CS program, and it’s widely regarded as one of the top 5 programs. The fact that a MS is focused more on research and academic preparation doesn’t make it more rigorous, necessarily, than an MS program that focuses on professional development - they’re just different purposes. One is more useful if what you want is a job and not a PhD. Selectivity also doesn’t matter - you don’t care how many people they admit every year, just whether or not the program can get you where you want to go.
Also, of course you don’t want to go to graduate school just for the name - but reputation is far more important for the grad school level than it is for undergrad. Also, one of your stated reasons is to have access to top recruiters, alumni, and faculty in CS, which you will definitely have if you go to Stanford (or any of the programs on your list).
If you already know that a PhD is too much of a commitment for you right now and you definitely don’t want academia, then I think you have your answer already: no, it’s not worth it for you to pursue a PhD for now. You don’t need one to do what you want (unless you have a strong current interest in another career field that requires a PhD, like industry research. And even then, if you are unsure, you can work for a few years and then return for the PhD later).