MS Computer Science: Oxford v/s Georgia v/s McGill

<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I'm currently finishing off my BS in Computer Science from a top school in my country and the region.</p>

<p>I have been admitted to the following MS programs:</p>

<ul>
<li>Oxford: 1-year taught program with research project, no funding</li>
<li>Georgia Tech: 2-year thesis-option program, no funding</li>
<li>McGill: 2-year thesis-option program, funded</li>
<li>Simon Fraser University (SFU): 2-year thesis-option program, funded</li>
</ul>

<p>With respect to my research interests, which are in the area of data mining/web search, GA Tech and Simon Fraser are closest. I know SFU is a MUCH less reputable university than the other three mentioned in this thread, but chances for interesting research and publications at MS-level seem to be much higher, knowing that GA Tech has hundreds of Ph.D students already filling every research position with every professor, while SFU faculty dedicate more of their budget and time to MS students.</p>

<p>As for McGill, it beats SFU in terms of reputation in Canada and the US, while an MS at Oxford might represent a huge step into virtually going to any Ph.D program I'd like to in the UK afterwards. </p>

<p>Considering that I intend to follow my MS with a Ph.D (hopefully in a top school in the US), which program do you think I should choose?</p>

<p>I'd appreciate any feedback really! Thanks</p>

<p>Have you done any significant research during undergrad?</p>

<p>Since you want to do a PhD afterwards, one of the biggest factors in being accepted to programs is research experience…</p>

<p>Given that, I think you’d be better off not going to GaTech for an MS (although if you were doing a terminal MS I would say GaTech no question). Same thing for McGill if the research opportunities are swamped by PhD students, and in that case you might as well go to GaTech for the superior reputation.</p>

<p>Since Oxford has the research project opportunity (which I’m assuming means collaboration with a professor in something more meaningful than the thesis option) and a solid worldwide brand name, I’d vote for Oxford.</p>

<p>I’d say only go to SFU if you really think your chances of having significant research/publications are much higher than your chances at the other schools. I still think that’s kind of risky, in case things don’t pan out the way you plan them.</p>

<p>EDIT: I forgot to mention, if you have some solid research experience from undergrad, then adding a thesis-option degree to that from GaTech would be great. But it’s paramount you do meaningful research with that thesis.</p>

<p>Hey thanks for your reply!</p>

<p>I don’t have any undergrad research experience. Why SFU seems good to me (I’m still not 100% sure though) is that it is ranked as one of the top 10 schools in the area of Data Mining (even better than MIT in terms of publications and citations in the field). Add to that FUNDING. Whereas Oxford has a 1-year program, not many people in data mining, and will cost me 50,000$ hence a loan burden.</p>

<p>Scratch Oxford then.</p>

<p>I’d say your choice is down to GaTech and SFU. Leaning a bit toward SFU, since it is funded and you say it specializes in your research interests. Perhaps you could contact some professors ahead of time and ask if they take on promising master’s students for research.</p>