<p>Can anyone tell me which of the graduate school is more suitable for PhD in CS with specialization in security.</p>
<p>Also tell me which are good for specialization in cryptography.</p>
<p>[Best</a> Computer Science Programs | Top Computer Science Schools | US News Best Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings)</p>
<p>I know these rankings, I want to more than rankings.</p>
<p>You need to look at individual faculty that you may want to work with and their group’s recent publications. Ranking entire departments isn’t all that meaningful.</p>
<p>@GShine
Thank you so much GShine for your continued help during my admission process. Your suggestions and advices were very helpful.</p>
<p>My area of research is Security and I am more interested in Cryptography.</p>
<p>I am now admitted to UIUC and UMD College Park. In UIUC I have very handsome funding and the living cost is also low. In UIUC I got fellowship for the first year (almost double funding than I got at UMD) and guaranteed RA/TA for year 2 through 5. </p>
<p>In UMD, I think my prospective advisor would be Jonathan Katz (a known name in Cryptography). My UMD acceptance email was CC to Jonathan Katz. My funding at UMD is as a TA for the first year and guaranteed for the two years. I also got Dean’s Fellowship ($2500 per year) for the first two years.</p>
<p>Which school is more good for Security and particularly cryptography.</p>
<p>This isn’t something I can help with since I’m EE in semiconductors (so I’m actually closer to materials science/condesnsed matter physics). I only know that UIUC’s general CS reputation is stronger, but this doesn’t necessarily extend to cryptography or to specific faculty. The computer science forum at urch.com and gradcafe.com can probably help you more:</p>
<p>[Computer</a> Science Admissions](<a href=“http://www.urch.com/forums/computer-science-admissions/]Computer”>http://www.urch.com/forums/computer-science-admissions/)
[Computer</a> Science - The GradCafe Forums](<a href=“Computer Science - The GradCafe Forums”>Computer Science - The GradCafe Forums)</p>
<p>But there is no substitute for reading prospective group’s publications and deciding which research aligns with your interests. I wouldn’t worry too much about funding as long as something is offered. Even if it’s only “guaranteed” for X number of years, most professors at top schools (especiallly well-known professors) can consistently pull in funding through grants to support for you for 5+ years. Almost no top CS departments will simply abandon their graduate students.</p>
<p>I know that UMD has a good crypto group. There are strong ones elsewhere too (UCLA, UCSD, Brown among others.) I can’t compare UMD with your other 2 schools, my daughter didn’t apply to those so I didn’t hear anything about it.</p>
<p>That UMD funding sounds typical for them, except for the bit extra they threw in. Very nice for UIUC to give 5 yrs guaranteed and to remove the load of TA/RA from your first year.</p>
<p>Low cost of living is great, too bad you have to live there, lol.</p>
<p>You need to read about the professors and their interests and current research. Then go there and ask questions. Also talk to your own profs for this sort of information.</p>