Where to go? I need your help.

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hi, all.</p>

<p>I am really in a struggle, and you will definitely give me big help if you would like to offer me your advice and suggestions regarding the following problem. Thank you in advance!</p>

<p>I got into JHU MSE in Computer science and UNC Chapel Hill Master in Information and Library Science; both without full funding.</p>

<p>Both are good schools, but I wonder if JHU has an edge over UNC in terms of reputation and network, which might mean a better job prospect, networking, etc. Also, negative things about going to a Computer Science graduate program is that I am not quite interested in pure computer engineering stuffs like Architecture and Operating System, yet things like algorithms and artificial intelligence really are my dishes.</p>

<p>The program in UNC is not Computer science, but information and library science; I see they have some very interesting courses too; also they emphasize interdisciplinary studies; besides, there are opportunities to get access to academic resources in Duke and NCSU. Besides all these, sometimes I think UNC is a bigger school, who has more programs to offer, so I can satisfy my diverse interests, though perhaps not directly relevant to my graduate studies :></p>

<p>I am in such a dilemma and I am afraid I have to make a quick decision. But I am just an international student who has never visited either school, therefore I am not sure if I can make an informed decision at this stage. So your help, opinion and any inside scoops about these two schools, either in terms of academics, campus spirit or some others, are more than welcome.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance!</p>

2

<p>Which degree will cost you less money to complete?</p>

<p>Which degree is most likely to get you a job when you return home?</p>

<p>And for grad school, “campus spirit” doesn’t matter at all. You will be living in your lab or the university library and will barely see the light of day. What matters is your department’s “spirit”.</p>

<p>For ideas about graduate student life at those two institutions, you may want to post this question in the Grad School Forum. To find it, return to the main page for the forums, and then scroll down.</p>