M.Eng Cornell or M.S. Clemson/WPI

saeven · 03-21-2012, 06:42 PM

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.

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.

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)

CFB53B · 03-21-2012, 08:59 PM

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.

Montegut · 03-22-2012, 11:46 AM

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.

Is it possible you could do a nonthesis at Clemson or WPI, and would that give you a shorter program?

What area of the country are you looking to work in?

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.

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.?

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.

Please keep us posted. Would love to hear about your decision and experience.

CFB53B · 03-22-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Clemson does, however, have a great reputation, and I've seen on their career site that many companies recruit there.

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).

Montegut · 03-22-2012, 02:03 PM

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!

saeven · 03-23-2012, 11:31 AM

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.

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.

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.

saeven · 04-03-2012, 01:57 PM

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.

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.

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.

Do you guys agree?

rogracer · 04-03-2012, 05:30 PM

Yes, I think that is a very reasonable plan.

pierre0913 · 04-12-2012, 07:59 AM

saeven, great decision and congrats on the assistantship!

Montegut · 04-13-2012, 12:27 AM

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!

kabir.sodhi · 10-03-2012, 06:37 PM

hi saeven, can u please tell me what your stats were ? I'm interested in the MEng program at Cornell too.