How I chose my masters degree (as an international student)

TL;DR

Explains choosing a master's in computer science as an international student.

Transcript

so this is not exactly why i decided to do my master's degree but tbh is not too far from the truth in this video i'll walk you guys through the four major reasons why i chose to apply to three master's programs and stay until the very end to see why i decided to choose my master's program in the end so the programs i applied for were number one ne... Read More

Key Insights

• The speaker applied to three master's programs: Duke's Engineering Management, UChicago's Computer Science, and UPenn's Computer and Information Technology.
• Job prospects were a major factor in choosing a program, favoring degrees offering broad career options over specialized ones.
• Coursework diversity was crucial, with Duke offering the most flexible program compared to UChicago and UPenn.
• Prestige influenced the decision, with a preference for programs from highly ranked institutions with low acceptance rates.
• Return on investment was considered, aiming for a program that would pay back the cost within two years post-graduation.
• The speaker ultimately chose UPenn's program for its technical nature and attractive job prospects across various industries.
• Duke's program was more aligned with traditional industries, which did not match the speaker's career interests.
• A backup plan involved applying for a second bachelor's degree at the University of British Columbia if all master's applications were unsuccessful.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did the speaker choose UPenn's program over Duke's?

The speaker chose UPenn's program because it offered a more technical focus and better job prospects in software engineering, product management, and data science. Duke's program, while flexible, was more aligned with traditional industries, which did not match the speaker's career interests.

Q: What role did job prospects play in the decision-making process?

Job prospects were a major factor in the decision-making process. The speaker preferred programs that offered broad career options, such as software engineering and data science, over specialized programs like data science alone. This approach aimed to maximize employment opportunities post-graduation.

Q: How important was coursework diversity in choosing a program?

Coursework diversity was crucial for the speaker, who sought programs offering a wide range of courses. Duke's program was noted for its flexibility, allowing specialization in engineering disciplines and management courses, while UPenn and UChicago offered strong technical courses with some elective options.

Q: What was the speaker's stance on the prestige of a program?

Prestige was important to the speaker, who wanted to attend a prestigious school with a reputable program. This factor was based on school rankings and acceptance rates, with the belief that lower acceptance rates indicated higher prestige. The speaker prioritized programs from highly ranked institutions.

Q: How did return on investment influence the speaker's choice?

Return on investment was a key consideration, with the speaker aiming to attend a program that would pay back its cost within two years. This meant choosing a program with high post-graduation salaries, typically around six figures, which was a criterion met by computer science degrees.

Q: What backup plan did the speaker have if all applications were rejected?

The speaker's backup plan involved applying for a second bachelor's degree in computer science at the University of British Columbia. This program was designed for students without a technical bachelor's degree and had a later application deadline, providing a fallback option if master's applications were unsuccessful.

Q: Why did the speaker not choose a data science-specific program?

The speaker avoided data science-specific programs due to their narrow job focus, preferring broader degrees like computer science or engineering management. These programs offered more flexibility and diverse career options, aligning with the speaker's desire for a degree that opened multiple career paths.

Q: What was the speaker's initial career path before choosing computer science?

Initially, the speaker planned to pursue a career as a doctor but later decided to switch to computer science. This change was motivated by a desire for a career with broader job prospects and flexibility, leading to the decision to pursue a master's in computer science instead.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses the decision-making process for choosing a master's degree in computer science as an international student. The focus was on job prospects, coursework diversity, prestige, and return on investment. Ultimately, UPenn's program was chosen for its technical nature and career opportunities.

• Three programs were considered: Duke's Engineering Management, UChicago's Computer Science, and UPenn's Computer and Information Technology. Each had different strengths, but UPenn's technical focus and job prospects were decisive factors in the final choice.

• The speaker valued a program's ability to open diverse career paths and provide a high return on investment. Despite Duke's flexibility, UPenn's technical rigor and industry connections made it the preferred choice, aligning with the speaker's career aspirations.