Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!pacbell!ames!xanth!nic.MR.NET!eta!phinker
From: phinker@eta.unix.ETA.COM (Paul Hinker)
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: The need for an advanced degree
Summary: One step further
Message-ID: <911@wilbur.unix.ETA.COM>
Date: 9 Jan 89 14:17:01 GMT
References: <8901041445.AA20933@decwrl.dec.com> <18730@agate.BERKELEY.EDU>
Organization: ETA Systems, Inc.
Lines: 38


<Some good stuff about Grad school and reasons to go (or not to go)
deleted>

  This is the kind of discussion I've been waiting for in this group.  I've
been thinking along the same lines as Paul with regards to a graduate degree
in Computer Science and I have a few questions of my own.

  I'm sure I want to continue my education for several reasons.  I think I 
got a fairly decent *general* idea about what Computer Science is all about
when obtaining my BS but find that there are gaps now that I've been working
for a couple (that's two) years.  Someday I'd like to teach and I think having
an advanced degree would facilitate that.  Finally, my wife has an advanced
degree and I hate to have anyone think that she's more *educated* than I 
   for I = 1 to many
     print :-)
   next i

  I've talked to quite a few people who've gotten advanced degrees and the
general concensus is : If you're going to get a PhD then don't fool around,
go for it and skip the masters degree.  Is this good advice?  I do want to
get a PhD, ultimately, so I guess it makes sense.  Comments?
  Also, which schools offer the best advanced degree education?  I've got 
a book that lists Graduate Engineering Schools but I'd like some other input.
I've also been told "If you're going to do it, do it right and go to MIT or
some other 'big name'"  I guess I'm not looking for some of the obvious 
choices here.  I got my BS at a 'no name' engineering college and find that
I have as good, or better, education as graduates from the 'big name' schools
with an equivalent degree.  Some schools that have been suggested to me so far
include : Texas Tech, New Mexico Tech, Iowa State (Ames).  Can anyone tell
me about them?

DISCLAIMER : Any opinions expressed or implied are solely the author's and
             do not (necessarily) reflect the policies of ETA Systems

Paul Hinker
phinker@aring.eta.com
phinker@sunfun.eta.com