Which is better for ACO (algorithms, combinatorics, optimization): Georgia Tech or Waterloo?
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 8:41 pm
Waterloo wants me to decide by 5pm tomorrow, so I'm kinda stressing out Dx
I have been admitted to the ACO (algorithms, combinatorics, and optimization) program at Georgia Tech and in the C&O (combinatorics and optimization) department at the University of Waterloo. I've visited both of them and they both seem like good schools for the type of research I'm interested in so I'm still having trouble deciding.
My general research interests are pretty clear given the name of the programs/departments, but I am still unsure on what my specific research interests are at the moment. From what I've been exposed to, I have a general liking to graph theory (and its applications) and since I have a computer science background, I am also interested in algorithms (including algorithms on graphs and other discrete structures and combinatorial optimization).
I am also undecided on whether or not I want to pursue industry afterwards or if I want to stay in academia, so that's an additional complication in my decision.
Right now my pro's list for each is below:
Waterloo:
-I like the city and the area around campus (whereas Atlanta doesn't feel as safe)
-They have a department dedicated to C&O (as opposed to just a program split between departments at Georgia Tech)
-I feel like I was able to connect with the professors there a bit more during my visit
-I know that Silicon Valley recruits from Waterloo and that there are even some physical presence of some tech companies in Waterloo (such as Google) and Waterloo has a co-op program to assist students in obtaining internships (I am considering doing an internship during one of my summer's to (1) see if industry is something I would want to do afterwards and (2) gain some industry experience since I currently have very little).
Georgia Tech:
-I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that Georgia Tech would be more highly regarded than Waterloo if I were to apply for a position in academia later.
-Although the program is split between departments, I do like the freedom in their program to work with Computer Science professors if I want to
-I would be closer to my significant other (we're in a long-distance relationship)
Any information would be appreciated. I just want to make sure that I don't pick the "wrong" school if there is one that is obviously wrong to everyone except my self.
I have been admitted to the ACO (algorithms, combinatorics, and optimization) program at Georgia Tech and in the C&O (combinatorics and optimization) department at the University of Waterloo. I've visited both of them and they both seem like good schools for the type of research I'm interested in so I'm still having trouble deciding.
My general research interests are pretty clear given the name of the programs/departments, but I am still unsure on what my specific research interests are at the moment. From what I've been exposed to, I have a general liking to graph theory (and its applications) and since I have a computer science background, I am also interested in algorithms (including algorithms on graphs and other discrete structures and combinatorial optimization).
I am also undecided on whether or not I want to pursue industry afterwards or if I want to stay in academia, so that's an additional complication in my decision.
Right now my pro's list for each is below:
Waterloo:
-I like the city and the area around campus (whereas Atlanta doesn't feel as safe)
-They have a department dedicated to C&O (as opposed to just a program split between departments at Georgia Tech)
-I feel like I was able to connect with the professors there a bit more during my visit
-I know that Silicon Valley recruits from Waterloo and that there are even some physical presence of some tech companies in Waterloo (such as Google) and Waterloo has a co-op program to assist students in obtaining internships (I am considering doing an internship during one of my summer's to (1) see if industry is something I would want to do afterwards and (2) gain some industry experience since I currently have very little).
Georgia Tech:
-I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that Georgia Tech would be more highly regarded than Waterloo if I were to apply for a position in academia later.
-Although the program is split between departments, I do like the freedom in their program to work with Computer Science professors if I want to
-I would be closer to my significant other (we're in a long-distance relationship)
Any information would be appreciated. I just want to make sure that I don't pick the "wrong" school if there is one that is obviously wrong to everyone except my self.