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Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
51–60 of 220 posts
Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
#52Worth it -- based on what metric? My wife did an online master's degree (at a legit university that also had an online program). You have to be very good at self-pacing, diligence, and learning autonomously. You have to be so good at it, in fact, that the type of person who would succeed in an online master's program is the same type of person who would succeed in self-learning without the master's program. So if you…
I would say that I am an engineer than need motivation to do course work outside of school/work. These classes are not your average MOOC that you can just forget about. I think there is enough structure and incentive to encourage you on. CV was pretty brutal because it has been so long from any decent math for me and AI was insane as well.
Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
#53Earlier quoted context omitted.
As I recall, you have to complete (2) "foundational" courses (there is a list on the main OMSCS website) within the first 12 months with a grade of B or better. After that, you need to graduate within 36 months after you started.
You definitley don't need to graduate within 36 months after you started. You have up to 6 years to complete it.
"How long does it take to complete and receive a degree?
We anticipate the typical time for students to complete the OMS CS will be about three years, though we will allow for longer enrollments—up to six years—for those students who need greater flexibility."
http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/prospective-students/faq
I had read somewhere (can't find it at the moment, maybe the limit has been removed?) that you had to wrap it up within three years or apply for an extension - which is "we will allow" sounds like above.
Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
#54I applied and got rejected due to not having my BS from a regionally accredited school, though it's nationally accredited. Very confused because their page implies students from all over the world attend. Bummer.
Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
#55Current working professional and an OMSCS student here. It highly depends on the context. Biggest pros are: 1. This is perhaps the cheapest Computer Science masters in the United States from a premier school. The degree is exactly the same as offered to the residential program and the credits acquired are all legit and transferable to other universities. I had friends who transferred from OMSCS to a regular school an…
My OMSCS experience was rewarding, but I think I echo most other commenters when I say it is entirely dependent on how much effort you can put in. Personally, I graduated in May 2017 after 2 years of study (worked full-time during those years), with a decently high GPA and a good understanding of the basics. As my undergraduate degree was in Mechanical Engineering/Math, it was interesting to get more involved with machine learning/robotics from the software side. If you already have CS experience, I don't know how much this would be beneficial over more traditional on-the-job training, but for someone who is diversifying/changing specialities, it was very useful. Though in my current role, its mostly used as a filter, so all the hard problems that encompass both departments seem to end up at my desk...
Additionally, one of things about OMSCS vs a MOOC or self study is that because you have invested financially, you are more motivated to succeed. This can be especially useful if you are maintaining a full-time job while attending, as getting home from work to do nightly programming can be a challenge some days.
Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
#56Logging in as a throwaway. The program only costs $5k but it was one of the most expensive things I've done in my life. Got a job at Google directly because of this program (a few classes like CCA helped a lot with interviews). I'm aware of at least a couple dozen of us from OMS here. The program cost me dearly. It cost me my relationship with the SO and it cost me my health (staying up late nights, lots of coffee).…
> Working full time and taking classes is not easy. Consider quitting and doing it peacefully.
Nope, it's definitely not easy. I take two classes full terms, one in the summers while working a full-time day job. I easily spend 20-30 hrs/week on coursework + readings + lectures during full terms, only ~10 hrs/week during the summers. Anything more than that would definitely require a rethink and time off. But it is entirely doable if giving up two years' pay isn't an option.
Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
#57Earlier quoted context omitted.
I work full time as a systems engineer and have been a software engineer professionally for the last 3 years. I have a Bachelor's but it's not in anything remotely related to CS. Is it possible to be working full time and doing the OMSCS and succeed?
Hopefully, because I'm in a similar situation and starting the program in a week!
Good luck. I'm planning on enrolling and working full time once my kids a little bit older.
Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
#58Current working professional and an OMSCS student here. It highly depends on the context. Biggest pros are: 1. This is perhaps the cheapest Computer Science masters in the United States from a premier school. The degree is exactly the same as offered to the residential program and the credits acquired are all legit and transferable to other universities. I had friends who transferred from OMSCS to a regular school an…
> Cmon guys, a US Masters for 7000 USD? For US costal software engineers, $7k is relatively inexpensive. The average monthly income in Brazil is ~$620 a month. The average top end worker is $3500 a month. So $7k would likely be a significant investment for many Brazilians. https://www.worldcrunch.com/business-finance/in-booming-braz...
I think he means that it's a deal compared to other good CS masters degrees. Obviously, things are expensive for people in different places. Hell, 7k is pretty damn expensive for a lot of Americans too.
Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
#59I received my degree through that program last year and was part of the very first cohort. The program is rigorous, prepare to work your butt off. Doing it while having a full time job is hard, but many of the people in the program are doing just that.
The credential you get it is an incredible deal. You will learn plenty about theoretical computer science if that is your goal.
Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?
#60[deleted]