Reviewed on Jan 28, 2025(Enrolled 2024)
What Students Say
Likes
- Research Oriented University
- Funding Opportunities
- Experienced Instructors
Dislikes
- Lack of enough Instructors for Computer Science Department
- Course Curriculum is not upto date for Computer Science Program
- No proper guidelines for Computer Sccience Program
Course Curriculum
8
- The course curriculum is tough when compared to other universities. It is a mix of both theoretical and practical knowledge.
- The fact that most of the courses offer practical knowledge helps me to hone my skills more when compared to India.
- Typically, there will be about 3 to 4 classes scheduled in a day and each class will be about 1 hour, 20 minutes of duration. The usual timing will be from morning 9am to evening 7pm.
- The averagenumberr of students in a class is 20.
- There are only 15 students who have enrolled in MSCS from India.
Admission Experience
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Auburn University at Montgomery - Admitted
California State University San Bernardino- Admitted
University of Houston- Rejected
Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago - Admitted
Ohio University, Athens (Transfer)
Out of the above-mentioned admitted universities, I went to Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) initially during Fall 2023. Although I worked as a Research Assistant in the first semester with 50% funding and a $1500 stipend per semester, I didn't like the course curriculum at AUM simply because it was too easy and not worth a Masters Degree. That's when I came across Ohio University and applied for it so that I can transfer for the Spring Semster 2024. - Earlier, the University of Houston rejected my application for MSCS. This is on my ambitious university list as it is a very good university that offers great curriculum and opportunities as well. I believe my field of study during undergrad, i.e., electronics and communications engineering, might be the reason why my application for this university is rejected despite having 34 months of work experience as a software engineer in IT.
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I chose AUM simply because of the low tuition fee, which is approximately 25000 USD to complete a Masters. I have been admitted to this university on an IELTS score. I have also submitted my GRE score, although it is not mandatory for admission. Eligibility Criteria is based on English Proficiency Test scores only, TOEFL IBT (minimum 61 points), IELTS (minimum 5.5 points), PTE (minimum 44), Duolingo (minimum 100), or the TOEFL PBT (minimum 500 points).
Later, I transferred to OU because of two reasons. The first one is due to very easy curriculum at AUM. The other reason is that OU offers great funding opportunities although the curriculum is very tough. Again, Eligibility Crieteria is based on English Proficiency Test scores only, iBT TOEFL: 80 composite, 17 all sections. IELTS Academic: 6.5 composite and across all bands. Paper TOEFL: 550 composite, 5 composition, 52 all other sections.
My admission process for both the universities went very smooth as I have managed to meet the requirements. My IELTS scores are: Listening: 7.5, Reading: 8, Writing: 6.5, Speaking: 6, Overall: 7. -
I applied for Spring 2024, I have already mentioned the factors that influenced in my decision for choosing Ohio University in the previous questions.The first one is due to very easy curriculum at AUM. The other reason is that OU offers great funding opportunities although the curriculum is very tough. There are other factors like safe location and university reputation which influenced my decision.
The admission deadline for spring semester is December 1. Since I'm a transfer student, it was December 15 for me.
Faculty
8
- The faculty to student ratio is 1:20. This ratio is very helpful for understanding the concepts clearly. It also offers us to ask more questions during the lecture rather than being crowed with a lot of students, which makes it tough for the instructor to answer all the students.
- Yes, every instructor can assist students in finding an on-campus job via reference. Coming to full-time jobs, I don't think any professor assists in referrals for full-time jobs.
Campus Life
8
- There are a lot of campuses of which I'm not really aware in the university, as this is a very big university.
- They have many facilities, including library sports stadiums, Ping Recreation Center, medical services, etc.
- The major festivals the university celebrates are Homecoming, Christmas, and Halloween. They don't celebrate any Indian festivals as this is located in the United States.
Part Time Jobs
- Ohio University offers various funding opportunities like teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and graduate assistantships. Eligibility criteria for TA and GA are to have a speaking score of at least 6.5 in IELTS and CGPA should be above 3 out of 4. As far as RA is concerned, it is subject to the professor's interests and your skills, etc. Apart from the above mentioned, a student has to opt for the thesis path in order to be considered for these positions.
- I have worked as a TA for 2 semester's. For students working as TA/GA, there will be a full tuition waiver and a stipend of up to $6,000 per semester. For RA, a stipend of up to $8,000 per semester with tuition waiver.
- On average, 10 to 15 students receive scholarships every semester.
- The other on-campus jobs available for students include culinary services, front desk associate jobs, etc. The pay for each of these would be about 10 to 12 dollars per hour.
- Students are only permitted to work for 20 hours a week only on campus for all the jobs mentioned above.
- At least 300 students earn on an hourly basis in the university by doing part-time jobs. I believe it is very easy for the students to get an on-campus job as there are abundant job opportunities for students at Ohio University like Culinary Services, Front Desk, TA, GA, RA, etc. There is a university portal where we can apply for on-campus jobs. It is a very simple website and easy to navigate through. While applying to any job, students will be asked to share a cover letter and resume.
Placement
6
- I believe it is subject to one's skills to secure a job. It can't really be predicted if a student who has graduated from this university will be able to secure a job in 6 months or not. The fact that we are international students has its own weight as well in this. Most of the companies are not willing to sponsor H1 for us even though we are highly skilled and experienced, which makes it tough for students to find jobs.
- I don't think this has anything to do with the university, as there won't be any on-campus hiring as in India. But one thing is for sure: students who complete their theses and graduate from this university will have better chances of securing a job than those from other universities.
Accommodation
Off Campus
8
- I have opted to stay off campus as staying on campus is too expensive, although it is very good.
- Off-campus, I'm staying in a community called Campus Heights; here I pay 950$ for a 2-bed, 1-bathroom apartment. I share with a friend; hence, I pay half of the amount mentioned. This includes all the utilities and electricity. We have to pay for wifi separately, which costs about $50 per month. So, in total, it's about $1,000.
- My experience is average with the place where I stay. It is still considered good for that price because it comes with furniture also. I would highly recommend it to any students planning to pursue their higher studies here.
- This place is just 1 mile away from the university. There is also a university shuttle scheduled for every 30 minutes.
Exams
- Eligibility Criteria is based on English Proficiency Test scores only; iBT TOEFL: 80 composite, 17 all sections. IELTS Academic: 6.5 composite and across all bands. Paper TOEFL: 550 composite, 5 composition, 52 all other sections. Apart from this, having a GRE score might be a bit handy, although it is not necessary for admission.
- A student has to submit a Statement of Purpose and 3 LOR's in order to apply for admission to Ohio University.
- There is no interview. Admission is solely based on requireddocuments submission.
Fees
- Total Fees for Course Completion for MSCS in OU is 45000$ approx., which includes the living expenses also for 4 semester's.
- It is charged credit-wise. If a student enrols for more than 9 credits, he will pay a tuition fee only for 9 credits; he will not be charged for the extra credits after 9.
- The monthly expenses would be approximately 700 dollars, which covers rent, transportation, and other regular expenses.
Scholarship
- Ohio University offers various funding opportunities like Teaching Assistanships, Research Assistanships and Graduate Assistanships. Eligibility criteria for TA and GA is to have a speaking score of at least 6.5 in IELTS and CGPA should be above 3 out of 4. As far as RA is concerned, it is subject to the professor's interests and your skills, etc. Apart from the above mentioned, a student has to opt for the thesis path in order to be considered for these positions.
- I have worked as a TA for 2 semester's. For students working as TA/GA, there will be a full tuition waiver and a stipend of up to $6,000 per semester. For RA, a stipend of up to $8,000 per semester with tuition waiver. On average, 10 to 15 students receive scholarships every semester.
