Planning to MS but is it worth the money ?

[actaccord]

I am planning to do MS (Business Intelligence or Information Technologies) but not sure does it really give any additional values for my scenario

1) I have 8+yrs of IT exp
2) Have my BS (from India).
3) Working on H1 from 2008 with current employer 1yr.
4) Expecting to start GC from my employer in a year (ya thats what they told :confused: )
5) Not sure this MS will help in my GC
6) After research identified unva.edu offers MS (BI - $13.5K , IT - $15.7k) with better price and local to me. Not sure about the university yet, though they claim its accredited.
7) Cost of MS will increase $1k - $2k (if not registered in couple of week)
8) May not get salary increase based on MS.

It will be great if you could give some input/suggestion

[lord_labaku]

At this point, you have to do a lot of the decision yourself. An internet forum might misguide you.

Questions to ponder -

-Are you looking to add to your skills
-Are you looking for an upgraded resume - but can build skills on your own
-university reputation - how is it viewed down the lane. Is this a private (for profit ) university...look at how its viewed in the eyes of employers

[hpandey]

How much time is left in your H1?
Will your company file in EB2 if you complete your MS because if you file in EB3 even now ( let alone one year from now ) you are doomed to wait for 25-30 years .
How much time would it take for you to complete your MS?
Does your job description allow your company to file your labor in EB2 ?

[actaccord]

Company is not ready to discuss anything related to GC at this point. I am trying to qualify myself for EB2 if possible or if i am not eligible for EB2 with my current qualification & education.

It will take 2yrs (36 credits for MS-BI , 42 credits for MS-IT) but if time permits (for study) I can completed in 18months.

Current job is Senior Analyst (which requires BS with 5+yrs of experience), also my concern is there is good chances USCIS would change the rule (if not already) for EB2 qualification which may prevent my company to file in EB2.


How much time is left in your H1?
Will your company file in EB2 if you complete your MS because if you file in EB3 even now ( let alone one year from now ) you are doomed to wait for 25-30 years .
How much time would it take for you to complete your MS?
Does your job description allow your company to file your labor in EB2 ?

[actaccord]

-Are you looking to add to your skills - No
-Are you looking for an upgraded resume - but can build skills on your own - May be
-university reputation - how is it viewed down the lane. Is this a private (for profit ) university...look at how its viewed in the eyes of employers It is private and not sure how employers view this university.

At this point, you have to do a lot of the decision yourself. An internet forum might misguide you.

Questions to ponder -

-Are you looking to add to your skills
-Are you looking for an upgraded resume - but can build skills on your own
-university reputation - how is it viewed down the lane. Is this a private (for profit ) university...look at how its viewed in the eyes of employers

[go_guy123]

I am planning to do MS (Business Intelligence or Information Technologies) but not sure does it really give any additional values for my scenario

1) I have 8+yrs of IT exp
2) Have my BS (from India).
3) Working on H1 from 2008 with current employer 1yr.
4) Expecting to start GC from my employer in a year (ya thats what they told :confused: )
5) Not sure this MS will help in my GC
6) After research identified unva.edu offers MS (BI - $13.5K , IT - $15.7k) with better price and local to me. Not sure about the university yet, though they claim its accredited.
7) Cost of MS will increase $1k - $2k (if not registered in couple of week)
8) May not get salary increase based on MS.

It will be great if you could give some input/suggestion

MS in IT side is useless back in India...regarding future career growth in US, if you are born in India, GC is impossible. You need a reality check.

IT is now a commodity. Unlike the 90s employers don't pay a premium for MS.

[dilber]

In one word the Answer is NO!!!

The economic cost of education will far surpase the economic value that you are going to get from it.

But I will encourage to get a masters regardless; there are advantages of education that cannot be measured in terms of money. Studying in this country is a totally different experience then in India. You will most certainly learn a lot. If you do decide to do MS do it for the sake of education not for the money and then you will not be disappointed.

Regards. and Best of Luck

[stemcell]

Why not an MBA?
MBA seems to be hot these days.....Correct me if i am wrong.....

[go_guy123]

Why not an MBA?
MBA seems to be hot these days.....Correct me if i am wrong.....

Between MS and MBA, MBA makes more sense. But avoid expensive MBA, ROI doesn't work out if(in fact "when") you go back to India

[PHANI_TAVVALA]

If you are going for education then please don't go to UNVA. It is a crap university with no affiliation and even crappier programs. Trust me. Their quarter (runs for 12 weeks) and I know new students joining the class in 7th week. How bad can it be? All UNVA cares for is about money.

F.Y.I: I already have a M.S.M.E from U.S and M.B.A from a top-rated school in U.S. and I definitely have the qualifications to do the comparison.

[actaccord]

I appreciate you input, buy I would like to understand (b'cos I never did any edu in US) does other students joining quite late in the semester would affect us ?

Also what kind of affiliation we need to check for any university before joining ?


If you are going for education then please don't go to UNVA. It is a crap university with no affiliation and even crappier programs. Trust me. I go there b'cos I needed a CPT and I ran out of 6 years on H1B and I didn't apply for labor in time. This quarter (runs for 12 weeks) I have seen new students joining the class in 7th week. How bad can it be? All UNVA cares for is about money.

F.Y.I: I already have a M.S.M.E from U.S and M.B.A from a top-rated school in U.S. and I definitely have the qualifications to do the comparison.

[cmphr]

If you are serious about MS, stay away from UNVA.

But, if you only need a degree or CPT, go ahead and spend the money. It is worth getting a Masters from a good & reputed school than getting it from some shitty school. I would rather get a degree online from Univ of Phoenix.

[actaccord]

I am into coding and MBA doesn't add any value to my current job...also I would like to continue in technical task rather management ....I know I am not good at management (at least with past experience)...worked as PM for a year months...end up doing all technical works for my team members because of below average resources and company was not ready to get any decent resources....

[Leo07]

With 8+ years in IT, IMO MS will give you a shot in the arm. You will feel good to learn again and I'm sure that it'll benefit you. As Education always does...my belief anyways.

But, if you pick a 'junk' college the benefit may be marginal to negligible--so, my advice to you is to pick a good univ and not look for money, if you do MS at all.

I am planning to do MS (Business Intelligence or Information Technologies) but not sure does it really give any additional values for my scenario

1) I have 8+yrs of IT exp
2) Have my BS (from India).
3) Working on H1 from 2008 with current employer 1yr.
4) Expecting to start GC from my employer in a year (ya thats what they told :confused: )
5) Not sure this MS will help in my GC
6) After research identified unva.edu offers MS (BI - $13.5K , IT - $15.7k) with better price and local to me. Not sure about the university yet, though they claim its accredited.
7) Cost of MS will increase $1k - $2k (if not registered in couple of week)
8) May not get salary increase based on MS.

It will be great if you could give some input/suggestion

[PHANI_TAVVALA]

I appreciate you input, buy I would like to understand (b'cos I never did any edu in US) does other students joining quite late in the semester would affect us ?

Also what kind of affiliation we need to check for any university before joining ?

You are not getting it. It is not about you not being affected by other students joining late. It is about the quality of school admissions and education as a whole. If you go to any of the better rated schools they won't let any students join in after the registration period. This is to prevent class disruption and as well as be just to the student and have him not unduly burdened with additional class work or be discriminated against by the Professor. Good schools will also be worried about the quality of students graduating from the school as it will eventually affect the school reputation (it is just like selling quality product/software to client so that you get repeat or future clients based on reputation of delivering quality product/service).

UNVA is antitheseis of a good school. It has been trying for some affiliation with some unknown organization. Lot of good M.B.A schools are AACSB certified but they would not touch UNVA with a barge pole.

Students hardly come to classes and still get an A. Assignments are regularly palgiarised b'cos most of them don't know how to solve them in the first place. If you go to a good school you will have to work hard to earn your degree which will be more fulfilling to you. So decide and choose carefully.

[actaccord]

Now I got it :)

Thanks for your valuable input/suggestion.

You are not getting it. It is not about you not being affected by other students joining late. It is about the quality of school admissions and education as a whole. If you go to any of the better rated schools they won't let any students join in after the registration period. This is to prevent class disruption and as well as be just to the student and have him not unduly burdened with additional class work or be discriminated against by the Professor. Good schools will also be worried about the quality of students graduating from the school as it will eventually affect the school repuration (it is just like selling quality product/software to client so that you get repeat or future clients based on reputation of delivering quality product/service).

UNVA is antitheseis of a good school. It has been trying for some affiliation with some unknown organization. Lot of good M.B.A schools are AACSB certified but they would not touch UNVA with a barge pole. So decide and choose carefully.

[frostrated]

Honestly, doing your MS is not worth it while still in GC application phase.
With BS+8 years of experience, you can get EB2 status. Even with MS, if your position does not require MS or the salary is not as high as MS standards, you will still be EB3.

My 2 cents, get your GC, and then get MS. The fees you pay as a permanent resident is 1/3rd what you will pay as an out-state resident. I've done my MBA here, but the return on investment is not worth it. I would have made more and possibly had my greencard by now had I not gone to school.

[rb_248]

If you are planning to invest time and money, think about it. I have heard several MS and MBA stories where people are not able to freely take the return on the investment until they are free from the mercy of USCIS.

MS and PhD from top 20 universities and MBA from top 30 are the only ones that are finding true value for their education if they are on H1. I have a MS from the top 50. But, I don't need the MS for what I am doing but needed it for my GC.

Think well. Also, this is just a forum.....dont take what you get from here as it is. Do some research.

Talk to the college profs, career services, alumni and see if you are convinced. In my opinion BS degrees from many of the Indian universities are better than MS programs of many of the American universities.

......just my 2 cents

[saratswain]

Dear Friend:
First, look at education as an investment you make on yourself. A house will come and go, education makes you empowered and I am not making a statement, it is true. It opens up doors for you in many scenarios. True, some lucky ones get opportunity without education but they should not be your role model. A college drop out doesn't mean a successful entrepreneur.

I would like to brainstorm on this :
# Will a higher degree help me in a 10 year period ? For example can you expand the degree for shaping up your life in next 10-15 years ?
# Is a higher degree preferred in my job ?
# Is it going to help me to think differently ?
# Will I be able to build good contacts ?
# Will I be able to create a network to build my own ideas or join ideas ?

If you do not go out how can you know what exists outside ? Just imagine 10 years from now and see what you need.

If you are in Boston area, I can suggest some courses which you can take part time.

My good wishes.

[pmpforgc]

BS degrees from many of the Indian universities are better than MS programs of many of the American universities.

......just my 2 cents

I completely disagree with this statement. There are good institutions and poor institutions in both the country. In general US education system is lot better as their graduates can do lot of stuff that our engineer just some time mostly read and pass in exam. We need to change our education system in India to more out put and skill oriented from current exam oriented system. Any one who has experinece with education in both countries at relatively good school will understand this difference

This is a big discussion we can not complete on this thread.

Also in recent 10-15 years thousands of technical education institution has comeup for profit in India every where who just take money and distribute degrees. Any degree from any such institution does not worth the paper on which it is written on. Indian education system is detoriating day by day because of rise of PERCENTAGE of such institution.

Problems with US education system is lack of motivated and hard working students. Mainly because easily available basic neccessities of the life. Otherwise education system is not that bad as you said in above statement.

[saratswain]

To continue my earlier post, here is a website which will give you what I mention about avenues. Few people in the class (evening class, part-time mostly), found each other compatible to share ideas, launch a program and the result is this Embryo Creative: Ideas Born Here (http://www.embryocreativegroup.com).

Remember, school is the best place where you meet people without an agenda. There you can freely bounce ideas, be a student, a learner, an experimenter without much thought.

Part-time or full-time? Part time is better, it gives you a good mix of life.. you need support from your family and/or yourself. It also helps you to manage your finance and time.

I would even go as far as telling that in this environment each of us should go back to school every 7-8 years for a 1 year part-time/full time period.

I am not academician :)

[ksvreg]

I did MS with following reasons in mind. These are pure personal. See if it helps for you.
I had BSC/PGDCA from India. I had less credits to start with MS. I was told to do some additonal credits to bridge to MS. I decided to go for another BS in CIS for filling the gap which I finished in one year and got BS in CIS. Finally I ended up having two Bachelor degrees. One from India and One from USA. And then I took MS in CIS. I completed it in 10months. Got honors. 3.92 GPA

- My father deserved it
- My dream since childhood (not MS but some higher studies MTech like that)
- I can grab EB2 opportunity if come across
- I can not earn in one day or can not buy it if required
- I had mild Inferiority complex on my BSC/PDGCA education when I compare my self with B.E, M.Tech, MS, MCA though I am a very good programmer.
- Inspiration by seeing other MS students
- One time investment if you think that way
- If I have joined for 1 lakh donation in india in 1987/88, the cost would be same now if you think that way
- Future outsourcing effects.. Filtered people? MBA is also plus.
- Shines my resume
- I have competition in studies since childhood
- Lot of young kids have MS, I feel shamed not to have
- My kids can feel proud of me when they grown

Some of these look like a comprimise to do MS. If so, yes they could be.

[Suva]

What is CIS?

I did MS with following reasons in mind. These are pure personal. See if it helps for you.
I had BSC/PGDCA from India. I had less credits to start with MS. I was told to do some additonal credits to bridge to MS. I decided to go for another BS in CIS for filling the gap which I finished in one year and got BS in CIS. Finally I ended up having two Bachelor degrees. One from India and One from USA. And then I took MS in CIS. I completed it in 10months. Got honors. 3.92 GPA

- My father deserved it
- My dream since childhood (not MS but some higher studies MTech like that)
- I can grab EB2 opportunity if come across
- I can not earn in one day or can not buy it if required
- I had mild Inferiority complex on my BSC/PDGCA education when I compare my self with B.E, M.Tech, MS, MCA though I am a very good programmer.
- Inspiration by seeing other MS students
- One time investment if you think that way
- If I have joined for 1 lakh donation in india in 1987/88, the cost would be same now if you think that way
- Future outsourcing effects.. Filtered people? MBA is also plus.
- Shines my resume
- I have competition in studies since childhood
- Lot of young kids have MS, I feel shamed not to have
- My kids can feel proud of me when they grown

Some of these look like a comprimise to do MS. If so, yes they could be.

[Ennada]

What is CIS?

The only CIS I know is USCIS and I don't like it. Well, I am just a dumb Civil Engineer :D

[nmdial]

Ask yourself what you want out of MS. If its money, then MS is definitely not advisable. If its your academic development, then yes its a first step. If you want both money and academic development, MBA from a good school may be answer...but remember this: One cannot have their cake and eat it too.

[ksvreg]

What is CIS?

computer information systems