Name: Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, Arizona, USA.
Webpage: http://asu.edu
Degree: MSE (ongoing since 2007).
Considered a desert state in USA, Arizona has 2 famous universities,
Arizona State University and University of Arizona, both almost equally famous
and both in the top 100. For a desert climate, ASU has a large number of Indian
and that too mainly in Engineering. ASU has 4 campuses, the Tempe one being the
most famous as well as popular.
I would limit my comments to Engineering stuff as I am admitted into this program
and due to the fact that most of you viewing this site are people taking up engineering.
Computer Science as in many colleges is a safe bet at ASU in terms of job, research
and internships. I know it is split in many subdivisions, but with companies like
Google, Microsoft, Cisco; opportunities are never less.
VLSI is considered really good in Electrical Engineering to such an extent that students
admitted to other branches have changed their specialization. Life is hard in VLSI because
the coursework is new for students from India and also due to the huge number of admits
given to students, which inturn increases the pressure. They say that the job scenario is good
but wouldnt comment on that as this industry is suffering the pain of recession.
Research and Internships are the things even I am looking forward to after a year here.
Communication is also an interesting field at ASU. Research is good in both these fields
given the condition that you are funded by any professor in this matter.
Other than that Nanotech, Power and Control are the fields where people are
comfortable doing research and later on a decent job.
Regarding On-Campus jobs, they pay between anywhere between $7-12,
the least paying one being with a department. With a work permit of 20 hrs/week,
students make enough money to pay their rents (goes to 250$ per head/month for 4 students in an apartment)
and for groceries. Jobs are quite enough to absorb all Indian students
given the condition that we are ready to work. And ya this country runs on reference.
If you haven't realized that yet, then better wake up.