UIUC MCS(-DS) vs GT OMSCS?

As you might know, I graduated from UIUC’s MCS-DS program in August 2020 and got a Spring 2021 admission to Georgia Tech’s OMSCS at the same time. I had to defer my starting date in OMSCS to Fall 2021 due to personal reasons, but I gathered some information and experienced a bit of GT’s OMSCS.

Today, just before I wrap up my work, someone who got admission from both MCS and OMSCS programs asked me my opinions and thoughts about both programs.

I wrote a few comments for him, and it gets longer and longer. It became long enough at some point and made me think…