MILA vs Polytechnique Montreal: reapply or move on? [D]

Reddit r/MachineLearning / 4/21/2026

💬 OpinionIdeas & Deep AnalysisIndustry & Market Moves

Key Points

  • The writer was accepted to Polytechnique Montréal’s professional master’s program but rejected from MILA, with MILA suggesting they complete a minor in computer science to strengthen eligibility.
  • They are weighing whether to do the CS minor and reapply to MILA (which could take 3–4 years) versus going directly to Poly to finish in 2 years and start building professional experience sooner.
  • Their background includes software development and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, and their main goal is to learn ML/DL to advance an international career.
  • The rejection reason was insufficient computer science coursework, and they wonder whether completing a year at Poly and then reapplying to MILA could close that gap.
  • They ask for advice on the best course of action given the trade-offs between program fit, theoretical foundations, timeline, and career acceleration.

Hi,

I applied to two professional master’s programs this year, one at MILA and one at Polytechnique Montréal. I got accepted at Poly, but rejected from MILA, and they suggested I complete a minor in computer science instead.

I’m trying to figure out whether it’s actually worth doing the minor and reapplying to MILA, or if I should just go straight to Poly.

I already have a background in software development, a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and my main goal is to learn ML/DL to boost my career internationally.

That said, I feel like the minor + MILA path could still be a strong option. If I got into Poly once, I could probably get in again later, and with a minor, I’d strengthen my theoretical foundations. But that would take 3–4 years.

On the other hand, with Poly, I can finish in 2 years and start gaining professional experience sooner.

Also, the reason I was rejected from MILA is that I didn’t have enough computer science coursework during my engineering degree. So I’m wondering whether doing one year at Poly and then reapplying to MILA could be enough to bridge that gap.

What would you do in my position?

submitted by /u/Akumetsu_971
[link] [comments]