CS College Decision

[AFB]

I'm planning to major in computer science, and I've narrowed it down to two schools.

(1)U. Texas at Dallas
(2)U. Texas at Austin (Main UT campus)

(1) has practically offered me a full ride, and since it's only a 20 minute commute I could realisticly live at home till I got tired of it. It's a pretty good school known for its science programs mostly EE and Computer Engineering. It also has backing from Texas Instruments which is building a large research facility/fab plant next door.

(2) is ranked number 7 in computer science nationally and has a very good honors program. Additionally, it has a top ranked CS grad school. It's also a much larger campus which I like. The problem is I more like likely would get absolutely nothing in aide.

I'm planning on possibly pursuing a grad or PhD afterwards as research interests me.

Which would you choose?

 

[Umberger]

If you're planning on getting a Masters or PhD afterwards, save the money and go to Dallas and live at home. The school name on your doctorate will be much more important than the name on your Bachelors.

 

[slpaulson]

Don't communte unless you absolutely must.

 

[BrownTown]

Well, personally I got into a college that was #3 in what I wanted to do, and another that was like #40, and I went to the #40 one becasue it offered me a better financial package. Realalistically the college you go to doesnt matter nearly as much as some people would want you to believe. So long as its a respectable school and you have good grades you will be fine. Also, if you are going to grad school then your grad school will be what people look at. Also, remeber if you go to a better school your grades will likely be lower, so it might end up cancelling out the prestige of the schools name if your grades are also lower.

 

[fatpat268]

I got a friend in the CS program at UT austin... he likes it, but be prepared to do A LOT of work.

I know, it's not any help to your situation, but I'd figure I'd chime in with that comment. I'd say you should go to austin, but that's just me.

 

[mlm]

I chose Austin, but I never even considered UTD.

As far as financial aid goes, unless your parents make too much, you should be able to at least get a good chunk in grants/federal loans.

Curriculum-wise I can't compare them, but I don't think it's too hard. Then again, I'm going for a BA rather than BS. As such I've managed to go quite a while without having to do any actual programming.

If you want to do grad school at UT-A though, don't go here for undergrad. I've heard that it's really hard to stay here for grad school unless you're really popular with the professors.

 

[mugs]

What is the tuition at UT Austin?

I would lean toward UT Dallas unless the tuition is pretty cheap, but don't live at home.

Your own abilities are worth a lot more than the name on your diploma. The name on your diploma will help you get your first job and can help with networking, but if you're good at what you do that shouldn't matter.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: mlm
Curriculum-wise I can't compare them, but I don't think it's too hard. Then again, I'm going for a BA rather than BS. As such I've managed to go quite a while without having to do any actual programming.

You're getting a BA in computer science? And you've managed to go quite a while without having to do any actual programming? What's the point then? Is that similar to a MIS degree?

 

[Drakkon]

Dont choose a college based on its academic standing or program package or whatever. Choose a college you'll be happy at. I had offers from 3 major universities for full rides and an offer from 1 tiny one but a full ride too. I went to the tiny one cause it was in a moutain town, had some of my better friends going there, and let me get away from parents. It was the best decision I have ever made. I ended up giving up on my cs major not because their program sucked but because i found out it wasnt for me. I instead went with another program that was just as interesting and the professors proved to be a lot better. I feel i ended up with a great education, had a great time, and from what my friends that did go to the big schools told me they didnt have even half the experience i did before they dropped out cause they felt overworked.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: mlm
Curriculum-wise I can't compare them, but I don't think it's too hard. Then again, I'm going for a BA rather than BS. As such I've managed to go quite a while without having to do any actual programming.

You're getting a BA in computer science? And you've managed to go quite a while without having to do any actual programming? What's the point then? Is that similar to a MIS degree?

Well you have a lot more freedom in the classes you chose with a BA rather than a BS, so I've been picking courses that are more logic or discussion-based rather than programming intensive (probably not the wisest decision, but I was bored out of my mind with the degree at the time).

I wouldn't say it's similar to MIS though. You're still learning ABOUT programming, you're just not actually doing it. That's what made me quit the degree for a while though--too much theory, not enough practice.

Originally posted by: mugs
What is the tuition at UT Austin?

Natural Sciences is a flat $3988 for 12+ hours this year, per semester.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: mlm

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: mlm
Curriculum-wise I can't compare them, but I don't think it's too hard. Then again, I'm going for a BA rather than BS. As such I've managed to go quite a while without having to do any actual programming.

You're getting a BA in computer science? And you've managed to go quite a while without having to do any actual programming? What's the point then? Is that similar to a MIS degree?

Well you have a lot more freedom in the classes you chose with a BA rather than a BS, so I've been picking courses that are more logic or discussion-based rather than programming intensive (probably not the wisest decision, but I was bored out of my mind with the degree at the time).

I wouldn't say it's similar to MIS though. You're still learning ABOUT programming, you're just not actually doing it. That's what made me quit the degree for a while though--too much theory, not enough practice.

Well if you want to do it for a career, you might want to take more programming classes.

Originally posted by: mugs
What is the tuition at UT Austin?

Natural Sciences is a flat $3988 for 12+ hours this year, per semester.

That's not bad at all... Adding in room and board, it's probably still under $15k a year. That could be worth it for the relative ease of finding a job right out of school and the networking opportunities in the future. And it would force the OP to not be too dependant on his parents. My brother goes to college near my parents' house... he's a sophomore and he still doesn't know how to do laundry because he brings it home every weekend!

On the other hand going to school near home could make it easier to find a job near home, if the OP wants to stay in Dallas. Depends on what kind of company the OP wants to work for.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: mugs
Well if you want to do it for a career, you might want to take more programming classes.

Hah, you'd think so with the developers at my previous job. That's what's made me go BACK to the degree--they were so bad, I knew I could do better.

Anyway, they do have 1 hour classes in Java, C#, etc. that you can take.

 

[everman]

Do the full ride at Dallas, interns with TI next door, get a masters/phd somewhere else.

 

[chambersc]

#2 for sure. You have to pay to play.

 

[tfinch2]

Goto UT-D for undergrad and UT for grad school.

I got a full ride to UT-D, but I wanted to live closer to San Antonio because of my GF. I also got a full ride to St. Edward's University in Austin, so I went there instead. I plan to goto UT for grad school in CS.

 

[jaybert]

UT austin, unless you plan on getting a masters/phd afterwards, then just do well wherever you decide and you should be ok.

The name of your school matters when it comes to applying to jobs after undergrad. Good schools = good companies recruiting there, and even if the same company is recruiting at 2 different schools, the better one you should higher salary offers. That said, UTD isnt bad for CS (I live about 15 minutes from there), so its really not choosing between 2 schools where 1 is REALLY good, and 1 is REALLY bad.


Where did you see that UT is ranked #7 btw? I'm pretty sure you're looking at the Computer Engineering rankings (if you're looking @ usnews.com, since they dont actually have a CS ranking I dont think)

EDIT: I forgot, since it says you are interested in research, I would suggest the PhD instead of a masters once you're done w/ undergrad if you want to get into the real hardcore theoretical research area

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: jaybert


The name of your school matters when it comes to applying to jobs after undergrad. Good schools = good companies recruiting there, and even if the same company is recruiting at 2 different schools, the better one you should higher salary offers. That said, UTD isnt bad for CS (I live about 15 minutes from there), so its really not choosing between 2 schools where 1 is REALLY good, and 1 is REALLY bad.

Well, the main attraction is their Turing Scholar program where you're one of 40 in small CS classes (rare I know). They also pimp you infront of recuriters and help you get good internships during the summer.

Originally posted by: jaybert
Where did you see that UT is ranked #7 btw? I'm pretty sure you're looking at the Computer Engineering rankings (if you're looking @ usnews.com, since they dont actually have a CS ranking I dont think)

EDIT: I forgot, since it says you are interested in research, I would suggest the PhD instead of a masters once you're done w/ undergrad if you want to get into the real hardcore theoretical research area

I was looking more towards the PhD. They rank grad schools including CompSci as well.

Originally posted by: mlm
I chose Austin, but I never even considered UTD.


As far as financial aid goes, unless your parents make too much, you should be able to at least get a good chunk in grants/federal loans.

They do make too much. We have no chance of any money, but its all tied up and stuff. They've offered to pay for either, so....

Originally posted by: mlm
Curriculum-wise I can't compare them, but I don't think it's too hard. Then again, I'm going for a BA rather than BS. As such I've managed to go quite a while without having to do any actual programming.

If you want to do grad school at UT-A though, don't go here for undergrad. I've heard that it's really hard to stay here for grad school unless you're really popular with the professors.

Why is that? Do they dislike their students that much?

 

[Imdmn04]

UT at Austin for sure

CS degrees aren't worth much these days unless its from a top 10 program.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: AFB

Originally posted by: mlm
Curriculum-wise I can't compare them, but I don't think it's too hard. Then again, I'm going for a BA rather than BS. As such I've managed to go quite a while without having to do any actual programming.

If you want to do grad school at UT-A though, don't go here for undergrad. I've heard that it's really hard to stay here for grad school unless you're really popular with the professors.

Why is that? Do they dislike their students that much?

I don't think it's that at all. They just want to encourage diversity.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
CS degrees aren't worth much these days unless its from a top 10 program.

Do you know that from experience? I know many people who are recent graduates with CS degrees that are not from a top 10 program who are just fine.

 

[Juno]

so what is the choice #3?

 

[Kilrsat]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
UT at Austin for sure

CS degrees aren't worth much these days unless its from a top 10 program.

CS degrees are worthless even from top 10 programs, if you don't prepare yourself appropriately. A lot of what you do to make you more attractive to a prospective employer is outside the classroom work. If all you do is go to class everyday and think when it comes graduation time that you'll have employers beating down your door, this is your wake up call. There are thousands of others just like you, and that's why you need to do something to distinguish yourself. If you can come right out of college and not need 5 months of training in the real workplace, you really are ahead of most of your peers.

I've done interviews at UT-Austin, many of the CS students there graduating with a BS still aren't ready to jump right into the workforce and be productive.

 

[Imdmn04]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
CS degrees aren't worth much these days unless its from a top 10 program.

Do you know that from experience? I know many people who are recent graduates with CS degrees that are not from a top 10 program who are just fine.

I didn't really mean non-top 10 is worthless, but certainly a step below once you are out in the job market.

I went to Univ of Washington (which has a top 10 CS program), though I was not a CS major, I did routinely see graduates from that major land 60k+ jobs. Tech companies such as Msft fight for those kids.

You can also do fine with none-top 10 program, you will still land decent jobs ranging from 40k-55k, but just not highly as coveted at grads from top 10 programs. Tech firms will recruit from top schools first.

I am sorry that I have to put everything in the perspective of money, while not the most accurate way to measure success, it is a standard that everybody is familar with.

 

[timosyy]

I can't stand commuter colleges (tried it for a year).

Of your two choices I'd say UT-Austin (amazing college town).

 

[fire400]

you have to be more well rounded if you expect to get ahead of the gang.