Best CS program to choose from - UWash, Purdue and UWisc

College Search & Selection
1

I have been accepted to
UWash Seattle
Wisconsin Madison and
Purdue

My intended major is Computer Science and I am an International student

I have an inclination towards UWash but the problem is that the department is so small that the counselor sent a mail saying that it’s very tough to get into CS and I should be mentally prepared in case I don’t get CS. For the first year every student (barring a few residents) everyone gets a general degree and they have to apply to the CS department later.
My question is - IS CS @UWash WORTH THE RISK?

I’m not planning to go to UWisc because of the financial problems that the university is currently undergoing and I actually dont want to burden my parents financially any further.

2

??? Cost is the same for you, no? Even with Madison’s problems with WI, I would go there. Employers could care less. They only care about the quality of the department and the graduates. But be aware that working in the US afterwards would be quite difficult regardless.

3

Yes cost is the same for me in all these colleges
Just that WI may go higher and I wouldnt want that to happen if I go to that university

4

Unlikely to go that much higher.

They have already raised OOS/international tuition to market rates. How much more do you think they would be able to raise them? If they raise them to much above UIUC/PU, they would lose internationals/OOS to those schools and bring in less money. Basic economics.

5

okay
keeping that aside

how would you compare the CS departments of the three universities??

6

Hey!! I’m in the same boat, too. I’m torn between UW pre-science, UIUC cs, and U of Toronto. good luck:)

7

Hi there @Isabelll
Congratulations on your acceptances

Now its just that make a wise decision as to where you should go

8

If you are have assured admission to the CS major at Wisconsin and Purdue, I think it is risky to choose University of Washington. Apparently only about 25% of Udub students who apply to the CS department are accepted. The admissions process to the major is holistic and you have to write an essay.

9

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19262574/#Comment_19262574

If you are not directly admitted to the CS major:

Wisconsin looks pretty easy to get into the CS major.
Purdue does not look that hard.
Washington looks fairly difficult.

10

I’d like your chances of getting into the CS major at Washington (assuming you apply yourself to your studies) if your stats are around the top 25% of the class (that is, above a 3.85 UW GPA and 32+ ACT (33 M)/2100+ SAT (730 M)).

Congratulations on your acceptances and good luck!

11

@Isabelll, are costs the same for you?

International as well?

12

@PurpleTitan I’m OOS in UW and UIUC, international a UofT, costs the same

13

@isabelll : if you got into CS at uiuc that’s what I’d take. Despite Illinois ’ problems, it’s still a tippy top program that’s highly thought of an recruited throughout the country.

14

@ciervo @ucbalumnus @UWfromCA
Thanks a lot for your views

@PurpleTitan @MYOS1634
I would appreciate if you answer my query too

15

Uwisconsin is close to uwash in quality and outcomes for CS and you’re sure to have the major you chose. Since it costs the same as the other,s, that’s what I’d pick.

16

I had already stated my opinion above, though how are the schools perceived in your home country? Without a green card/citizenship, working in the US would be pretty difficult.

17

@MYOS1634
Thank you

Btw what about Purdue?

18

U Wisc and uWash are the two universities where CS is really highly viewed.

Purdue is a good university with definite strengths in engineering but its reputation for cs isnt at the same level as the other two.

19

@PurpleTitan
Frankly, in India I think most people have only heard only about Purdue
Atleast that is what I have understood from my interactions with others

20

@MYOS1634
I thought so
Thanks anyways