Brown vs. Columbia for CS?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I've been accepted to both Brown and Columbia SEAS, though the latter named me a C. Prescott Davis Scholar (still have no idea about it, but from what I've read, it does not necessarily entail extra financial aid). I like Brown's open curriculum and that it has more campus life than Columbia, but the "wow factor" of Columbia is impressive as well.</p>

<p>I guess I'm most concerned about job placement, in the end--will I have an easier time getting internships/jobs as a student of either one of the schools, or are they both about the same?</p>

2

<p>Columbia. I needn’t explain why. Startups in NYC + better academic reputation + better CS department.</p>

<p>The Davis scholarship is just something shiny to put on your resume. It’s actual benefits aren’t that great.</p>

3

<p>There’s this link with a little out-dated info on CompSci (and math) rankings of colleges:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/447318-brown-columbia-duke-rice-vanderbilt-math-computer-science.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/447318-brown-columbia-duke-rice-vanderbilt-math-computer-science.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Scroll down a bit for compsci</p>

<p>I’d say it’s about the same, really, at this caliber. It is just if you prefer NYC vs Providence, Core vs no-Core, and of course, your preferences based on visits (I guess, your “fit”)</p>

4

<p>Brown has an excellent CS program and the open curriculum give you a great deal of flexibility. Brown’s primary focus is on undergraduate teaching, where it ranks near the top (Columbia is not on the list). The CS Department has a well-organized system that gives top students the chance to become undergraduate TAs and, in the process, work closely with well-known professors.</p>

<p>[Best</a> Undergraduate Teaching | Rankings | Top National Universities | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching]Best”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching)</p>

<p>Also, you can get combination degrees at Brown in CS/math, CS/applied math and CS/economics. All the top tech firms recruit at Brown (Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and top consulting firms), although I imagine they likely all visit Columbia as well, considering its location and reputation.</p>