<p>I'm currently debating between CMU and Cornell for computer science. CMU has arguably the best computer science school in the US, while Cornell, although up there in prestige, is not quite as good as CMU. However, Cornell has much better all round courses than CMU. I do like CMU's atmosphere a little better than Cornell's, but I figure that Cornell's big enough that I can find a little slice of CMU in it anyway. Added into this mix is the ever tempting full tuition offer from Pitt. Even though I don't like Pitt very much, it is a almost full ride.
Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?</p>
<p>It sounds like your mind is already pretty much made up. If you want to study computer science, obviously CMU should be your first choice, if on top of that you prefer that campus, then I don’t know why you’re even asking this question.</p>
<p>On he other hand, if money is a vital issue, you should go for Pitt.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say my mind is made up. 
I have never actually had any experience with computer science. I just find the ideas that come out of it fascinating. The reason why I’m still debating is that, if I decide I don’t like comp sci, Cornell has other really good departments, whereas CMU really only has comp sci, business, and engineering (and I’m only really interested in the former).</p>
<p>Cornell students are getting paid 80k+ upon graduating from Computer Science and every student by their sophomore year are getting paid internships because of the heavy interest in Cornell’s Computer Science students. All this, according to Dean Huttenlocher (Computing and Information Science)</p>
<p>Throw out Pitt, this is b/n Cornell and CMU. With a college education, you get what you pay for and this is for life. </p>
<p>Cornell is still Tier One CompSci/Engineering, and you can take courses in cooking and horticulture and other fun stuff at Cornell. Cornell has much more developed humanities, like you said, as well as excellent compsci, business, and engineering.</p>
<p>Do some exploring into the programs of study that could interest you at both schools, report back with what you find…</p>
<p>
Then I don’t see why not go to Cornell? You don’t even know if you want to do Computer Science, so you should definitely go to Cornell since it has a WIDE array of departments that are great too. And the “ranking” for computer science departments don’t mean much. If you want to learn Computer Science, any OK university will do.</p>
<p>If you go to Pitt, you can take classes (one per semester) at CMU. If you hate Pitt and love the students and atmosphere at CMU, you could always transfer; you would lalready be familiar with the city. The schools are adjacent to each other.</p>
<p>What you must understand is that no one here will give you an honest opinion, everyone tries to get you to go to Cornell, allegedly the best school on the planet, at least according to these people.</p>
<p>You are 17 or more, you must already have an idea of what you want to do with your life. If you feel like Comp. Sci. go for the best school available to you. That’s all I’m saying.</p>
<p>^ What you say is not necessarily true. There have been a few posters who have recently gotten upset with Cornell advocates when they recommended schools other than Cornell. Most people at Cornell would prefer that prospective students not matriculate if they are not truly interested in the university, or if they think that they would clearly be a better fit somewhere else.</p>
<p>On another note, there are factors that should contribute to a student’s college selection which are in addition to their initial choice of major. Some students may be very interested in a minor, or a dual degree – or they may not really be sure that their current choice of major is ultimately the right one. Furthermore, things like campus vibe, regional location, school prestige, and extracurricular opportunity can, and should, influence their decision. The OP should pick his or her school after all ascertainable characteristics are given due weight; and that school may, or may not, be Cornell.</p>