<p>Hey guys, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. My (top) choices are between CMU's SCS and Cal's EECS, both of which are top-notch programs. I'm a Cali resident, so Cal's the cheaper choice financially, though I'm hoping for some money from CMU since I got some nice $$ from Cornell. But anyway, my problem is that I can't visit CMU. I had plans to go this week, but my mom canceled on me (and wasted $300 in refund processing fee. :|), and I won't have a chance to go before the May 1st deadline for SIR's. Since I can't visit the school, I'm relying on you, CC, to help me decide.</p>
<p>I like a smaller school like CMU in comparison to Cal, and I would love to get away (some more, Cal's not close enough for my parents to drop in on me every weekend). But I don't have a strong tolerance for the cold (or the warmth, I think my body's temperature control system is broken D: ), and I don't know what Pittsburgh is like. Also, the travel is going to be an issue with CMU, at least, I hear some bad things about planes to and from Pittsburgh in the winter-time.</p>
<p>So, questions:
What is Pittsburgh like in comparison to the Silicon Valley?
Just what are the differences between the programs themselves, if any?
I'm looking to do computer science, hopefully with a minor in art. Is this even possible, considering how there's little to no course overlaps between the two? (goes for both schools)</p>
<p>Honestly, Cal at in-state tution is a hell of a deal. You mentioned your low tolerance for extreme weather? Well, I live here and its not so peachy. It gets very cold and can get very hot sometimes too but mostly winters are just long and bitterly cold (snowey too). Other than that though Pittsburgh is nice though it probably doesn’t match up to the social life in Cali. Also, I think CMU is ranked higher in computer science than Cal but that is really not an issue at all. Both top notch as you said. Unless money really is not an issue for you, I think Cal would be the best unless you are really really sick of California.</p>
<p>We looked at Berkeley and for OOS I didn’t think it was worth it. I worried that sophomore housing wasn’t guaranteed, I didn’t like the impacted majors deal (but it sounds like you are already in EECS) and I thought the diversity was a problem. I also like LA better than SF. Pittsburgh is a nice city, there are lots of colleges including Pitt which is a stone’s throw from CMU. Carnegie Mellon is in a more residential neighborhood than Cal’s front yard, but it’s only a five minute walk to busier commercial areas. Lots of restaurants nearby. It rains a lot in Pittsburgh - I don’t think it’s particularly cold - more or less the same as NY - but of course that means plenty of freezing weather and snow. The CMU campus is quite pretty yellow brick buildings with green tile roofs around contained green spaces. There’s a very nice public park right next door as well. </p>
<p>I think there’s something to be said for using your college years to get to know another part of the country. </p>
<p>The School of Computer Science is run by a bunch of really dynamic guys - think Randy Pausch - though there was at least one dud in some course my son had to take. My son who is no slouch has been working really, really hard. Since SCS requires you to minor in something - as far as I know minoring in art shouldn’t be an issue. (THey like to talk about the student who minored in bagpipes - though most kids minor in related things like math or physics or robotics.) It’s pretty amazing to have 200 or so profs available and be surrounded by so many serious computer nerds. I didn’t really explore Berkeley’s offerings enough to compare, but SCS is a pretty amazing place more than just a department - being a school within a school means it’s a more intense experience.</p>
<p>Definitely see if CMU will sweeten the deal, but it’s hard to say which way to jump. Only you can do that calculaiton.</p>
<p>I’m a CMU SCS alum who’s living in Silicon Valley. If you know you’re going to major in Computer Science, then Carnegie Mellon is the best choice outside of Stanford or MIT. </p>
<p>It’s a much smaller school and you’ll get much more personal attention. The small size is particularly valuable if you’re interested in research opportunities.</p>