<p>Right now I'm deciding on whether to do ED Cornell for engineering (specifically computer science) or Columbia SEAS (engineering school). I realize that Cornell is much stronger than Columbia for comp sci (ranked #5 vs. #17), but I have to factor in $30k additional debt. Based on this, which would you recommend me to apply to?</p>
<p>where is the 30k additional debt? and columbia has got a great CS dept with good job placement (even if the rankings don’t reflect this), you should be choosing based on where you want to study, you might end up majoring in something completely different from CS.</p>
<p>the $30000 additional debt is from the differences in their financial aid policies, and yes. I am very sure I want to do CS.</p>
<p>Go to Columbia. Not only will you get an excellent engineering degree, you’ll also learn how to write and think well (thanks to your dose of the Core Curriculum). You can thank me later.</p>
<p>is this really a tough decision? Columbia is a better school with smarter students and yes this includes SEAS. Cornell engineering is just ranked a little higher. You’ll have better options coming out of Columbia anyway like Wall Street. If you want a purely fulfilling computer science education go to Carnegie Mellon or something.</p>