<p>With the rejection from Cornell University, I am looking for other colleges with Good computer science department. I have 3 Ivies(Columbia, Penn, and Brown) and 2 safeties (Stony, Binghampton) on my list. I already applied to UIUC and Michigan. </p>
<p>I am leaning more towards LAC since I've been hearing many good things about LAC. Can you recommend me some good LAC schools (reach and match)? and what are some cons of LAC beside less student body and classes?</p>
<p>Also, can you recommend me some private universities with good CS that are not super selective (I'd like "some" selective tho)??</p>
<p>Requirements, so to speak, for my choices would be
- Good reputation (name many people will recognize) [there are reasons! haha]
- Good CS
- Not too urban like. suburban or somewhat rural would be nice.
- good financial aid</p>
<p>To recap for those who are lazy!
- good LAC with good CS ?
- Match and low reach LAC and University with good CS</p>
<p>NY student.</p>
<p>GPA: 98 (weighted)
rank: 10% of 420
SAT: 2140 (CR: 670 Math: 760 W: 710)
with some good ECs such as founding member of company that makes websites.</p>
<p>What you want to do to assess the quality of the CS department is look in the school’s course catalog and schedules to check that the following junior/senior level courses are offered at reasonable frequency:</p>
<p>algorithms and complexity
theory of computation, languages, and automata
operating systems
compilers
databases
networks
software engineering
security and cryptography
computer architecture
electives of your interest like artificial intelligence, graphics, etc.</p>
<p>Some small schools have cross registration agreements with larger schools (e.g. Barnard with Columbia, or the four LACs with University of Massachusetts). These can expand the course catalog, but check to see if the cross registration is convenient (may require significant commuting, may be limited by either your enrolled school or the school hosting the course, may have problems due to different academic calendars and final exam schedules, etc.).</p>
<p>Of course, you want to check the school’s net price calculator for a financial aid estimate.</p>
<p>Some of the PA schools might work such as Lafayette, Bucknell, Franklin & Marshall and Lehigh (the last is a mid-sized university).</p>
<p>There are many threads on the difference between a university and a LAC so hunt around CC for them. It really boils down to the type of college experience you want.</p>
<p>My son is a HS senior interested in studying CS, but he wasn’t really interested in looking at any LACs. They’re not really his style, plus our feeling is that it’s hard to get in-depth CS at a LAC. It depends what your interests and preferences are.</p>
<p>Although there are certainly great LAC’s, in terms of educational quality in CS, but depending on the school there are a lot of down sides. I have found that the major difference is in your preference towards school size and enviroment</p>