Computer Science at UChicago

<p>Hey, I was admitted early action to UChicago, and I would really like to attend.</p>

<p>I would like to major in Computer Science, but now I'm worried that UChicago would not be such a decent place for Computer Science. I know that its graduate school is only ranked around 35 for computer science, but that could partially be because of the department's small size and other factors that don't contribute to a good undergraduate education.</p>

<p>I'm fine with a small department and its emphasizes on theory, but I'm concerned with other things that don't seem to have been addressed before in other posts. Like:
Are the classes well taught and structured by professors?
Even with the importance placed on theory, will time also be spent on actual application?
Will there be a sufficient number of other students at UChicago that are also really interested in CS?
Will I be able to find good internships during the summer and get into a good graduate school?</p>

<p>If any current Computer Science majors at UChicago could answer my questions and provide more insight into the matter, that would be great. And if you could also talk about some of the problems you have and some of the things you enjoy about computer science at UChicago.</p>

<p>-Thanks</p>

<p>I would take a look at the Computer Science information in the course catalog, so you can get a better feel for the major classes and whatnot: [Computer</a> Science - University of Chicago Catalog](<a href=“http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/thecollege/computerscience/]Computer”>Computer Science < University of Chicago Catalog)</p>

<p>I’ve heard really good things from my CS major friends about internship opportunities within the department too (summer internships!): [Department</a> of Computer Science](<a href=“http://www.cs.uchicago.edu/info/student_jobs]Department”>http://www.cs.uchicago.edu/info/student_jobs)</p>

<p>Math major, but I have many CS friends, so I’ll take a stab.</p>

<p>Are the classes well taught and structured by professors?
As with all departments, it depends. There are some amazing professors and some less so. The 160’s (honors CS intro course) is absolutely fantastic from what I’ve heard. You’ll find out how to pick classes with good profs soon enough if you come here (upperclassmen, online course evaluations, etc.)</p>

<p>Even with the importance placed on theory, will time also be spent on actual application?
It depends on what you want to take. The electives in CS have two completely different branches with some focusing very heavily on theory and with others much more on application. If your interest is to work mostly in application, you will be able find classes to suit many of those needs. In addition, many of my friends have found some pretty neat coding jobs while at the university that have supplemented some of the more theory-based classes they have taken.</p>

<p>Will there be a sufficient number of other students at UChicago that are also really interested in CS?
I mean, the department is pretty small. And the number of students interested in the actual application of CS is smaller. That said, the people I know in the CS department are pretty awesome folks…</p>

<p>Will I be able to find good internships during the summer and get into a good graduate school?
I have many friends who have been offered internships (and full-time jobs) at Google, Microsoft, Facebook, etc. Good enough?</p>