<p>I'm a rising senior in high school and will be applying very soon. I want to go into computer science, but am confused because at many schools there are two different majors or departments? There's one in the school on engineering which is clearly harder to get into often, or there is CS in the college of arts and sciences or letters or such. Which should I apply to? What are the differences? </p>
<p>Engineering-based CS majors tend to have slightly more math requirements, and more physics and (electrical) engineering requirements. Generally, the CS courses are the same ones.</p>
<p>Engineering-based CS majors are more likely to have ABET accreditation or automatically meet the patent exam prerequisites, if that is your concern.</p>
<p>Non-engineering-based CS majors are more likely to have the free elective space to take a second major or other free electives.</p>
<p>The two CS majors may not necessarily have the same selectivity for admissions.</p>
<p>However, check each school for the specifics.</p>