<p>Well, somehow I managed to narrow my choices down to Cornell and CMU (being rejected by MIT helped a bit), but now i need some help.</p>
<p>Here's the issue:
Every says that CMU is the obvious choice for computer science, which is probably true, but overall, I think that I might be more comfortable at Cornell, which, as everone keeps telling me is what really counts.</p>
<p>So I guess my questions are. 1)At the undergrad level, can the quality of the two CS programs really be that different? and if so 2)should that be enough to sway me over to Carnegie Mellon?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any info and/or advice.</p>
<p>Cornell is an excellent school and your opportunities will not be adversely affected if you go there instead of CM. You are right to think about where you would be happier for the next 4 years, even if CM has a higher ranking for its CS department. What if you decide ultimately not to pursue computer science, where would you rather be? I read recently that Bill Gates gave $25 million to advance computer science at Cornell. Not sure of the schedule for any new building, but it shows that Cornell is giving attention and money to this field of study. </p>
<p>Gates also gave money (25mil again maybe??) to CMU and they have already started their Gates Building.</p>
<p>By the way tho, I spent the past 2 summers at CMU and I can honestly say I HATE Pittsburgh. CMU is in Shadyside and its a very boring little area. However, I have heard many many times before that CMU students definatly know how to party (allegedly because they do so much work during the week that they release steam that way)</p>
<p>There won't be a huge difference in the quality of students or professors in CS. Go with what makes you more comfortable. I suppose CMU is a little better regarded for CS but Cornell offers better departments outside CS.</p>
<p>What do you like about Cornell. Obviously CMU has an amazing computing science program, but what specifically would make you pick Cornell over CMU.</p>
<p>Part of it is that outside of computer science, Cornell does have better departments and offers a much larger selection of courses, and while I can't at the moment see myself changing majors, I'd like to keep my options open and, at the very least, make sure I have a well-rounded experience. Also there's the locations themselves, both of which I've visited. Cornell was just beautiful, well worth the isolation. I'm not saying CMU was ugly, but I really wasn't impressed to the same extent.</p>
<p>I a lot of it though just comes down to "which insititution could you more see yourself attending?" which again is important; I just wish I had something more tangible to go off of.</p>
<p>eh, i wouldnt downplay CMU's strengths...its a very odd school considering it has some of the top engineering, business, and theatre schools in the country...even the humanities isnt that bad</p>
<p>i spoke to a CMU comp sci major last summer and he told me to apply to CS only if i was VERY certain that's what i wanted to do. b/c of this advice, i'm now part of the cornell class of 2010. Their CS department may not be quite where CMU's is, but i am much more comfortable as to my other options.</p>
<p>ummmm, Skraylor, CMU isn't in Shadyside. It's between Oakland and Squirrel Hill, I think they consider it still Oakland there. But it definitely isn't in Shadyside.</p>
<p>CMU's campus seems to be sort of away from a lot of things, but in reality, is only a few blocks from a ton of great restaurants and shops (a few blocks in either direction). There's a ton to do in the area, and a lot of things to do a short bus ride away.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Here's the issue:
Every says that CMU is the obvious choice for computer science, which is probably true, but overall, I think that I might be more comfortable at Cornell, which, as everone keeps telling me is what really counts.
[/quote]
I had the same issue up until the past few days, except replace CMU comp science with NYU Stern business. Like you can probably tell, everyone will be fairly split in their opinion.</p>
<p>I'll just share that in my case, I decided that, for me, the overall college quality/experience outweighed the undergrad program. I'm sure there are far more people who got accepted into CMU (even for comp science) but not Cornell..than the other way around. Just a thought.</p>
<p>But out of these two choices, you'll be happy either place since they both have such strengths. That's when the money/aid factor comes into play :)</p>
<p>shadyside, oakland, whatever, i always got the 2 mixed up when i was there... honestly tho, i didnt see many of the good restaurants or shops you mention, and i had 2 different years to explore...</p>
<p>i did, however, like the waterfront :) (yay for bus passes)</p>
<p>im having the same problem, except its cornell vs cmu vs berkeley for me. </p>
<p>is it fair to say that if i dont see myself writing programs for the rest of my life and see myself in more of a managerial kind of position related to something in computers, i should go to cornell?</p>
<p>CMU's business school is very competitive, like Stern without the NYC location - all of its programs are extremely good in graduate study, buuuut... it's in pittsburgh</p>