<p>I am trying to decide which school to go to and I need your advice on computer science programs. </p>
<p>I have been accepted to:</p>
<p>Texas Tech:
I am in the honors program and will major in computer science.</p>
<p>University of Texas at San Antonio:
I was capped at UT. I would attend this school for one year and after 30 hours and receiving a 3.2 gpa would automatically be accepted into UT. My understanding is that it is very easy to get the 3.2 gpa.</p>
<p>I know that UT's computer science program is highly ranked but is it worth it to go to another school in order to get in? By going to a lower tiered state school's computer science program, would the differences in the program be that much different? What do you think are the advantages/disadvantages to going to one or the other?</p>
<p>Yes, Austin is a great city, no doubt about it!</p>
<p>I’m really trying to determine my academic fit.</p>
<p>Texas Tech -
In College of Engineering so could possibly add engineering major.
After undergrad, would have taken pretty much all CS classes, so are limited to<br>
types of classes.
In Honors college, so have benefits (early registration, small classes, etc)
CS maybe not as competitivie so could be in upper top of class.
CS building is small, doesn’t look like any improvements to be made.
Small faculty (good and bad) Will get to know profs better but not as prestigious.</p>
<p>UT - Austin -
Will probably never have opportunity to get in Engineering.
After going through CAP at UTSA and taking basic CS classes,
will be admitted to CS department as a junior.
Huge selection of classes to take!!
Very competitive but great program so maybe in middle of class.
New builiding on campus, obviously putting money into program.
Large faculty and profs graduating from very highly regarded schools.</p>
<p>1) If you are good in Math, you can construct a CS major out of a Math major and it would not matter that you were not part of the engineering college. The Math/CS major would be almost as sought after as a pure CS major. Trust me, I know :-)</p>
<p>2) U-Texas has a Computational Science research and academic area. May want to look into that area also.</p>
<p>3) Doing CS through a non-engineering curriculum is OK since ABET is not needed for CS.</p>
<p>4) Due to the supply/demand for software professionals, you can go to Texas Tech and still have plenty of opportunities.</p>
<p>U-Texas has a Scientific Computation option and Applied math option (with a bunch of free electives that can be used for CS courses) as part of the B.S. in Math.</p>
<p>Thanks GLOBALTRAVELER for your insight. Yes, the Math/CS major is a possibility. I’ve seen this combination more often lately. I was also accepted into the Math/CS major at the UofI but OOS tuition is very high.</p>
<p>So, basically, being in the College of Engineering at Texas Tech has no effect on a CS major except the fact that if I wanted I could add an engineering degree. At UT-Austin, I have the option of maybe adding a math degree.</p>
<p>So what if I just want to do CS. Comparing the two programs and my list from above, would the only difference be that a smaller percentatge of companies would recruit at TTU? Or, would I miss out on a better education at UT due to more diversity of CS classes, better facilities and higher ranked profs? Is it better to have a higher GPA or a better program?</p>
<p>Guess, I’m trying to determine if the program of a university is more important or overall academic/social fit.</p>
<p>Well, going to UT-Austin would bring more exposure no doubt. I think you would agree that your choice as far as getting the final B.S. degree would be 1) UT-Austin 2)TTU 3)UT-SA.</p>
<p>Why not go to Texas Tech then transfer to UT-Austin? I know the “transitive property” does not always apply but if UT-Austin would take a 3.2 GPA from UT-SA, more likely UT-Austin would take a 3.2 GPA from TTU…especially from an honors program.</p>
<p>I would have a guarantee transfer from UT-SA with a 3.2 GPA and 30 hours with the CAP program. I believe to transfer into the program would require a lot higher GPA from TTU but good option.</p>
<p>What you have is a program between UT Austin and many of the other UT schools (San Antonio, Arlington, Etc) where you can gain admission to UT Austin by performing well at one of the other UT schools in the system. Because gaining admission to UT Austin can often times be very difficult, they laid out a plan so that students who really want to find themselves in Austin can do so even after receiving a rejection letter. So, with that said, it would be easier to go to UTSA > TTU if trying to transfer to UTAustin in the end. This is because this “CAP Program” is a solid guarantee. </p>
<p>And as someone stated above, Lubbock is not a fun place to live.</p>
<p>Companies that recruit CNS majors on-campus from U of Texas:</p>
<p>Facebook
Google
Intel
Bloomberg
Microsoft
Amazon
IBM
Cisco
Apple
Raytheon
…and many other top companies.</p>
<p>UT-Austin has one of the most highly respected computer science and math programs in the nation, which is why so many top companies recruit there. I will likely be doing a dual specialization in statistics and compuational science from the math department, which will leave me like one course shy from an elements of computing certificate and one course shy of a certificate in scientific computing from the new Division of Statistics & Scientific Computing. UT-Austin also has the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences as well as a brand new Energy Management and Innovation Center that I want to look more into.</p>
<p>I think the following links show that UT-Austin is truly on the cutting-edge of where our new high-tech, clean-tech society is going.</p>
<p>Plus, Austin is flooded with beatiful women, beautiful surroundings, and tons of fun things to do. I’m from the hill country, and it is awesome.</p>
<p>Thank you for the information on UT-Austin, I found it very interesting!</p>
<p>Still trying to decide which is the best route for me. It’s clear that UT-Austin’s CS department is innovative and on the cutting edge. Question still remains - Can I get a good CS education and have good job prospects from TTU? Guess the answer is yes, depends on what I put into it, internships, etc. Agreed?</p>
<p>One other option to look ONLY if you are looking to live in Austin after school. Texas State San Marcos. Many of the Austin tech companies recruit there as well as UT Austin. Though it is not UT caliber education it will prepare you for a job in the field. Outside of Austin you will have 0 name recognition though.</p>
<p>Investigate how you will be admitted to computer science at UT if you transfer in from UTSA. Will you transfer in directly to computer science or are you only guaranteed admission to an undetermined school at UT with that 3.2.</p>
<p>Yes, I looked into that. I could transfer into the College of Natural Sciences where CS is after UTSA. There are 3 or 4 CS classes required before you can even apply to the CS major. This would put me in my spring semester of my junior year. Don’t think I want to wait that long. With TTU, will start in CS program with advising right away. It truly boils down to fit (TTU) verses the program (UT’s CS program). Boy, just wish TTU’s CS program was ranked higher and that I get some research and intern opportunities.</p>
<p>Does UTSA have intro CS courses that can transfer to UTA as equivalent to the required CS courses, so that you won’t be “behind” if you do the UTSA->UTA route?</p>
<p>cat2fat, Now that you have info (from an earlier post reply) on who recruits Computer Science grads at UT, call the Comp Sci department at Tech and get similar job placement info from them. Also, call the Texas Tech Honors College, speak to a staffer and lay out your questions about Tech (Comp Sci, Engineering, Honors College )and that you are on the fence between them and UTSA/UT. Also, see if you can speak by phone or e-mail to a Comp Sci major or two. Again, ask all your questions. See what the staffer will do in working with you to get your questions answered.</p>
<p>Let Tech (and UT) work to get your attendance.</p>
<p>Lubbock is no Austin but it has 200,000 people with the entire town catering to Tech. There are minor pluses at Tech that make student life more affordable and convenient such as a Walmart Super Center just blocks from campus (easy walking distance) that you can get all your usual living needs at a low price (not at UT). Of course, Austin over Lubbock but I would put Lubbock over College Station or Waco in a heart beat. Another plus - the Lubbock airport is an easy in and out. Students get in free to all games of all sports. Not so at UT. (You already know a Tech booster.)</p>