<p>Hi, I have just begun my college search. I intend to major in computer science. I am looking for a very strong program, where big companies recruit (Apple, Google, Facebook, etc) I would like a smaller school (this is not a must have, but I am looking for a more intimate experience), with strong merit/non-need aid, or very strong need-based aid. I love the feel and architecture of schools like Williams and Princeton. I want somewhere with a friendly environment, where people are intelligent, motivated, and social. I'm doubtful that I can get into MIT, Stanford, etc</p>
<p>With the exception of Caltech the companies that you’ve mentioned tend not to recruit directly at small colleges. That doesn’t preclude getting internships while you attend such colleges and following up a series of internships with a full time job</p>
<p>The “A” recruiting list includes: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, University of Texas Austin, University of Illinois (main campus), all of Ivies, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, John Hopkins, Georgia Tech, RPI, and, depending on the company, a handful of “regional” mostly public universities.</p>
<p>Small ones:
Carnegie Mellon University
Cornell University
Georgia Tech
Rice University</p>
<p>Some Publics:
University of Massachusetts- Amherst
University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign
University of Maryland- College Park
University of Washington- Seattle
University of Texas- Austin
University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
University of Wisconsin- Madison</p>
<p>What about Santa Clara University? You’d get merit aid, its computer science program is very strong and well respected in the Silicon Valley area.</p>
<p>Big companies recruit more widely, and you know who they are so you can apply to them anyway.</p>
<p>Smaller schools are less likely to be recruited at by non-local employers, who may not even know of them, or may not think the small number of students is worth a visit out of their limited recruiting budget compared to a bigger school. However, you may want to check whether any small school you are interested in has a career center arrangement with a nearby large school.</p>
<p>If you need substantial need or merit aid, it would help if you mentioned your price limit, your state of residency, and whether your family is able and willing to contribute the FAFSA EFC calculated for it. Then people responding can give appropriate suggestions.</p>
<p>Here are some default lists for students who need a lot of aid:</p>
<p>I was also thinking Santa Clara. It’s just a few minutes from the companies you’re interested in, so you don’t really need them to come to you. Just send them a resume, and if they like it, they’ll bring you in.</p>
<p>The University of San Francisco would be a similar option.</p>
<p>There are plenty of good companies to work for other than Google, Facebook and Apple.</p>