<p>Hello Guys,
My son got accepted to both Umass Amherst (Honors College) and Stony Brook for computer science program. We are MA resident, but cost difference is not huge and is not a consideration.
Looking at college rankings, Umass Amherst seems a bit better ranked and on top of that he got accepted to honors college. But my son is bit concerned about college/campus culture.
On the other hand SUNY also seems like a nice college and has a good CS program.
Does anyone has any ideas about their job placements rates?
Any help in decision making will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.</p>
<p>Go Umass. I’m OOS and I’m willing to get thousands of dollars into debt just for the better quality computer science education. Most computer science jobs end up with starting salaries of around $70,000 and full salaries going up to $120,000. Umass might have the reputation of a party school but that depends on how you act in college. If your son lives in southwest, then he might not be able to study as hard as he would be able to in Ohill (Computer science RAP which I am joining) or Northeast. </p>
<p>Thanks @penguinz03 for your response and its reassuring. My son got accepted to Honors program, so I guess he will have the option in Honors dorms. What do you know about college placement rates for UMassh Amherst Compiter Science Undergrads?</p>
<p>@ganju420 After undergrad study your son will have the choice of going for his masters or just starting to start a career with a job. For his masters, he could be eligible for a fellowship explained here: </p>
<p><a href=“https://www.cs.umass.edu/admissions/bay-state-fellowship-program”>https://www.cs.umass.edu/admissions/bay-state-fellowship-program</a></p>
<p>Basically he can get free tuition for grad studies if he meets the requirements which seem somewhat easy although I do not hear much people talking about the program so I know I will have to ask my adviser about it at some point. It seems like a great opportunity. </p>
<p>If your son wants to go get a job everything depends on which concentration he chooses: </p>
<p><a href=“BS Subplans (a.k.a. Tracks) | Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences | UMass Amherst”>https://www.cs.umass.edu/ugrad-education/concentrations</a></p>
<p>I am doing security and privacy because that is what interests me. Security jobs also tend to have a high salary compared to other computer science type jobs. Umass is ranked extremely high in Artificial intelligence. The track your son chooses will help prepare him for a certain type of job, although some tracks might be able to prepare him for a variety of jobs. Salary and job placement depends on the track he chooses. Some tracks prepare for highly competitive jobs, but if your son works hard he will be able to get a high paying job no matter which track he chooses. </p>
<p>That being said, Its great he got accepted to the Honors dorms. He should definitely consider either joining the honors dorms or doing the computer science Rap like me since he will be able to work closely with his floor and he will get a chance to make friends with people in the Computer science department. Either way he has two really good options. </p>
<p>I have friends that attend SUNY stonybrook and they are very satisfied with that school. I have not heard about their computer science program but I’m sure that whatever decision you and your son make everything will work out fine. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot @penguinz03 for such a detailed response!
May I know which year of college are you in this year at Umass?
Is “Ohill” (Computer science RAP) part of Honors Residential Dorms?</p>
<p>Regards.</p>
<p>@ganju420 I’m an incoming freshman but I’ve had teachers and alumni from my school go to umass so I’ve heard a lot about it- especially on alumni day. I’ve also done lots of research to make sure this school was the right fit for me (also talked to current umass students on various other forum-like places). </p>
<p>The Computer science RAP is in the OHILL residential area (Dickinson Hall) which is away from the Honors Dorms living area. Although your son may or may not meet honors students from the RAP, it would be a great opportunity to meet other students taking the same classes in his major. If he is certain he wants to live in the honors dorms, he can choose that special living area or he can choose a RAP that allows him to live in the honors dorms, the list of all of them are here: </p>
<p><a href=“https://www.honors.umass.edu/raps-choices”>https://www.honors.umass.edu/raps-choices</a></p>
<p>I recommend going to the accepted students open house which I attended if you have not already for umass. There is a specific (optional) part of the day where there will be a presentation about the honors college. Also, you can go into a specific area that will be outlined at the open house where you can go and ask questions about various RAPS. Your son can get a feel for the campus, try out the award winning food, and learn more information before making a complete decision. Glad I could help! </p>
<p>Here are some updates from our recent visiys. Though we are still undecided between these two colleges.
We did visit Umass Amherst during one of their recent accepted student’s day. We did like the campus, but were not able to meet anyone in CS dept, as it was closed over the weekend.Being accepted to Honors college is definitely a plus at Umass Amherst, though they do not have CS RAC in Honors residential area.
We visited Stonybrook last week. We were told by some kids there about the rather large class sizes for some of the GenEd classes. We did visit a dorm and it was rather smallish. We got a chance to meet couple of faculty members of CS department and were really impressed. They went out of the way to meet us and answer our questions. so I liked that part. Also, Stonybrook CS department will be moving to brand new building this fall, as their current CS building is an OLD and shabby place.</p>