So I just applied a couple of weeks ago because of the deadline that I had to transfer. The schools that I applied was UIUC, Berkeley and northwestern and I got accepted to UIUC and Berkeley, I’m still waiting on northwestern for a response. I feel like I want to leave the state and go to Berkeley because it has a good reputation in the engineering field. Don’t get me wrong UIUC has it as well. Which of these schools would benefit me more in my career as a CS to get internships good companies but also for post graduation jobs. By the end of this term I’m transferring with a 3.8 GPA and I’ll be getting full tuition coverage as well. For some reason I had to put a second major so the second major was computer engineer.
For the purposes stated, “Which of these schools would benefit me more in my career as a CS to get internships good companies but also for post graduation jobs?”, they’re the same. Both are very good. After that it gets down to who places their graduates where and ultimately where you want to live after you graduate. Both have international recruiting reach, but each will attract smaller companies from their respective regions. Weather is VERY different between the two. Cost of living (housing and food) will be MUCH higher in Berkeley. In the final analysis, your gut will make the right decision because there is no wrong decision. Congratulations and good luck.
Thank you! @eyemgh
I wouldn’t mind going to Berkeley because I would stay in campus for my last 2 years tops 3. So housing and food wouldn’t be a problem. But I would also consider UIUC because I live in Chicago and I would be close to come and visit my parents after every semester or maybe once every month. Which if I go to Berkeley it would have to be every semester. I’m still undecided both of those two schools are great. I’m just waiting to see to which one I go to. Plus I have family members close to Berkeley that I would be able to stay over there as well.
UC- Berk and Illinois are peers when it comes to CS. You will have access to the same top tech companies when it comes to recruiting. I would pick the cheaper option (UIUC) unless you are wealthy, Cal is not worth the extra money from a career perspective and I doubt they have good financial aid for OOS.
UCB does not give FA to OOS students so if you do not mind paying $55K/year, the California taxpayers would love to have you. Did you receive your FA package from UIUC and UCB?
@WildestDream @Gumbymom
I received only from UIUC and I got all year covered because I had two scholarships plus the financial aid with it. From UC-Berkeley I haven’t received any information regarding FA. But so far I am full covered to stay in campus and tuition for UIUC. So if I go to either of those two i would still be good with internships and jobs after graduating?
Full Ride/Close to it at UIUC for Computer Science is a GREAT position to be in. I would pick Illinois!
I agree ^^^.
@Gumbymom @WildestDream
Do you think I should consider getting a masters degree in software engineer or move towards computer engineering for my masters? I really do want to get a masters but I’m not sure if they provide like doing the Co-op terminal where you can do both your bachelors and masters at the same time. Do you guys know by any chance?
This is a no-brainer. Go to UIUC. Even if UCB was materially better, which I don’t think it is, you won’t earn enough extra money to offset the massive cost difference.
@eyemgh
Can you get an internship with entry level or do you have to have good experience in computer science?
It all depends on which company you’re trying to get into. The more competitive the company, the more likely experience is necessary. Experience never hurts. Get your feet on the ground at your new school and go to the career center. They’ll help guide you. First things first though. 
@eyemgh
Some companies are coming for internships for all majors, one of them for the engineering department is Abbvie. What do you think about that company? It’s a 6-12 month internship, and they just want a resume. Do you know if they might ask experience on coding or any type?
Never heard of them, but that doesn’t mean much. My son is an ME, so those are the companies I’m more aware of. I would suspect most CS companies would want to see code. Some (I can’t name any of them, but I’ve read about the practice) even make interviewees write code on a whiteboard during interviews. At the end of the day, you apply with the resume you have not the resume you want. Alternatively, you don’t apply.
@eyemgh
My resume is done, I just wanted to make sure it was perfect. I learn some stuff on how to code because one of my teachers gave me. A website called code academy and it’s really good. It teaches you the fundamentals to code. What do you think about free lancer?
It doesn’t matter where you learned it. It matters whether or not you can actually do it. If you did the Code Academy introduction, it gave you a taste, enough to say you’re familiar with Python, but not enough that you are proficient. There are plenty of Python problems/projects out there to expand your skills.
As a side note, you’re better off addressing these questions to the whole thread. I’m not a CS, nor is my kid. If I can answer your questions with sufficient knowledge I will, but my background in CS is limited.
Good luck.