So I’ve been accepted into both and I’m really having trouble deciding. Financial aid turned out pretty similar (estimated ~$13,000 more over four years to go to Cornell). A lot of people (and websites) rank Cornell higher for CS but I’m really wondering if there’s enough of a difference for this to override other factors such as location (I’m not sure I’ll enjoy the isolation of Ithaca). I would really appreciate if CS majors from both universities could give me some input about their experiences and help with my decision. My parents are very pro Cornell for “prestige” and job opportunities out of college, but I’d really just like to make the best decision for myself.
In particular, I’ve heard that the CS department at JHU is much smaller, and that might be something I’m more comfortable with. That being said, I’ve only spoken to friends who go to JHU right now, so I’m probably severely uninformed about how CS is at Cornell.
@kayuta You’re unlikely to find current CS majors at Cornell on this website.
A small CS department is not necessarily good. You’ll want access to a wide variety of classes and research or internship opportunities. While the offerings at JHU are good, they’re nowhere near the powerhouse of Cornell.
Good advice above. Yes, Cornell I think does make a tangible difference here, but I don’t think so much so that fit factors can’t outweigh it. CS is very skills-oriented, not prestige-oriented, so a highly motivated JHU student should still be able to well. But it will be a tougher path. Only you can decide if that’s worth it, but don’t be scared into defaulting to Cornell for prestige. Good luck!
At the UNDERGRAD level, which is what we’re talking about here, JHU will have more than enough advanced course offerings and research opportunities. JHU reputation overall is comparable to Cornell. You should make this decision based on overall fit… you won’t have a problem finding employment and career success from either place.