Could anyone brief me about the 3-2 program for CS at LACs like Reed, Haverford, Grinnell, Bowdoin

I want to know what the 3-2 program is about and how it works and if it is worth it. I also want to know if the financial aid package would be transferred when you change your college. I would also like for someone to rank the CS programs at Haverford, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Grinnell, Reed and Carlton. What are the pros and cons of each’s CS programme, and their generosity in terms of international financial aid. I would also like if someone commented on the 4+! Masters in CS programme at Haverford

The computer science programs at these schools are designed to be completed within four years without involvement with another institution. If you would like to pursue engineering, then you can look into programs such as their 2-1-1-1, 3-2 and 4-1 options.

For information on the comparative strength of these schools’ CS programs you can review this thread, particularly the table in comment #26 (compare with respective course catalogs for current information):

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/math-computer-science-majors/1814245-computer-science-at-some-smaller-schools-including-liberal-arts-colleges.html#latest

FA at the “2” school would be at the discretion of the “2” school, independent of what FA the “3” school offered.

Note that a common “2” school, Columbia, says that “We do not guarantee that we can meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students” in the 3+2 program, unlike for frosh and other transfers (of course, “demonstrated need” is in their own definition, which may be different from that of the “3” school).

does a blank space in the table imply that no course related to that field is offered there?

International students who will need financial aid should focus on programs that do not require two institutions. They should look at places where they can complete their whole degree plan.

Generally, yes, but material pertaining to those sub-areas may be covered in special topics computer science courses or through other departments in some cases. As examples, material pertaining to machine learning and artificial neural networks may be available through mathematics departments, and material pertaining to computer hardware may be available through physics departments.

The above noted, you have the designer of that thread on your thread here, and I’d defer to @ucbalumnus on any of these points.

Yes, blank means not offered.

However, do your own investigation of offerings, since they may have changed since then.

Yes, while I was looking at courses offered at Bowdoin I was able to find CSCI 1103 and CSCI 2101 which teach a bit about Database programming and stuff, but according to the table, Bowdoin does not offer any DB courses.

Read some of the other 3-2 threads. Although they at first sound appealing, most families decide not to go that way. (Please don’t ask general questions here - read the other threads. Then this thread can remain dedicated to your specific school questions).