<p>S needs to choose between RPI and Univ. of Rochester for Computer Science. He liked both of these schools when we visited. Is it a negative that CS is not in the Engineering School at RPI? Does anyone know how reliable and accessible the public transportation is for kids living off campus if the kids don't have a car? Any info about CS at these schools would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>You can’t live off campus at RPI till Junior year, by which cars are prevalent so if your son doesn’t have a car, he’ll know many who do. The bus system is quite decent to get to Price Chopper (grocery store)/Walmart or to Albany. Cars are not allowed the first year and the freshman do fine. </p>
<p>I don’t know much about CS departments but believe RPI has a better overall reputation. There’s variations upon CS majors, some of which are in the EE department (computer systems) so make sure your son chooses the right one. He should be able to switch easily enough if he wants to.</p>
<p>My only comment, for what it is worth, is that there were only 20 computer science majors at Rocherster graduating in 2010, while at RPI there were 92 in computer science, 25 in information technology and another 61 computer-related majors in the Engineering School.</p>
<p>My thought is that RPI would have better facilities in the area. Also, based upon what my S has seen (he is a sophomore in information technology), the employment opportunites at RPI for students in the computer / technology field are excellent. Don’t know about Rochester.</p>
<p>The department CS is in shouldn’t make even a slight difference. The only consequences I know of of CS being in the school of science (having been a CS student here for nearly 4 years) is that we participate in the rare school of science events instead of the school of engineering events (not that these are important). There might also be some budgetary and administrative issues invisible to the undergraduate population (I wouldn’t know).</p>
<p>My advice: look at the course listings for both schools, possibly also the professor ratings for those who are teaching courses you find interesting. Look at the research various professors are doing, and figure out who you might want to work with during your stay. Pick the place that gives you the most opportunities to excel in your field. Regardless of which choice you make, you’ll end up with a lot to learn over the next 4 or so years.</p>
<p>Course list for RPI (Comp Sci): [Courses</a> - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - acalog ACMS?](<a href=“http://catalog.rpi.edu/content.php?filter[27]=CSCI&filter[29]=&filter[course_type]=-1&filter[keyword]=&filter[32]=1&cpage=1&cur_cat_oid=4&expand=&catoid=4&navoid=90&search_database=Filter&filter[exact_match]=1]Courses”>Courses - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Acalog ACMS™)</p>
<p>Course list for U Roch (Comp Sci): [URCS</a> Course Information | University of Rochester Computer Science](<a href=“http://www.cs.rochester.edu/courses/]URCS”>http://www.cs.rochester.edu/courses/)</p>
<p>It’s not really a choice. RPI is much larger in CS and has made important contributions that practitioners are aware of. The CS Dept. may be in School of Science, but your kid can also major in EE (whatever it’s called now) and do much the same in the School of Engineering.</p>
<p>Regarding transportation, you can readily get by without a car. I did, living off campus 3 undergraduate years. Only had a car 1 graduate year, and didn’t use it a lot.</p>