Deciding between UMass Amherst, Holy Cross, Purdue, and Providence College

College Search & Selection
1

Major: Computer Science/Civil Engineering (would try to declare a double major, likely would end up dropping one, leaning towards keeping Civil)

Providence College:
Smaller liberal arts school. If I did engineering, it would be through the 3+2 program. More expensive than other schools. Pretty campus, Friar pride. Many things to do, and is also in Providence so has the benefit of a city. I got a 10k merit scholarship here.

UMass Amherst:
Big school with lots to do on campus, although in the middle of nowhere. Cheaper than all other options (by a lot), although parents stress the cost does not necessarily matter. Might be easier to transfer out of than other schools if I don’t like it. I’m told there is not much of a unified “UMass Pride” but student life is very active and there is something for everyone. The five colleges program is also attractive as well as the “spend time at a different state school” program.

College of the Holy Cross:
Smallest school, liberal arts. Love the campus. Would also have to do 3+2 for engineering and similarly to Providence is more expensive. 'Sader nation. Good sports and a lot of activities. The things that are holding me back is that it might be a little too small, but it is also in Worcester so it also has the added benefits of being in a city.

Purdue University:
Another big school with lots to do, very similar to UMass. Further from home, and I’m OOS so it’d be a little more expensive. Boilermaker pride. I did not get in for CS, but for Cybersecurity, which might be an issue if I want to transfer to Civil. Awesome Cybersecurity program though, and has a lot of school Boilermaker pride. Co-Ops interest me a lot- but I’m not sure I’d be able to transfer to engineering given I was rejected from CS.

I love all these schools so much, and I don’t think I can go wrong. I’m not entirely sure if I am willing to do the 3+2 engineering programs, but I really like CHC and Providence a lot. They both have really distinct communities and a lot of college pride. I think I like CHC’s location the best compared to any other college and I have a lot of tough choices to make. Right now I’m leaning towards UMass for the engineering and computer science programs (as well as the huge student life), and if I don’t like it I could always transfer out. If I do like it, I’d obviously try for the honors college. There is also a lot to do on campus. In terms of prestige, I’m told Purdue’s cybersecurity program is top notch and the coops could lend a hand later on.

Stats in case anybody’s interested:
White M, MA, 3.7 UW, 32 ACT, great ECs, good essay.
Rejected from Northeastern, still waiting to hear back from Tufts and USC from I’m expecting to be denied at both schools. I applied to all as a CS major, so maybe I would’ve had a higher chance of getting in if I had applied engineering or whatever.

2

Congrats on all your options I’m a HC parent so a little bias, but would suggest you go to accepted students day at the schools you are most interested in. The computer science program at HC is well regarded and large for a school of its size, Don’t know much about the 3+2 engineering, but would suggest you reach out to both Providence and HC and ask specific questions about those programs, including how many students are enrolled.
HC really excels at building community and camaraderie among students and faculty, and Worcester truly is a college town with lots of students from other schools in town. Good luck!

3

If cs and you want a small school, Holy Cross. Don’t do 3+2 though. And Worcester is not what you may think about when you think ‘city’.
So, right now, cs at Amherst would be the best pick and with about 50,000 collegebdtudrnts in the area it’s very lively ;).
Purdue cybersecurity would be another excellent choice but West Lafayette is even more ‘the middle of nowhere’.

4

Thank you @wisteria100 :slight_smile: I have a family member that actually recently attended HC and she LOVED it. The community is really what draws me in! I should inquire more about that 3+2…

I read a ton of Amherst’s population is just college kids, which is cool! What have you heard about 3+2 @MYOS1634 ? Yeah a huge drawback from Purdue is its area I guess…

edit: just looked into a lot of threads about 3+2, seems like there are a lot of ups/downs. Gonna keep on digging.

5

I have a sophomore interested in engineering and almost everyone that has given us advice (either engineers or those who had kids that had btdt) has said do not do a 3+2 program. Some of the cons we’ve been told about are that it’s hard to leave a school after 3 years, especially when the friends you’ve made are staying; you may not meet the required criteria to enter the second program; adding an additional year of college tuition; plus you don’t know what kind of merit or FA you may get, if any, at the second school. Just be sure to look at all the details of the program so you know what you’re getting into.

6

I agree - unless the 3+2 is with a university in the same city, on which case you don’t leave your friends at all.
So,check whether HC’s +2 is in Worcester.
Otherwise, HC would only be worthwhile for CS.
If neither cs nor a +2 in town are available or of interest, UMass CS and Purdue cybersecurity are the way to go.

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Providence: engineering only as 3+2 (Columbia or WUStL), limited CS
Holy Cross: engineering only as 3+2 (Columbia), limited CS
Purdue: not in either desired major, getting into CS or civil engineering has college GPA criteria; see https://www.cs.purdue.edu/undergraduate/codo.html and http://admissions.purdue.edu/apply/criteriatransferengr.php (cybersecurity is a less technical IT program)
UMass: did you get into one of your desired majors?

Seems like UMass would be the best choice based on getting into your major and in-state cost versus Purdue. If you are in CS, getting into civil engineering is not difficult: https://engineering.umass.edu/current-students/academics-advising/admission-major . If you are in civil engineering, getting into CS requires certain B grades and a 3.0 GPA in college: https://www.cics.umass.edu/ugrad-education/major-change-cs .

Note that 3+2 programs typically have high GPA standards or competitive admission to make the transfer, and have an extra year of cost, with financial aid uncertainty at the “2” school. For example, see the following for Columbia that both Providence and Holy Cross 3+2 programs are associated with: https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/combined-plan (e.g. 3.50 college GPA for admission, does not meet need for 3+2 transfers unlike for frosh and regular transfers)

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Very helpful information @ucbalumnus , thank you! I got into all the colleges listed for CS except PC, where I got in for the 3+2 program. I didn’t realize how restricted the 3+2 programs were, especially considering GPA requirements… The links you’ve provided are super useful and I will definitely keep referring to them in the future.

Seems like HC’s +2 is Columbia unfortunately @MYOS1634 . I’m certain it would be tough to leave HC after 3 years of building bonds there.

Thank you all for your help!

9

Looks like UMass is the obvious choice. Lowest cost, you are in the CS major, and switching to civil engineering needs only C grades and a 2.0 GPA. Even if they all cost the same, UMass would win on the basis of not putting any barriers between you and the majors you want to study.

10

I am a UMass parent so I’m biased, but UMass seems a clear choice. Lowest cost, excellent programs in both CS and engineering. Judging by the number of people all over campus wearing various articles of UMass clothing, there is definitely school pride. My kid and his friends, some in honors college and some not, all love the place. And don’t dismiss it as “the middle of nowhere.” True, the school is not in a city, but Amherst and nearby Northampton are very vibrant towns with a lot going on. You can easily take advantage of all of it even if you don’t have a car because the bus service that runs throughout the region is free to undergraduates.

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@DontNope First I want to say that I love that you described UMass as in “the middle of nowhere” which is exactly how it feels for me when I drive there and how I describe it on here and may have been given a hard time about that :wink: Apparently if you don’t drive through Belchertown it doesn’t feel “in the middle of nowhere.”

Having said that I think you should choose UMass. Best professional option hands down all of your points considered. Worcester is post industrial. Not a cool city. I’d rather be in Amherst. UMass is a top school for CS and engineering. It would be a great choice.

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I have a unique perspective on this. My college room mate of 2 years, and probably my best friend in the world, was in a 3-2 engineering program at the school I attended. The end of junior year came around fast. It was hell for my room mate to leave all of us (and his girlfriend who he later married). Depression, tears, it was tough. I would caution anyone thinking of the 3-2 route to think long and hard about the emotional cost. I think going to a 4 year program would be healthier for you.

13

UMass seems like the right choice for all the reasons above. Congrats!

14

Make the decision assuming that you couldn’t/wouldn’t do 3+2, because in reality, very few students actually follow through with the +2.

15

My kid is at UMass Amherst in the honors college and LOVES it there. Strong computer science, kid says. There is a lot of school spirit there - I see everyone dressed in school spirit clothing, going to the football games, etc. The campus is pretty, peaceful, safe. Easy walk into Amherst. 5 college consortium opens up more options for courses, social life for special interest groups. Kid got the max merit aid for OOS, so it’s not a bad price for us, but for you in-state, it’s even better.

16

Hey all- thank you very much for all the information about UMass and 3+2, I really really appreciate it!!!

Here’s where my head’s at after being rejected from USC/Tufts:

I was more disappointed than I thought I’d be with USC, since I guess I was looking forward going to college in a warm climate haha. Expected Tufts anyway so it’s w/e.

I’m going to either tour or go to the accepted students days at Purdue, UMass and HC (since my cousin goes there now).

That being said, here’s my Purdue v. UMass right now:
For UMass:

  1. Easier to switch majors in UMass, since if I wanted to switch to Engineering or CS at Purdue it’d take longer and could possibly extend my stay. I’m already in CS at UMass.
  2. UMass would be over $10k cheaper. (important)
  3. I read dorms are better at UMass.
  4. Closer to home, but far enough I’d be independent.
  5. Probably easier to transfer if I wanted to since I’d be taking CS and not Cyber. I don’t plan on transferring though.
  6. Close to other towns- not the middle of nowhere!
  7. Unique programs like the Five Colleges, take a semester at a different state university (Purdue might have this too).

For Purdue:

  1. Fantastic Cybersecurity. Maybe I would prefer Cyber to CS because CS is more theory, and if I really like Cyber Purdue is the place to be. This is the main reason why I’m still considering Purdue.
  2. If I do change majors to engineering, Purdue has one of the best Engineering programs in the country.
  3. Co-Ops: Purdue has fantastic career services. Haven’t looked into UMass’. An important reason for Purdue.
  4. Bigger, which I like. Both universities are massive though so the extra 10k might not make a huge difference.
  5. Better sports teams might contribute to more “spirit” but UMass also has a ton of pride.
  6. Fewer people from my school going. Would love to get away from high school… this probably isn’t a valid reason.

I think that covers it. I have over a month before I have to commit- can’t wait to check out these schools in person!!!
I’m mingling with the idea of going somewhere for International Relations to maybe be a diplomat when I grow up, and in that case, it’d be HC. I really wish there was a way to know what field you wanted to go into for sure.

17

A little too late to include in my last post, but it would probably be easier to double major outside of the CS department whereas at Purdue it is significantly harder to major outside of the Poly program. The differences between the CS ranking b/w Purdue and UMass are negligible, but for engineering is significant.

I’m leaning towards UMass… it is enticing going to a school where I would know nobody though. For over 10k a year, I’m not sure that’s worth it.

18

Don’t see why UMass is not the clear winner here, being both the least expensive and having no barriers between you and the CS and civil engineering majors. Why pay more to increase the chance that you may not be able to study the major you want?

Purdue cybersecurity is a less technical business-IT type major. If you prefer a more technical education and career, go for CS. With a stronger technical background from CS, you should be more than able to handle the technical aspects of IT if you choose to move into that area later.

UMass has an optional co-op program: https://www.umass.edu/careers/internships/coopprocess

19

CS at UMass is topnotch (better than at Purdue) and you have honors college on top of it. It should be Umass without hesitation. In addition, if your primary worry is seeing people you know… you won’t. It’s a huge school. You’ll have to make apointments for lunch with friends because you’ll all be so busy with different schedules.

20

@DontNope Be realistic. You’re not going to see or hang out with your high school crowd at UMass. There’s a bazillion people. Maybe you’ll wave to someone occasionally but that is an unfounded fear that kids going to their instate option have.