Duke vs. Northwestern: Computer Science

College Search & Selection
1

Hi!

I was recently admitted to both Duke and Northwestern and I am interested in studying computer science, while possibilly adding in some buisness or premedicine during college. I noticed that Duke’s computer science program is within the Trinity College of Arts of Sciences, which is strange since most CS programs I applied to (Including NU) are located in engineering schools. I’m not sure of what this entails…

When I looked at internship/research, Northwestern obviosuly has Chicago, but I’m not sure how Duke’s research triangle compares to NU. Currently, I’m also a little bit unsure of how the two CS programs compare in general, how their respective name resonates to employers, and if one is in many ways better than the other option.

Please let me know how you think! Thanks!

2

Either school is fine. As I typically say when people ask about differences in CS programs, check to see if there are any specialty tracks within the CS programs that look interesting to you.

It generally doesn’t matter if a CS program is run out of a college of arts and sciences or an engineering school. CS used to be viewed as an offshoot of math rather than an engineering discipline, and a lot of schools still have CS in their schools of arts and sciences because that’s where their math departments are.

I’m guessing there are plenty of internship opportunities in both Chicago and the Research Triangle Park. I’m a retired programmer but I get lots of emails asking if I want to move to North Carolina from California and work in the Research Triangle Park. (Mainly they’re from SAS.)

3

OP: If you search CC, there are some great posts which illustrate the typical differences between CS programs in schools of engineering from colleges of arts & sciences.

4

For CS, it might be fair to give the edge to Northwestern.

5

I would also look up the four year plan of study for each school and see which appeals to you more. You have two extremely strong options.

6

Looks like NU has a CS major (BA) in the Arts and Science as well, I thought most colleges that have engineering and arts and sciences schools have CS in both, so that’s why I checked. Duke has a BA and BS, but both are from their Arts and Science college. If being in the engineering college is important, then go with NU.

7

It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the college of arts and sci or college of engineering. I’d pick based on factors like how much weather or living close to the city matters to you…

8

completely agree - both schools are great. It is really more about where you will feel more comfortable.