<p>Can someone help to explain the differences between CS, CE, and CSE? What would be the most/least difficult in terms of admissions? In the end what would provide the most versatile degree? What would be the needed strengths for an applicant in each of these areas? The schools my son is probably most interested in are UCD, UCI and UCSD.</p>
<p>CS is software focused, CE is engineering and hardware focused, and CSE is a combination of the two.</p>
<p>At the schools you listed there probably isn't any significant difference, unless CS is in a different college than the other two.</p>
<p>At UCSD there are a few computer-related majors. There's CS B.A., CS B.S., CompE (ECE dept.) and CompE (CS dept.) All are offered by the Jacobs School of Engineering.</p>
<p>More info here. <a href="http://www.jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/academic/academic_undergrad/undergrad_majors/%5B/url%5D">http://www.jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/academic/academic_undergrad/undergrad_majors/</a></p>
<p>Generally, CS has more of a software focus, while CompE will have more of a hardware focus, as davisengineer said. It is also worth noting that a CS B.S. has more hardware focus than a B.A (by a few classes).</p>
<p>Another option is to double major or major/minor CE and CS. I was visiting UCSC with my S this week, and one of the students was doing such a major. Your S may want to consider the Jack Baskins School of Engineering at UCSC. They just added a major in Computer Software Games Development. Here is a link to their FAQ <a href="http://www.cse.ucsc.edu/advising/undergraduate/prospective/faqprospective.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.cse.ucsc.edu/advising/undergraduate/prospective/faqprospective.html</a>
that has good information on how CE and CS majors differ.</p>
<p>If getting admitted to engineering is an issue due to the high competitiveness, UCSC may be a good one to throw into the mix. It is certainly worth a look - a well-funded Engineering school with a comparatively small student population.</p>