So… I’ve been accepted for computer science at both Georgia Tech and UCLA. I’ve also been accepted to Case Western but I would need an incredible “wow” moment before I want to choose to go there. I have visited Case Western only. Here are my thoughts on both schools:
-Better City: UCLA (Los Angeles) - bigger, more opportunities
-Nicer Campus from what I’ve heard: UCLA (Tech students I want your input)
-Academics: Georgia Tech maybe because it’s an engineering based school and therefore would focus more on that kind of education? <-- Don’t really know much about it but that’s my inference…
-Career Opportunities for CS at bigger companies (Google, Facebook, etc.): UCLA because it’s closer to Silicon Valley (again, this is an inference, but I think that the chances are higher)
-Socializing: UCLA because the Bruins are pretty much better than the Yellow Jackets, and I feel like the UC parties would be a bigger hit than the engineering-stereotyped parties at Tech (play hard, work hard) <-- Fill me in guys
So, before you guys all rant about how one of my stereotypes is just awful or stereotypical, yes, I know they are. That’s why I’m asking for your input. Don’t tell me flat out why one school is better than the other. Give me reasons, and here are some more reasons that you can use to back up your argument:
- Safety on Campus/Relationship with City
- Weather (I live in PA rn, and I get sick every winter so I need a warmer environment)
- Transfer Ability (my first choice school is USC, and I got rejected - appealing decision but still would like to be able to transfer just in case - I know UCLA might be bad socially if I want to transfer to a rival, so fill me in)
- CS Courses/Workload - how hard is the material, how hard are HW, tests, and how are HW and tests graded/curved. Just give me everything you know on the topic.
Talk about things I haven’t mentioned yet. Convince me!
Thanks guys!
P.S. don’t talk about rankings. I really don’t give for rankings and I don’t want to hear about them.
If you want to work for the likes of Google in the Bay area, go with UCLA (even over your 1st choice USC).
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-20-best-schools-for-getting-a-job-at-google-2014-10
For better city I wouldn’t discount Atlanta. Great social scene off-campus (also don’t worry about dating. Atlanta has plenty of colleges/clubs/bars/etc) even if GT’s on-campus scene is a little lacking. As for campus “nice-ness” I’d go UCLA but again GT has its own ambience that you either love or hate. I’d STRONGLY suggest visiting both campuses to make your own decision if you haven’t already.
For academics/career opportunities I’d have to say both schools are about even (even though many people cite the “silicon valley thing”). I go to GT (if you couldn’t tell) but have friends at both schools who have gotten offers from Google, Microsoft, and plenty of other companies. As far as I know, being at GT hasn’t hurt any of my CS friends here from having opportunities at those companies. For sports: GT sports are definitely not bad and have their own history that is pretty extensive (4 NCAA football championships, John Heisman coached there, 2004 March Madness Finals, Women’s basketball past few years – excluding this one–has been on point). However, I would probably agree that UCLA’s social scene on campus trumps Tech’s. One thing I will say for academics is that Tech is HARD. It is a school that forces you to work hard and is pretty punishing if you don’t. I’ve fortunately had good professors and have been able to do well in classes without sacrificing social life/extracurriculars, but that is all up to you being able to manage time extremely efficiently (a useful life skill to get regardless of where you end up going).
Safety: Atlanta isn’t the safest of places late at night, but Tech has plenty of transportation options available all the time as well as a pretty extensive network of emergency police phones throughout campus. Can’t speak for UCLA.
Weather: Georgia weather is notoriously fickle. i.e it is April and still 50 degrees out despite it being 80 this same time last year. However, it is usually warm year round with the exception of maybe December-January.
Net price and affordability at each?
@ucbalumnus
Both out of state, although parents would move out to CA if I go to UCLA. My family can also afford all OOS tuition.