My son got accepted to both UTD (CS) and UT Austin (ECE). In State (Dallas suburb). Got ACE Scholarship to cover full tuition at UTD. How is ECE at UT ? Is it better than CS at UTD? We know UT has a name and the college feel (not like UTD). But overall, which one is better? Want to hear from alumni or current students or parents of students who been through this decision process. Please help.
Thanks!
I’m not an alum or student - but I don’t think anyone will tell you - certainly reputationally - that UTD is on the same planet as UT Austin. US News ranks UT Austin highly in both EE and CE. While I’m not a fan of rank per se, that would influence would you’d hear from the outside.
There’s a reason colleges like UTD and others “buy” top students in. They have to.
My son was “bought” although that’s not why he chose his school but he turned down Purdue with merit for Alabama (based on housing). While I disagreed because their ranking in engineering is practically non-existent, he’s done very well - with five offers this Fall and at strong money (all 5 offers) - so likely as good as he would have done at Purdue.
So my presumption is - outcome wise - perhaps UT is the stronger name but you can do well from both.
As for campus and day to day and which would be better for him, only he can answer that. Everyone in Texas seems to want UT or A&M - but I’m sure plenty struggle and decide it’s not for them - just like any campus. UTD, as you noted, won’t have the same college feel but for some that might be better.
Best of luck.
Those are very different majors. You should not look at them as interchangeable.
Oh good call - I saw CS and ECE and was thinking computer engineering at UT. I missed that.
OP - is this the program he’s taking at UTD?
Computer Engineering (BS) - UT Dallas 2021 Undergraduate Catalog - The University of Texas at Dallas
Here is what my son got -
BS (Comp Science) at UTD - Computer Science (BS) - UT Dallas 2022 Undergraduate Catalog - The University of Texas at Dallas
Curriculum | Texas ECE - Electrical & Computer Engineering at UT Austin at UT. This is what it says - Texas ECE offers a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with the option of two ABET-accredited programs of study: Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering. Effective Fall 2022, Texas ECE is offering a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The Electrical and Computer Engineering program is pending ABET accreditation.
When you look at the basic sequencing for graduation (https://utexas.app.box.com/s/sgbjgb1yig8av79u54jttpkqvd0wea5k) I can see Electrical courses all the way to 4th year.
What major / curriculum is preferred by the student?
He is not interested in 100% electrical. He is more interested in the computer side and at the same time, he did pretty well in HS for his Physics classes (including APs). I know CS and ECE are not comparing Apples to Apples but want to know if doing ECE at UT is better than him doing CS at UTD. Is ECE Honors hard at UT? He was asked about his interest for Honors after he got accepted by UT (he didn’t apply for that initially).
Can’t speak for UT. For both my kids honors is more for the kids. Smaller classes. More interesting topics. Not necessarily a career enhancer. It’s more for the kid themself.
See the requirements. For my son the engineer there’s a lot of humanities that don’t interest him. He’s barely taken classes and will drop it this last semester. He did it for housing and early class registration.
I wouldn’t think it would lead to a worse gpa. And UT already has smart smart kids. Review the program and benefits to decide.
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