It doesn’t seem to be that highly ranked. How big are the class sizes for CS, like Intro?
How many students in each grade major in Computer Science, approximately?
Any additional info about UT Dallas CS would be appreciated!
My DD is a freshman at UTD in CS, so I’ll try to answer your questions. As far as the number of CS per grade level, ASEE has 453 freshman, 290 soph, 355 juniors and 325 seniors. The class sizes for the intro classes are from 50 to 65. I think it is a good program, my DD turned down UT to go there. They claim 100% jobs/grad school after graduation which I believe. Between Dallas and Austin, there is a huge job market. California companies do recruit there. It is probably lessor known on the East Coast. The out of classroom support has been excellent between the math center, the CS mentoring center, prof and TAs, upperclassmen and fellow students. They do promote both internships and research. I think it is a great school for CS. Have any other questions, I will try to answer.
@GTAustin since my son is national merit finalist, he got HUGE offer from U of TX Dallas— this 1 has great access to tech companies, but it is a commuter school, and they do not guarantee dorms for anyone (also it does not offer a traditional college experience at all, does it?) does your DD like the dorms & roommates? clubs, activities, general area? I wonder if students scramble to find off campus housing, if the dorms are booked up.
My DD is also a NMF and the school caters to them. They get priority registration for both classes and housing. He will have no problem getting on campus housing both in the dorms, for first year, and the apartments for later years. As far as being a commuter school, my DD is from Austin, her roommates are from California, Iowa and Plano. In the honors dorm, the kids come from all over and do not go home on the weekends. She is involved in the swim club, ultimate frisbee club, UTDallas radio, some CS clubs, community service projects and is considering running for student govt. There are lots of things to get involved in.
As far as the surrounding area, it is suburbia, but that has advantages. It has close grocery stores, Target, restaurants, pharmacies, everything you need for daily living. It is also a safe environment. My DD jogs and I have no concern for her safety there. Here at Austin at UT, you have to worry about the panhandlers, the mentally ill and very drunk students, all across the street from UT - not a problem at UTD.
My DD did take a car to school which has been helpful. Its not necessary, she drives alot of her friends around, but it has broadened her experience there. She goes to concerts and museums in Dallas, has hiked in Oklahoma, camped at surrounding lakes. She has fun. It may not be the traditional college scene with large sports events and Greek parties every weekend but I think it is a much healthier environment.
I hope your son gives UTD a chance. It has been great for my DD. BTW, she is doing study abroad this summer in Florence in art that UTD is paying mostly for. We really couldn’t ask for anything more.
That sounds great! I looked at National Merit offer, and it has full tuition, $4000 per semester for books, supplies, and $1500 per semester for on campus housing, up to $6K for international.
How much is on campus housing? What would our final cost be, besides airlines tickets?
The dorms next year will be $815/month for 9 months, so about $7335. There is various food plans. My DD went with 14 meals/week at $1800/semester so $3600 per year and that was actually too many meals for her. It basically covers tuition, fees and all living expenses. She rents her textbooks with an option to buy, so that cost is pretty minimal probably around $200/semester. We do have our own health insurance. If we had to buy that if would have been another $200/month.
Next year, at the apartments, she is trying for a 4X2, which is a little less than $600/month and will not be buying the food plan, maybe just some dining dollars. If they cook, their living expenses will decrease. They could actually have some left over spending money.
If we lived in TX, then he would go there! But we are within driving distance to his other FULL RIDE: U of Kentucky in Lexington (1 hour from Cincinnati, OH) ----will still consider TX for Computer Science…
My other DD is at school at Pitt and we drove thru Lexington on the way up. Beautiful country!
I do hope you come down and visit UTD. It does have a good CS program, also has a CS honors program. My DD is in that and that has been good. Two classes a semester are with the same 30 students creating a cohort. She has had lunch with Google representatives as well as CS professors. Dr. Ivan Page is in charge of it. If you come visit, maybe you could arrange to talk to him about it and the advantages.Good luck to you and if you have any other questions - just ask.
are APTS at 400 University Village Drive? http://www.apartmentratings.com/tx/richardson/university-village-apartments_972235834675081/
No, UTD is located on the other side of Central Parkway and north off of West Campbell Road. The University apartments are off of Waterview Parkway.
Yes, Lexington KY is in pretty area, near gorgeous horse farms, and nice weather. U of KY has traditional college town. I think TX might have more TECH opportunities, but I think KY has different advantages. ALSO< we may have missed the opportunity for HONORS in TX… it may have filled up.
I don’t think so. My DD was asked to test for it right around this time last year. I know several other students were asking about it just last week so I don’t think they have extended the invitations yet. It is run differently than other honors. Students don’t apply for it but they can ask to be considered by writing Dr. Page. Info can be found at http://www.utdallas.edu/~ivor/ComputingScholars/.
I looked at UTD apartments, and based on very poor reviews, it sounds like a Sophomore would be better if:
- He/she has a car,
- Find his own apartment, or share a home
The dorms for Freshman look super nice, but it could get expensive if you do not want to live in the Waterview area:
http://www.apartmentratings.com/tx/richardson/waterview-park-apartments_972454500075080/
have u seen this about Waterview?? as a parent, it raised RED FLAGS about many issues
http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/the-dorm-from-hell-6382151
The article was written in 2005 and many things have changed since then especially in the sexual assault area. My DD has friends living in the apartments and has been in several of them and they are fine. They are old, they were the first housing at UTD but totally functional. There have been complaints about the way housing has been assigned in the past but they are trying a new method this year. I have also heard some complaints about the cleanliness of the apartments when moving in in the fall, not all units just some. I think it is due to students living there during the summer and moving out right before school begins and not leaving enough time to clean. There is always the issue of internet speed but they are in the process of upgrading the system. They are also building 2 new, on campus apartment complexes for upperclassmen. I’ll let you know how it is after my DD moves in next year.
I just read the reviews and noticed bugs were mentioned. In Texas, there are many bug issues. It really never gets cold enough long enough to kill them. Roaches are here and are made worse if the students don’t clean up after themselves. A little borax will go a long way.
UTD is great choice for CS and National Merit.
Our other choice (besides KY) is U of Central FL for full ride, near Orlando! Gorgeous campus! All 3 are different.
In addition, still waiting on Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh! Tied with MIT in CS!!! also Applied to Cornell, Princeton, etc.
@2sunny You realize that Dallas Observer article is 12 years old? There are brand new apartments adjacent to campus but not run by UTD at Northside http://www.liveatnorthside.com/ if you want something more upscale that campus housing.
@3scoutsmom those look very pretty… then I read the poor/average reviews
http://www.apartmentratings.com/tx/richardson/northside_9199332346275159758/
UTD is #70 in the nation