<p>I am looking to major in computer science, or perhaps information technology. The schools that I have been accepted to are..</p>
<p>Drexel University
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Rochester Institute of technology
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Massachusetts Amherst</p>
<p>Would you please give me your opinions on both the Information technology programs and then the computer science programs. Also I am aware that Drexel University and RIT both have co op programs. Which one is better for my fields of study?</p>
<p>Either Drexel or Amherst…</p>
<p>whats your reasoning…?</p>
<p>isn’t RIT considered very highly? by no means an expert, but that’s what I thought</p>
<p>For both academics and environment I’d say UMass Amherst or Drexel. The other UMasses are good, not great academically- although UMass Boston is at a great location. Can’t speak to RIT.
Thank you for asking so politely.</p>
<p>These are all good schools for CS, not sure if they all have IT (looks like it is a minor not major at UMass Amherst).
UMass Boston is a commuter school, they have no dorms.
UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst have very good engineering and science programs and are a great value.
If you can afford to go to private schools then you can flip a coin to decide between Drexel and RIT. Those two seem very similar in their offerings and are both co-op based education. Location is very different though.
Of them all I would actually choose UMass Amherst as their CS program is very highly regarded and they have been investing a lot of money in that program.</p>
<p>@summeraus RIT is not considered highly. You probably got it confused with RPI which is considered highly</p>
<p>@justinpopo My vote is for Amherst. It should be a no brainer decision. Drexel is not worth the price.</p>
<p>I am just worried that even if I go to Amherst with its highly regarded computer science program, I will be left inexperienced in the actual work place and jobless afterwards. That’s why I am interested in RIT and Drexel’s Co ops. They will leave me with experience and perhaps a job in the future.
Also is RIT really not that great of a school? I’ve read reviews about its IT program which interests me. I have been shying away from computer science, because I feel like I have lost my love of programming ever since taking a programming class in high school this year. I am gaining interest in more IT type things such as networking, security, system administration etc. Also I believe that IT will still teach me some programming.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your feedback.</p>
<p>UM - Amherst has a formalized optional co-op program: [UMass</a> Amherst - Careers Services: Internships](<a href=“http://www.umass.edu/careers/internships/]UMass”>http://www.umass.edu/careers/internships/)</p>
<p>Regarding CS versus IT, CS is for people who want to design computers and their software, while IT is for people who want to manage computers and their software.</p>
<p>Many IT major programs are more business-oriented, with relatively little technical depth compared to CS major programs. If you major in IT, you may want to consider taking the CS versions of the operating systems, networks, security, and database courses in order to get a stronger technical background in those parts of CS that are most relevant to IT.</p>
<p>You can gain experience through summer internships while in college, though usually not until after you’ve finished sophomore year. But if you really want the co-op experience, then choose RIT or Drexel.
What about the costs though? There is a big difference from UMass and the private schools.</p>
<p>I don’t think Umass Amherst is known for its co op. It isn’t listed in the top co op programs according to this.
[Internships/Co-ops</a> | Rankings | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/internship-programs]Internships/Co-ops”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/internship-programs)
Also BeanTownGirl, I kind of think that the paid co op and possible employment in the future in addition to experience will justify the price of RIT compared to Amherst. What do you think? Is IT co op paid and possible job in the future worth the extra tuition?</p>
<p>Choose Drexel if you really want co-op</p>
<p>As long as the career center attracts enough co-op recruiters that you can get a reasonable co-op job when you want one, that should be sufficient. It doesn’t matter if the school heavily pushes co-op jobs as long as you can find one if you want one. Check the career center at UM - Amherst and other schools for more information.</p>
<p>Yes, co-op jobs should be paid, and you should not be paying school tuition during the co-op period (although some of the schools may be more expensive than others).</p>
<p>Is Drexel’s IT program and coop program better than RIT’s?</p>
<p>Both are equal. I said Drexel because of NIT’s pathetic male to female ratio. Also, Drexel has a lot of majors but RIT is engineering oriented. RIT has much bigger campus though.</p>
<p>Another difference between RIT and Drexel is location, RIT is in the suburbs and has long, snowy winters. The weather is better at Drexel but the urban location I have heard is a bit gritty. Haven’t been there, though I have been to RIT.
As to whether it is “worth it” - I don’t know the specifics of your financial situation. I certainly would not incur a lot of debt to attend RIT or Drexel over UMass Amherst, in spite of co-ops. You need to do the math. Depending on FA, state residency etc. the difference in cost per year could be as much as 30K per year.</p>
<p>The thing is that, I’m not so sure if Computer Science is for me, I’m not what you would call a “natural” when it comes to math and programming logic, I’m a little slower when it comes to solving programming puzzles. although I have an A in Honors Computer programming in high school, I’m not so sure I’ll be so quick in College programming classes. I mean I still have the interest in computer science, I’ve even been trying to teach myself some programming. I just feel like I need a back up such as information technology which I am also thoroughly interested in. I mean if CS somehow doesn’t work out at Amherst, I don’t know what I would do, but at I guess Drexel and RIT, I could just change majors. Do you get what Im trying to say?
Thanks…</p>
<p>U Mass Amherst is a big public U with a vast array of majors offered. If you are uncertain about Comp Sci, that would be your best bet. If you do change majors and need an extra year to finish, you won’t totally blow out your budget.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to the other schools, but RIT actually has many majors other than engineering and computer science, and has co-ops for most of them. </p>
<p>If you are interested in rankings, I found a few here …</p>
<p>Their undergraduate business school is ranked 81st while UMass Amherst is 64 (Businessweek). </p>
<p>Other rankings from Business Insider:
RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering ranked among “The World’s Best Engineering Schools” in 2012. Ranked 27th globally overall. The rankings were based on surveys with technology companies.
RIT’s School of Design is ranked 11th among “The World’s 25 Best Design Schools” in a 2012 survey.</p>
<p>USNWR ranks RIT’s various programs here [Rochester</a> Institute of Technology | Overall Rankings | Best College | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rochester-institute-of-technology-195003/overall-rankings]Rochester”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rochester-institute-of-technology-195003/overall-rankings) and says "Despite its name, the Rochester Institute of Technology offers programs in the liberal arts, art and design, and business, in addition to science and technology majors. "</p>
<p>in addition, their photography and imaging science programs are well known.</p>
<p>The point being - there is more to RIT than engineering if you change your mind. However, the male/female ratio is a bit lopsided - my daughter is not complaining! We were impressed with the happy friendly students and engaged faculty. The weather is pretty dismal - but there is a network of underground tunnels.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, I just hope computer science is not too difficult… Im still interested in information technology though…</p>