Lots of questions from a future computer science major. Some advice please.

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>Okay, so I want to be a dual major in computer science and business. I care more about my computer science education rather than my business, but I want both to be good. While searching for a good computer science program, I would always find rankings for computer engineering not computer science. I figure if a school has a good computer engineering program than it must have a good computer science program. Is that the case? If a school has a top computer engineering program, does that mean its computer science program is good as well? </p>

<p>I also need help choosing a college and I have a few in mind. My top choices are University of Washington and University of Michigan, but I also need to apply to instate schools such as Virginia Tech and UVA. I know all of these universities are good, but which one of these would have the best computer science program? I also want a school that would help me get into a top grad school for computer science and MAYBE a MBA. The top grad schools I am looking at are MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, and maybe Michigan and Washington. But only Michigan and Washington if I go there, and I am aiming for the big 3. Which one of these schools would help me get into Stanford, MIT, or Carnegie Mellon? If I stay instate, would it be better to go to UVA than Virginia Tech? I know Virginia Tech has a better undergrad for computer science and that would help me in the work force, but I believe UVA would help me get into a better grad school. I am pretty dead set on attending grad school too. </p>

<p>I know I have more questions but I am spacing out right now. But I will keep these thread updated with questions. But any advice? I know my goals will be difficult, but that is okay. I am really focused and determined to do this, and I all need a slight push in the right direction. Also, feel free to throw any schools or programs I should look out for. Thanks guys.</p>

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<p>I looked at the USNWR ranking of undergraduate computer engineering schools, and every school on the list is excellent for CS. So yes. However, I wouldn’t put too much stock in rankings… going to a good school does not mean you will learn anything. It’s on you.</p>

<p>Of the four undergrad schools you mention, I think that the “best” school in an academic, abstract, general (and in my opinion useless) sense is Michigan Ann Arbor. In the sense you’re asking, this would also help most in going to grad school.</p>

<p>Between VT and UVA, VT would be the better choice. I’m not too terribly familiar with the two schools, but I’m just going by my prejudices.</p>

<p>Here’s a question for you: which school that you list has the most interesting program? You are interested in CS and Business… let me take a quick look at the 4 programs and try to give you a real idea of where you should go.</p>

<p>…</p>

<p>From U. Wash.:
No pre-defined systems, as far as I can tell. You’d be winging it.</p>

<p>From U. Mich.:
Simultaneous Bachelor’s Degrees from the College of Engineering and the Ross School of Business
[Michigan</a> Engineering | Undergraduate Degree Options](<a href=“http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/academics/undergrad/degreeoptions.html]Michigan”>http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/academics/undergrad/degreeoptions.html)</p>

<p>It looks like this is pretty well thought out.</p>

<p>UVA:
Engineering Business Minor
[SEAS</a> >> Degree Programs >> Engineering Business Minor](<a href=“http://www.seas.virginia.edu/advising/businessminor.php]SEAS”>http://www.seas.virginia.edu/advising/businessminor.php)
This looks pretty good… less stressful than the U. Mich. option, but probably also less beneficial, but definitely will put you in a better place than “just” an engineering degree.</p>

<p>VT: similar program to UVA</p>

<p>Overall, it looks like the three latter programs would all be good for you, probably U. Mich. the best, but I don’t know about U. Wash. Of the four, it seemed the least impressive overall.</p>

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<p>Thank you for your help AuburnMathTutor. I thought Michigan was one of the stronger programs, and its nice to see you did some research in your response. So thank you. But I think computer science wise Washington was the strongest program. Out of all programs on the list, Michigan was the one that looked most interesting. Michigan has a strong business program as well as engineering, so naturally that is top on my list But I recently stumbled upon Washington, and I am trying to figure out as much information as I can. With Washington being close to Microsoft and it also being one of the best computer science programs in the nation, it has me reconsidering. Does anyone have any knowledge of Washington’s computer science program?</p>

<p>Also, how important is your undergrad school when applying for admission into a top grad school? Meaning, can going to well known engineering program for undergrad boost an application when trying to go to a top graduate school?</p>

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<p>I would suggest not worrying about the numbers so much and going to the school that fits you the best (campus wise, program wise, personality wise, etc). Also all the schools you mentioned are very good, so I wouldn’t worry about whether one school being ranked higher will help you get into a top grad school. It is all about what you DO, not where you go.</p>

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<p>Well it could be used as an indicator to some degree. Keep in mind that not all CS programs reside within the same department as computer engineering. At my school Cmpe/EE were in the same school of engineering while computer science was in the school of computing.</p>