Need to choose between: NC State Vs University of Maryland, College Park for Computer Science

College Search & Selection
1

I could really use some advice and help here. International student (but US Citizen) admitted to NC State College of Engineering with Computer Science Major with a financial aid of $10K per year and then UMD College Park surprised me yesterday with acceptance to the CS program !!!

Now I am in a real dilemma. Should I take the NC-State CS with 10K offer (Works out to $35K per year) or the UMD offer (at $47K per year, don’t know about Financial Aid Yet). Is UMD’s CS program significantly better that it is worth the extra $60K…

NC-State being in the RTP area provides significant opportunities for co-op, and internships and jobs after that.

Any advise would be appreciated.

2

Wait until you see the FA/scholarships at UMD to compare.

Obviously, each has convenience to different types of local jobs and internships.

3

@ucbalumnus thank you for your kind words. I am waiting for UMd to provide me the financial package before making the decision. I am seeing a lot of fantastic stuff being discussed about UMD’s CS program and it has excited me at the opportunity.

4

@pitblr, do you know when UMD’s aid decisions will be announced?

5

@FieldOfDaffodils Not sure. I am still having difficulty creating their DirectoryID.

6

Wait till you hear back from umd. If it’s within 5k of ncsu and you’ve got experience with cs/programming/algorithms, that’s what I’d pick.

7

You could be considered for the BK Merit Scholarship if you are a merit scholar. However, NC State has a good computer science program. UMD has better internships though since it is near all those defense contractors in DC.

8

@MYOS1634 I don’t have any prior experience in CS/Programming/Algorithms. Is that a big requisite to enrolling at UMCP CS program?

@Mahindra Yet to access my Financial Aid package (if any). I think both the schools are surrounded by enough tech companies for doing co-ops, internships.

9

@Mahindra At UMD, BK Scholarships have already been awarded for next year. They required applying by the November 1 priority date, as did other merit aid. (You may still be eligible to apply for department scholarships, though.)

I’m not sure how long it takes for notification of need-based aid.

10

Just be aware that most students will have programming experience already.

11

Sorry then.