I was recently accepted to Northwestern for a dual degree at Bienen and McCormick, and invited to their Murphy Institute, which would give me great research opportunities. I also got into CMU’s Computer Science school. So far, everyone has been telling me to go to CMU because of perceived job opportunities I’d have afterwards. However, I was also offered money for research at NU, and given NU’s location, I’m sure there’d be many job fairs and such as well. I was wondering if you all could weigh in some of the benefits/downsides of going to each, and which one would ultimately be the better choice for internship opportunities and jobs(and salary) after college since I am pretty career-oriented. My financial package at each was about the same, but I’d be in a five-year program at NU.
CMU is top-notch in CS, but NU would open more doors outside CS (especially in the prestige industries of finance and consulting), though you’d have opportunities in many fields from both. So that’s what it comes down to: What field(s) would you rather be in?
How much do you want top-level musical training while pursuing your CS?
If plan to pursue a career in CS, then go to CMU. Its program is arguably the best in the country and you’re almost guaranteed a choice of good jobs. Considering NU would cost an extra year - unless the research opportunities there are something you’re personally very interested in, I’d go with CMU.