<p>I applied to Cornell as my first choice, which I'll definitely go if I got accepted. Unfortunately, I was rejected by the university a few days ago.
Now, I've been accepted into the University of Rochester and a bunch of SUNY schools (State University of New York). And I don't know where I should go.
The two major ones that I'm looking at are University of Rochester and SUNY Brook.
I want to double major in computer science and business/economics.
And here are the pros and cons of each school.</p>
<p>Rochester pros/SUNY Stony Brook cons:
1. It's one of the top 35 national universities in the U.S., which is more reputable and accredited when it comes to employment.
2. It's a small size academic university, which means more emphasis on academics (rather than sports).
3. It has a large endowment, which gives students more opportunities to do researches.
4. Since it's a private small size academic university, I can get more individual attentions.
5. I have more opportunities to get to know my professors, which can be beneficial if I ask them for letters of recommendations.
6. It has a really good business program that Stony Brook doesn't have (Stony Brook only offers economics major, which is somewhat too "theoretical" in the real world).
7. The computer science program emphasizes more on programming and web designing, which is more practical than learning advanced computer algorithm (Again, Stony Brook puts more emphasis on computer theory than application).</p>
<p>Rochester cons/SUNY Stony Brook pros:
1. In term of computer science ranking, Stony Brook ranks #44 on the national scale, Rochester ranks #50~ on the national scale (but Stony Brook is more theory-based).
2. It's more EXPENSIVE than Stony Brook (this reason out-weights almost every single good reason I mentioned above).</p>
<p>Here is also some of my background if it helps:
I'm thinking about going to either Cornell or Stanford for grad school in computer science [this is where the ranking and letters of recommendation come in].
I'm planning on working for a company for a few years before I pay off my student loans (doesn't matter where) [this is where the money factor comes in].
After I gain some solid foundation, I want to design my own branded product and become an entrepreneur [this is why I evaluate Rochester's business program].</p>
<p>I'd really appreciate it if you guys can offer me some suggestions!</p>
<p>I always say: go where you can afford, where they have your program and where you feel comfortable. It’s up to you and your family to weight those. </p>
<p>Well, my parents can and are definitely willing to afford it, but they can barely afford it without getting broke.
I just feel somewhat “guilty” by robbing all the saving that my parents have.
I do lean more towards Rochester because its campus environment is gorgeous (despite the fact that it’s located in the ghetto). Stony Brook is located in a suburban setting, but the campus is rather unpleasant.
However, I don’t know if it’s worth the extra money just to get that “better feeling” about the campus.</p>
<p>UofR is bounded by the Genesee River, a cemetery, a county park and a premier medical center - not sure how anyone could confuse that with a ghetto!</p>
<p>I think if you enter the campus from the west, you might think it is a ghetto.
But if you see other neighborhoods on the East side of the campus, you will see some wealthy neighborhoods.</p>
<p>I really like the campus and the city.
We stayed one time at the hotel on the other side of the river, and another time at a 4 star hotel downtown.</p>
Just want to point out that this is not an option. You’ll be expected to start making payments as soon as you graduate. You don’t get to wait until you feel like you can”afford” the payments. And, if you do wait, in addition to the risk of going into default, the accruing interest will make your debt skyrocket!</p>
<p>As for the choice of schools, this sounds like a conversation you should be having with your parents. It’s clear that you want to go to Rochester . . . so talk to them and see what they want.</p>
<p>And if you end up at SUNY, you can make up for the less practical aspects of the curriculum by being pro-active and going out and finding internships where you’ll be able to learn the practical skills that you need - in both business and computer programming. It’s not the easiest way to do things, but getting that work experience under your belt will definitely be a huge advantage later on!</p>