<p>I know I've talked to GLOBALTRAVELER about this before but I want other input as well. </p>
<p>It's almost time for me to apply to colleges and I was wondering how important it is where you get your Bachelor's? </p>
<p>For example, I want to pursue Computer Science/Engineering so what would be the difference between getting a Bachelor's at UF (instate school) and then Master's/PhD at somewhere like GTech/Michigan as opposed to getting all three degrees at a good engineering school (Gtech, Michigan, UIUC).</p>
<p>Because I am not sure yet if I should stay instate for Bachelor's since it's wayyy cheaper. I'm also asking because I might not be a strong candidate for OSS schools so I'm wondering how my outlook would be like to receive a Bachelor's from Florida (ie. Entry Salary, Job Availability, Market Respect, etc) </p>
<p>they would mainly look at your higher degree. so if you get a masters then the bachlors school isnt really important. But it is easier to get into grad school if you went to harvard then some hick state school (over exageraated metaphor)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Connection wise
More renown and better recognized schools generally have a stronger network, for job placement, internship opportunity, scholarship opportunity, and entrepreneurship. Most schools (I am talking schools that exist for many years) are good, despite they might not have the strongest one. Location is also factor, relative to your prospect majors and career path.</p></li>
<li><p>Environment
Most of the schools that are superly-recognized are usually “university”. You might not like this. A lot people prefer smaller one (students body from 3000 to 10,000)… In addition, again, location is a big deal. For example, Columbia. Urban campus. You might not like it. It’s more or less a commute school, although many students choose to dorm or live around school… It’s good as a urban because it;s located in the heart of New York City. Stony Brook, sub-urban campus. But this is bad if you want to go around to hunt for a job, a research (not on campus)…But most students live on campus. So most people are forced to stay inside and make a lot of stuff if they are willing to…</p></li>
<li><p>Cheap school means no opportunity?
That’s not wrong when you are talking about really really bad schools. Good schools like CUNY, the instate tuition is $2300 per semester. The CUNY system is very complex, and each school has its own strong departments and weaker one. Let say John Jay for Criminal Justice. It’s usually for people interested in that area, such as criminal psychology, criminal justice forensics… the school would definitely have more opportunities specifically for those areas… Baruch College, know for its public affairs, business, finance, and accounting. You would be better off to be there to get its resource. It’s comparable to NYU Stern and Columbia Business school. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Now these are just so basic that you probably have that in your mind.</p>
<p>To answer your questions, I have to raise some questions:
Do you mind moving around?</p>
<p>If you plan to work as a software engineer, it’s a lot more flexible than Computer engineer, because you can work at home as a software engineer, literally.
Computer engineeris more site-oriented. In other words, it’s very rare to work at home… </p>
<p>Where you graduate is not the problem in general. What people look at is your resume and experience. Getting into MIT and did nothing is consider a drop out… IMO.</p>
<p>I am planning to do a lot of stuff for my CUNY CCNY school, specifically for CpE and CS (and other engineering departments as well). Students I encounter here are willing to help out the school. </p>
<p>A master degree is more critical. However, it’s totally up to the individual.
if you are willing to work out yourself, and instead relying on the school, I bet you will enjoy that a lot more.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information as well jwxie. And by moving around do you mean different states or what? I do want to be a software engineer and by the way should I get a degree in CS or CE if I want to be a software engineer? </p>
<p>Yea I want to help and get involved when I’m in school so I can have experience and stuff. </p>
<p>And do you know how hard it is to get a Master’s? And also how hard is it to get into a good CS/CpE school like Michigan and GTech for graduate school? </p>
<p>So basically getting a Bachelor’s from UF and them going to a better school for graduate school is fine as long as I put effort and gain experience?</p>
Yes, state. If you attend a school outside where you live you might find more opportunity there, but some people prefer to stay in their hometowns.</p>
<p>
Not difficult at all. There two types, thesis and non-thesis. Usually companies are willing to fund your non-thesis master. </p>
<p>
Yes and No. More applicants means more competitive admission… Good GRE scores, good recommendation, good resume all count…</p>
<p>
Depends on the type of software engineers. Most companies prefer computer science background, but it’s just what they listed on the site. Even business major can code better than I do (I know a few).
What made computer science more preferable for SE is just the fact that these guys know more computational theories than other people… in general.</p>
<p>Yes. That’s correct. Note that a lot people didn’t attend MIT, GaTech and their experiences and commitments are what made them more “valuable”.
The former CEO of HP Mark Hurd went to Balyor for business administration, and in less than 5 years he made HP the largest computer company. He didn’t graduate from Harvard… He’s like a legend in my opinion.</p>