Visiting UNC for a final time, tomorrow. Last visit was underwhelming. Suggestions for specific questions to ask the Computer Science department? My son really wants UNC to be his best option for CS program, but we are all leaning NC State. Just seems to have more opportunities for more students…where UNC seems to have opportunities for your very best and more outgoing kids…mine has always been the top of his class, but he’s coming from a very small community and a place where he’s known everyone his whole life.
Looks like UNC might be best if he was for sure doing the 5 year Masters plan. They seem to have better rankings for graduate school. Undergraduate reviews are all over the place…but, depending on finances and scholarships along the way (merit, FAFSA says we can pay more than realistic), need to be prepared to stop at a bachelor’s if need be. Am I wrong in thinking that both NC State and UNC would be a nice CS program? There are those (relatives and friends) that seem to believe even if the program at UNC isn’t as good as State gor undergrad, that the name alone is better on his diploma…
My son really wants the program that offers him the best education for CS and is unconcerned with “prestige”. At the same time, he obviously wants a job when he graduates 
@ParentOf2022 I have already given you my opinion on UNC CS program as my son is currently in it. I really don’t think anyone can really give you an honest opinion which is better. If you ask me of course UNC is better, if you ask a NC State person they will say State is better. You son should compare schools to where he would see himself for the next 4 years.
I will tell you my son changed majors 2 times since starting UNC. So what I am trying to say is don’t get caught up which is better as they are both great schools and he might change his major. Trust me kids do that all the time.
Let him pick on where he feels more comfortable and deposit down, get housing and meal plans. Go to the bookstore and buy him some tee shirts and he will become excited about what was in his heart and new school. If he picks UNC feel free to ask me questions
@Nurse001 I was more looking to see if there are questions we should ask specific to a computer science program, to compare and/or to give us a better idea of what they offer to the students. Things we may not think to ask or may be important that a Computer Science Program offers.
That’s why I posted here instead of at UNC or State page. Looking for Questions pertaining to Computer Science Major, whichever the school.
Other threads I’ve read, people have asked which particular schools yo compare programs. That’s why I mentioned them here.
Didn’t you say if your son had started out CS he might might have gone with State?
@ParentOf2022 Yes, you are correct. We would have picked State because my son was into Robotics all throughout high school and went to a Magnet school in NC that had Engineering so that was most of the courses he took in high school. Then in 11th grade he switched to Political Science so he picked UNC. Then in sophomore year at UNC he switched to Environmental science but quickly realized there were too many classes to take for that major and switched to Computer Science BS. That is what he should have taken in the first place.
So as you can see that kids change their majors alot as they are learning in college about themselves. The Computer program has been great but the math classes are super hard and very challenging and my son is great at math.
So go to UNC have him walk on campus and get a feel if he wants to call it home. Go to the library, eat a meal in the dining hall. If he is more excited about UNC then he should go with his gut.
I will say having 2 kids in college now, things don’t always go according to plan. I am a planner like you but after sons first semester in college I quickly realized things were out of my control such as studying, grades, staying out late, etc… Also jobs and internships are at all schools. Your kid just has to be motivated to go after the stuff.
Good luck at open house tomorrow. Hope he falls in love with UNC.
Now see…mine is stubborn and laser focosed. Once he chooses a major (CS), the chances of him switching gears is very slim. It’s just the way he is wired
He’s never had trouble going after what he wants. However, the competition has never been anyyhing like it will be at a large university. I think he’ll be fine. It will be an adjustment. He just needs to feel confident in his choice for a CS program. I’ve never seen him waffle so much. At least he’s taking it seriously, i guess. Here’s hoping the rain holds off, tomorrow!
He should take a look at the course catalog at each school before he visits. Does one of them offer better selection of courses? Are the advanced level courses offered every year? Also take a look at the CS faculty. What are their background? What types of research do they do? Do they teach? What courses do they teach? When he visits, attend some of these courses. Find out what courses are so popular that registrations are not guaranteed. What happens if he can’t register for a course? How does the school prioritize? Ask about summer internships and about recruiting. Which companies come to the school every year? How many students they typically hire (internships and permanent hires) each year on average?
How can you tell if advanced courses are taught every year? Is that something you just have to ask?
Catalog usually has that information. It may say if the course is offered in alternate year or if the course is not offered this academic year, etc.
@ParentOf2022 I just sent you a PM
He should ask whether students have trouble getting the courses they need to stay on track for 4 year graduation in his major area. (And he should ask current students – he might not get the straight story from administrators, and profs might not know). Also, my experience is that the course catalogs are often “padded” with courses that are rarely or no longer offered. Looking at the catalog AND at online registration availability (which is usually freely open on the website to search) is a better indicator of what is offered over the course of a full year.
All great suggestions