I got admitted into Seattle University’s computer science program and also into UIUC’s System Engineering program. I would like to major in CS and hopefully get internships at good companies. But i am conflicted on which university i should attend. UIUC has more of a reputation whereras Seattle U gave me the major i wanted. anyone have any advice?
If you really want to do CS and have no interest in Systems Engineering don’t bother coming to UIUC. The CS program is near-impossible to transfer into, there are stories of people with 4.0 GPAs being declined.
However, there’s a few new +X majors opening up which might have reduced requirements as they try to add more student enrollment. If you have any interest in GIS, Music, Philosophy, Crop Sciences, or Econ you could try for those.
If you feel like you’re a really strong student and willing to work super-hard, you might have a chance (and a better one than some other years due to the new majors). However, be prepared to transfer to a different university if you really want to do CS.
I’ll offer a different view than what @literallymarx said. So you’ve been admitted into Seattle University and UIUC… There is an extremely large difference between the engineering programs of both schools - enough that you should consider doing Systems at UIUC and minor in CS. A minor in CS, especially from UIUC, carries you much farther than what most people think - for most software positions, including those at top tier companies, you could get in having taken courses just up to Data Structures, which is a sophomore level class. The rest comes to how much practice you put into coding.
I’m in SE right now and if you want to do CS I don’t recommend attending uiuc. Most classes in the major are more applied physics and wouldn’t be useful for CS. Also it is difficult to get into CS classes without being CS. If you are in state for Seattle I’ll attend there
Seattle University is a private Roman Catholic affiliated school in a great location. Those who do well get great internships & jobs with major Seattle employers.
Contrary to what KingPlateMan says, it isn’t as bad as it is said for non majors to get into CS classes - in fact, it’s pretty doable, even alongside the regular pace of the CS curriculum. I have several friends not even in engineering (which gets a priority over non engineering non majors) who are following along with CS majors.
My son is a non-CS engineering major and has had to stalk some CS classes for drops to get a seat, as they have been full when opened to other engineering majors. I think he has had pretty good luck doing that so far and should get a CS minor if the luck holds.