<p>Basically, which is better overall, in terms of obtaining a good computer science education as well as a college experience? At SMU I currently have $26k annually in scholarships, while at UTD I have full tuition + $6k annual stipend for scholarships. Currently, I feel like I would learn just as much computer science from either school, but I feel like SMU has the better college experience. From what I hear, UTD doesn't exactly have a social scene, but I haven't completely given up on UTD because it is a lot cheaper than SMU. Is there some other reason that I should choose UTD over SMU, besides the money?</p>
<p>For comp sci, I would say UTD. Sure UTD doesnt have the college atmosphere like SMU, but the comp sci department is better in my opinion. Better job prospects after you graduate.</p>
<p>Using varying metrics, UTD CS is ranked a bit ahead of SMU’s (publication rate, USNews, etc.). In addition, you can get a free education at UTD vs. a $100k (over 4 years) education at SMU. Since they are both in the Dallas area, I would imagine they would each have similar internship opportunities.</p>
<p>I suggest you make contact with folks at the SMU Lyle school and at UTD. Explain your situation. There is a chance, albeit remote, that SMU could increase their incentive.</p>
<p>Even at the same cost, I would go with UTD for comp sci unless OP really wants a traditional college experience.</p>
<p>bigreddawgie - thanks for the reply.</p>
<p>Can you please elaborate on your assertion that UTD > SMU, college experience omitted? </p>
<p>Do you have any specific data regarding job opportunities, etc? I’m far more familiar with UT Austin.</p>
<p>In terms of college experience, some of the main differences I noticed are that UTD does not have football or much greek life; I am perfectly fine with missing out on the football because it never particularly interested me, and I don’t plan on joining a sorority in either SMU or UTD because I hear they tend to be dangerous with drugs and alcohol and stuff, particularly at SMU (or maybe more so with the frats than the sororities). So football/sports and greek life aside, does UTD still pale in comparison to SMU? Or does UTD still have plentiful activities for students and stuff like clubs to get to know people better? UTD has a LOT of commuters, so it seems like that could cause the students to be isolated from each other and not be particularly social. Please tell me otherwise if this is not true, because that might heavily skew my preference toward UTD.</p>
<p>I have heard really good things about the UTD Computer Science program, I was thinking about doing Comp Sci but am going in a different direction but they have a very good program and I would think it is better than SMU. Plus it was way less expensive.</p>
<p>boilerhorn, I dont have any specific data. Just relaying the things i’ve heard from my friends. I’m not comp sci major.</p>
<p>Greek like at utd is pretty tame compared to other schools. no drug/alcohol related problems here. even without football and greek, i’d still say utd’s social scene is worse than smu. theres just more big events at smu and the surrounding area. utd does have lots of events for students though and each year, more and more new ones start (totally different than when I started 3.5 yrs ago). with so many students living on campus now, commuter issues dont really apply as much anymore like it use to.</p>
<p>Thanks. Do you think I would get anything out of touring UTD’s campus on a weekend? I live really close (30 minutes away) so transportation isn’t a problem. In a few days I am going to attend one of SMU’s programs for admitted students (Destination SMU) which is where you hear people speak about stuff, visit classes, and tour the campus. I’m thinking that I should be fair and also visit UTD, but I looked on their website and it seems they don’t have an equivalent of Destination SMU (or at least one in the future; I saw there was one on March 3rd that I missed).</p>
<p>campus is kind of dead on the weekends, but all the buildings will be open. I’m not sure if there are official student led tours on the weekends though.</p>