So, I won’t be including money in this decision and I don’t want you all to do so either because either way, my parents will be able to pay for it.
Carnegie Mellon’s CS classes were great. Overall, I like the CS department more than UMD’s. I like how it’s small and their modern way of teaching etc. But my real passion lies with music, vocal performance, composition, production, anything related and I was really hoping to add on a double major in music my spring semester of my freshman year. And from my impression, CMU is tiny and barely accepts anyone in their double majors, has a choir that doesn’t even tour (I believe so. I couldn’t find any info on this), it’s most selective ensemble is only for junior/senior voice majors etc…
UMD is large and they have multiple ensembles including jazz vocal ensembles and multiple choral ensembles. Their choirs tour across the world… Their music dept. will probably accept more people than CMU’s and it also offers BMs and BAs so I wouldn’t even need to audition for some of their music majors. Speaking of which, they have more majors including in theory etc.
All my friends in HS were from music and it was also one of my only hobbies. And I can’t imagine a college expirience without music. But at the same time… I’m leaning towards CMU because of it’s amazing CS department. Overall, I’m EXTREMELY stressed and actually a bit depressed right now trying to make a decision.
UMD is also a great CS school, so while CMU is definitely a top CS school, it’s not like you’d be going to low ranked school. My good friend with 2 extremely bright CS majors has them both at UMD. CMU is also known for their performing arts, so I’d be surprised if you couldn’t find somewhere to get involved with music, if not a double major.
Have you spent time at both? I know someone at CMU, and the students seem to be a bit quirky for lack of better word. A state flagship like UMD i would think would have a more diverse student population, if that matters to you.
It is perfectly OK to choose UM-CP because you know that you can do a double-major with music there without any need for an audition. Frankly, that looks like the win/win situation for you. You can get a solid CS degree and still have time to fit in the music things that you like. And, if at one point decide that you really, truly, need to be pursuing some aspect of music instead of the CS, you will be positioned to make that transition.
CMU CS is significantly more prestigious - the gap in prestige/student quality is pretty huge. That being said, if you would not be happy there, it is completely okay to turn it down (you would be the first I have known to turn down CMU SCS). Maryland is still a great school for CS.
@deadgirl In all honesty, the difference in the quality of education between #1 and #16 for almost every college ranking system out there is nonexistent, and is usually based on minor differences in name recognition, application rates, and other factors which do not relate to quality of education.
Hi @deadgirl I know Pittsburgh pretty well and there are many many musical opportunities in the city beyond at CMU. If you are open to other performing experiences besides a double major or minor you may find that the community of CMU/Pitt meets your musical needs. Music is important… so is CS. Good luck to you!
As someone in the world of software engineering - yes the difference is pretty significant.
Your peers at UMD CS are not the same as CMU CS. The incoming standardized test score ranges and other credentials are very different (CMU CS is more along the lines of a school like Stanford), and the recruiting differences also show this. This is NOT a minor difference. Both programs are great, but there are not on the same level of prestige.
How did Sergey Brin make it out of UMD to create Goggle? The level of students and classes must not have been very helpful. Or perhaps he was helped by a CMU grad along the way. Lol.
Go to CMU because you love it and you prefer the environment. It’s an awesome school. And Pittsburgh is pretty great too.
The CS education is amazing and all encompassing, if you believe thats your calling, CMU is going to give you a bit more attention and absolutely the best shot at a PhD or masters in a top CS program, or a very good west coast or east coast career in CS. CMU has quite a few students that do a 4 semester research option in CS, but you don’t have to go that route, if you don’t want a PhD. It is very math heavy degree, but Maryland is not far behind in math requirements either.
The music may in fact be really amazing if you can double major at CMU. Find out whats possible in voice at CMU.
Since it is down to two schools your comparison task is easier. When it come to CS, what is most important for you? Undergrad research opportunities? A specific CS track? Interested in classes by a particular professor? List what your interests are and create your own ranking.
If you compare the two only on “reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes”, I think CMU clearly stands out. (sorry I used one of the definitions of prestige instead of the word )
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