<p>Hi I am a HS senior and I am looking at some Engineering schools......Software/Computer Science. I am good in math and Physics.</p>
<p>I prefer warmer climate but did not want to make it a deal breaker so was wondering what if I end up at a place like UIUC and take study abroad options to escape the brutal winter!?</p>
<p>My list includes CMU also.</p>
<p>Overall if you have any suggestions of good colleges in warmer areas or schools with good study abroad experiences that would be great!</p>
<p>I am a 3.5GPA, tough courses, 2100 SAT's, 8 AP's with 5/4's. Thanks! OOS everywhere as I live abroad (US Citizen).</p>
<p>UIUC has a fantastic CS department but it is in southern Illinois. CMU has a top CS department but is very difficult to get accepted to. I suggest you consider Rice in Houston which has warmer weather. Also, consider Engineering at UCLA and USC in Los Angeles. Harvey Mudd is also excellent for Engineering in southern California. UCSD is also excellent for engineering and there are many companies in the San Diego area for jobs. Georgia Tech in Atlanta is also worth looking into. Keep in mind that if you apply to these schools, there will be different prices depending upon scholarships, financial aid, etc. Feel free to PM me if you want more specifics as we went through an Engineering search for our son.</p>
<p>Plus. Study Abroad is not every year. Mostly you are allowed one year - some schools allow 2, but that’s it. You will still be there for at least 2 winters, if not 3.</p>
<p>Furthermore, due to the rigid nature of many engineering school academic tracks, they are far less likely to have study abroad options. There are some, but far fewer than those available to liberal arts majors.</p>
<p>Just go someplace warm: Georgia Tech, Harvey Mudd.</p>
<p>I don’t see how you’d be able to study abroad during the core of every year for any major and especially for CS. Even if it was possible you’d be negating the reason for going to a highly ranked program like UIUC’s in the first place.</p>
<p>If weather’s important to you then I agree with the above posters to consider other colleges with highly ranked CS programs that are in warmer climates - UCSD, UCLA, UCB, USC, etc. You could also try for Harvey Mudd or CalTech but I think those would be tough reaches with your stats (UCB, UCLA, and possibly UCSD should not be considered safeties either). Other UCs to consider are UCI, UCD, UCSB, and the others.</p>