Tufts or UCSD? (Computer Science Undergrad)

College Search & Selection
1

I’m currently deciding between Tufts and UCSD. I’ve been admitted to UCSD as an Undeclared Physical Sciences major in Warren, and Tufts as Undecided within the College of Arts and Sciences. I am thinking about studying computer science, which UCSD is ranked #15 for and Tufts #70, but I’m not completely sure yet. I know UCSD comp sci is very strong and can easily get me a software developing job in Silicon Valley (correct me if i’m wrong), with a starting salary of around $70-80k. However, I’ve also talked to current comp sci majors at Tufts and they said they know many seniors who are going to graduate and work for top companies like Google and Microsoft. Many companies in Boston look at Tufts students as well for internships and jobs. In terms of overall rankings, Tufts is ranked higher and is well known in the Boston area, while UCSD is also well known in the west coast. Another thing to note is that in the UC system, I’ll be competing with an absurd number of students just like me for a limited number of jobs in the west coast, while at Tufts I’ll be more unique because computer science is not really what Tufts is known for.

As for my personal preferences disregarding academics, I know both campuses are stunningly beautiful. I would be content living on either coast (I grew up in the midwest). I’ve heard the students at Tufts are extremely friendly and approachable, and the community is close-knit due to the small undergraduate class size. I’m more likely to develop close relationships with my professors at Tufts compared to a large public school like UCSD. UCSD is a bit cheaper but costs is not my top priority.

I grew up in the midwest then moved to a competitive international high school in Beijing, China, so I’m used to an environment where students are stuck in their rooms studying all day. I’m introverted myself but love being social too!

Overall, I acknowledge that there are pros and cons at both schools and can’t make up my mind. I’m specifically looking for advice in comparing the two computer science programs. Also, how prestigious are the names of UCSD and Tufts and how do they compare in the comp sci world (west vs east coast)? Thanks for all the help in advance.

2

One key point there was “computer science is not really what Tufts is known for”. An employer isn’t going to go “Oh, another UCSD grad, throw the resume away”—an employer will look at your resume and understand that 1) you were able to maintain a solid GPA in a competitive program, 2) you’ve already done a significant amount of research because Jacobs School grads are required to complete a senior design project, and/or 3) you have significant internship or work experience because of the many startups and conglomerates based around UCSD—among other benefits.

The jobs are on the west coast, and whether you graduate from Tufts or UCSD, you’re still going to be competing for the same spot.

Students at UCSD are friendly too! (It’s a surf town, when we’re not studying we’re pretty laid back (and even when we are, actually)). The college system creates a closer sense of community, and if you look at my post http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18354829/#Comment_18354829 here you’ll see that it’s not that difficult to establish a relationship with professors. People study hard, but there are plenty of social opportunities (like any other university would have).

THERE IS ONE CAVEAT: Engineering is an impacted program at UCSD, meaning you’re not guaranteed admission into CSE. Keep that in mind while making your decision. Feel free to ask me any further questions you might have, and good luck!

3

Both of these schools have a strong engineering program, even if Tufts is ranked much lower on whichever website - rankings aren’t everything. Both are good names, although many would argue that Tufts is more prestigious. In the end, it should come down to what you want in a school. Do you want a smaller community or a bigger one? East Coast environment/climate or West Coast? Visit both schools if you can. Get a feel for them. Since you already know both schools are strong in comp sci, try to base your final decision off of whichever is a better fit for YOU.

4

My daughter has very good relationship with her professor. She was invited to lunch with one of the guy she works for and on email/friendly basis with her professor. In fact, the guy she works for is sort of a mentor. She even said if she needs a letter of recommendation she can ask him either for job or graduate school.

5

The spouse went to UCSD long, long ago, and was very happy there. Our D1 is graduating from Tufts in May with a CS major from the College of Arts and Sciences. She’s been very happy there. Agree they are both beautiful, but D1 REALLY enjoyed being able to fly out to her cousin’s bat mitzvah in SD during a Boston winter. :slight_smile: And this winter was harsh, which is one thing that helped convince her that she wanted to be working on the west coast, not the northeast.

Sounds like there’s no money issue between the two schools in terms of what your family can afford.

Getting a job in Silicon Valley or elsewhere with a CS degree plus a summer internship or two is going to be relatively easy from either of these two schools. I do not believe that you are going to be competing against others from “your” school for a job. Google, for instance, currently will fly out the top 10% of their applicant pool for a site visit, and then will make an offer to the top 1% of that smaller pool. They don’t care about looking for the “best” person from UCSD or Tufts or whatever. They aren’t thinking “ooh, someone from Tufts, that’s unusual, let’s do a phone interview with them instead of these 30 students from UCSD.” They want the best people, period. I also do not believe that there are a “limited” number of software engineering jobs on the west coast (or the east coast, for that matter). There may be a limited number of jobs at just Google et al, but there are PLENTY of places that need software engineers.

What the Tufts seniors told you fits with what I’ve heard from and know from my D1. Tufts students do get offers from big west coast tech firms. Many Tufts students, however, stay in the northeastern area, and at least in my D1’s experience it is easier to exploit Tufts CS networking on the east coast. If you are interested in looking at, say, startups or working at a small to medium tech company, it is going to be more difficult to find personal connections to suggest jobs like that on the west coast if you are coming from Tufts.

Your characterization of Tufts students as being close-knit, friendly, etc, also fits. And I cannot say enough about the support D1 has gotten from her professors and advisors at Tufts. In addition to the usual advice about what courses to take, what kinds of internships to pursue, and general career/academic path advice, they’ve been personally supportive during rough patches. They’ve helped her tear up and redo her resume. I’m sure that every professor she’s ever had, not to mention the entire administrative staff of the department, knows her by name. And I don’t think that’s unusual for the department, meaning that many other students have that same level of support if they want it.

Make sure you get opinions from CS majors at UCSD as well.

There are no bad choices here, just different options. Congratulations on having such wonderful choices.

6

For resume, my daughter also received unsolicited help from her mentor. He is a gem.