UBC-Vancouver vs University of Washington for Computer Science

<p>Overall UBC-Vancouver is ranked higher as a university in typical “world” rankings (although I understand that rankings are all subjective) but specifically in Computer Science UW is ranked higher. Also the CS profs at UW seem to have better credentials than at UBC. But I’m interested in possibly living in Vancouver after college and it seems reasonable that going to college there might give me an advantage when job-hunting (or in obtaining citizenship?). What do you think?</p>

<p>You get a year for citizenship and they give you a year to find some real work if you go to school here.</p>

<p>Honestly, SFU’s is probably the more practical CS program, if you’re angling towards Vancouver. UW is pretty good too. UBC’s program is very high-level, if you’re into AI and stuff it’s a very good school, the department collaborates with engineering a lot. Don’t overlook Computer Engineering either, a different twist on the traditional CS degree.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info! Actually AI is exactly what I’m interested in, though I’m more interested in machine learning and cognitive systems than robotics. Last week I visited UW and UBC and I sat in on two CS classes at each place. Both universities were interesting and I think I’d learn at lot at either one. It’s hard to know how much importance to place on the “time earned” toward Canadian citizenship/residency. Guess I’ll wait to see where I’m admitted and then do some more thinking.</p>

<p>Ah! You’re interested in Cognitive Systems. Different program at UBC. They’ve got some great researchers at UBC in Cogs, David Poole, Elizabeth Croft over in Engineering has the CARIS lab which might just be the coolest room on campus, at least that I’ve been in.</p>

<p>Where did you end up deciding? I’m looking into the same program and I got accepted into both UBC Vancouver and University of Washington. I don’t know which would be a better choice for me. I love both campuses so I think I would be happy at either. Thoughts on your choice?
I also got into SFU but when I visited the campus I wasn’t really loving it. Seemed to dreary for me and I don’t think I’d be happy there.</p>