<p>So its down to these two and I really dont know what to do. I plan to major in computer science and I've been hearing that at chicago, i'd get a much more theoretical education (which i'd enjoy) but i also plan to attend graduate school, so does the undergraduate program matter at that point?</p>
<p>Another issue is fun. now, i'm not the big party type but what worries me about chicago is that there may be too much workload and competition that i may get too stressed out which is not what i want happening.</p>
<p>any suggestions? (or further clarification)</p>
<p>Chicago is often considered one of the top 10-15 schools in the entire world. In fact, any educated man who were to say otherwise is really a fool.<br>
Chicago is undoubtedly a top 10 super power when it comes to drilling out research. Chicago has 82 nobel prize winners, if that says anything important (harvard has 83).</p>
<p>Chicago has one of the best brand names in the world. Every undergrad program is among the very best in the US, if not the world. Grad school is a whole other story. Not only does Chicago have some of the best placement for grad school, and some of the brightest students, but Chicago grad school has every program among tops in the country. Chicago graduate business is arguably at a 1st place tie in quality with a couple other programs.</p>
<p>Their arts programs are among tops with Berkeley, Harvard, Columbia, and a few others. Sciences are incredible too. </p>
<p>Also, a Chicago education, imo, is one of the most impressive educations you can come by. Students arent cut-throat competetive, but there is a great sense of intellectual appreciation at Chicago.</p>
<p>Chicago isnt much of a party school as far as I know or have experienced (took Japanese there last summer). It was very intense, but still awesome. My teachers were brilliant, and all my friends teachers were brilliant too.</p>
<p>I guess you could say I am biased towards UChicago, but then again, anyone who knows both schools will say without a doubt, Chicago is a better school.</p>
<p>I guess you could say I am biased towards UChicago, but then again, anyone who knows both schools will say without a doubt, Chicago is a better school.</p>
<p>Unless you want to do engineering of any kind ^^</p>
<p>well uchicago would be cheaper but only by about 4000. also, i know uchicago is a great school but uillinois is also very well known for their CS department (5th in the nation i believe)</p>
<p>if you want to WORK in computer science, maybe take Illinois. this is coming for a UChicago promoter. if you only want to major in cs, then work in something else take chicago. i visited recently and the people said the workload is manageable and there are parties ever week</p>
<p>If you got into UChicago, you can do the work. It's totally fine that you don't like to party that much-- I don't like to party either-- but there are plenty of ways to be social without drinking or going to big parties. You will work hard, but you will also have time to be social.</p>
<p>Competition isn't that much of a factor, as students don't share how they are doing with each other. You may feel intimidated by the classroom experience, and intimidated by how smart the people are around you, but if you are confident enough in yourself to realize that you don't have to be the smartest person in the room, again, I think you'll be fine. I know I'm not the smartest person here by a long shot, and I don't particularly care. Being the dumbest person at Chicago might as well be like being the poorest person in the Forbes 500. You know you're plenty smart.</p>
<p>I could see both Chicago and Illinois as places for excellent opportunities in CS, both in terms of undergraduate opportunities and for grad school.</p>
<p>But yes, visit us. I think when you choose Chicago, you're choosing a package deal.</p>
<p>They are both great schools in general. UIUC is really outstanding in computer science. If there is a chance that you would change your mind and major in engineering, go there for sure. Chicago doesn't have engineering. Otherwise, think about the two environments and choose based on that. I would choose Chicago's environment, but everyone is different. The cost difference is negligible.</p>
<p>UIUC has a top 5 CS department. I know a couple of friends who are getting paid over 100k with a degree in CS at UIUC. If the CS is the thing for you, I'd highly suggest UIUC.</p>
<p>Youtube, Oracle, Paypal, and AMD are some of the companies founded by UIUC grads.</p>
<p>First of all if you are afraid of competition, than maybe Computer science is not for you. That is competitive no matter where you go. All things being equal, it isn't about what place is better in this case. It is about what environment you feel comfortable in. UIUC is a party school, but not necessarily on the Engineering end of campus. It is so big, you can have an entirely different experience than say a Sociology major. That is not a knock, it is just like most big campuses. Personally, I would choose Chicago because you would get much smaller class sizes and more one on one time with professors.</p>