I’m an undergraduate student at the University of Chicago. I studied math and econ there for two years (academically did very well). I decided to take a leave of absence from the school because I was unsure of whether I wanted to continue my studies in math and econ, or change them to something else. During my time off, I’ve started learning some programming and now plan to return to school to study computer science.
Finishing the UChicago CS degree would be do-able but tight to finish in two years. I am now also considering applying to transfer to other schools that are maybe have better CS programs - especially public schools where the tuition may be cheaper (so I could maybe take more time to finish the degree) and where I might have a better chance of being admitted given that I haven’t actually ever formally taken a CS course. Some schools that I’m looking into are UMass Amherst, University of Wisconsin - Madison, University of Washington, UIUC, UT Austin, Georgia Tech, ect.
Even though UChicago’s CS isn’t the greatest and is very theoretical, the department is definitely expanding and UChicago itself is a well-regarded school, so it may be worth staying there - but I wonder if I honestly may learn more somewhere else, especially if I have more time. I’m interested in learning more about machine learning and AI in particular and think after I graduate would want to work for a while and later attend graduate school.
Do you guys have any advice on what I should do - if there are any schools I should look at, if I should return to UChicago and just graduate, my chances of being admitted as a transfer student at these schools? Also I want to ask where do you think I will learn the most and/or have the greatest opportunities after graduating? As a girl who didn’t have much exposure to cs or engineering as a high school student, I didn’t really look for schools with great cs/engineering departments when I first applied for college.
Most undergraduate CS programs are pretty similar, and where you go to school isn’t typically a big deal in CS. Employers aren’t going to make a big distinction between someone who graduates from UChicago and the other schools you have listed.
If you like UChicago and can afford it, I don’t see any reason to leave. But if you do transfer elsewhere to save money, it won’t hurt you.
It’s a perfectly fine department for undergrads. All of the best departments have a strong theoretical component. While it’s not ideal for applications programming, that kind of CS is quite easy anyway. Why would a UChicago student need courses for that. Applications programming prepares you for your first job. Theory prepares you for a 40 year career.
You have serious misconceptions. I think you should take a computer science course to understand what it actually is before you take any leaps.
You will get both theory and practice at any school with a good CS department, including Chicago.
As mentioned in your other thread, there is no apparent reason to transfer for a supposedly better CS department. Are there other reasons why you want to transfer?
If I transfer to another school where the tuition is lower I may be able to take more than 2 years to graduate and thus may be able to learn the material better. I would be able to have in-state tuition for UMass Amherst - three years at UMass would be comparable to the cost of 1 year at UChicago. Would it be better to transfer and take more time to get my undergrad degree in CS to learn more, or go back to UChicago and graduate?
If you can get your CS degree on time at UChicago, then I don’t see why you wouldn’t do that. How many more courses do you need for the degree at UChicago? You should check with the department to see if you can make it work.
In terms of learning more, NEVER stop learning more, LOL!
Mine and my kids experience after visiting UChicago is that it is truly the place “where fun goes to die”. If you can get into UCB, UIUC, Cornell, Upenn or another good school I would go in a heartbeat.
I think you are off track in your thinking, along the lines of the first few responses. I am the mom of a math-CS undergrad at brown who did focus a bit more on theory although it was optional, (who almost went to Chicago, and yes, after a wonderful visit) and a CS grad in machine learning at UWMadison. After being a grad student TA at UW she could really contrast the undergrad experience she had at brown as far superior than UW due to the small classes and close collegial dept, chance to get to know and work and research with profs well thoroughly. At UW she said the dept tries but cannot make the kind of community that fosters success for all and you sink or swim. The vast majority of profs really do not want to work with undergrads.
You should think twice or three times before giving up your Chicago diploma so easily. You have already out in the core! Undergrad is just foundational stuff, you will learn on the job as a new grad. You will know nothing. If you want more practical work, then do it on your own time. I think it is silly already that you have almost no CS yet you are choosing subfields blindly. Take some classes, then get a basic job summer or do projects on your own or with friends. My kid had no prior exposure either. But she could have done more hacking so join groups, it is so easy now. You are seriously underestimating Chicago CS and you are basing the reps of the other schools on the grad programs, which you won’t be in.