Having spent time on both campuses I personally don’t like the red brick industrial feel of UMD. I felt like it was pretty impersonal too. BUT if you’ve spent time with people in your potential major and feel like it’s a fit then you’ve found those connections I couldn’t see in our visits. The core at UChicago is a big deal and a pretty big time investment so if it’s a big part of your con list I’d listen to that feeling. Theoretical CS isn’t for everyone and since the majority of time will be spent in your major that should be the biggest deciding factor. I see the link of UMD to government CS work as a negative personally but you need to think more about where you want to go career-wise.
@PurpleTitan yeah, I’m interested in both, although in different magnitudes than. I’m interested in theory (specifically algorithms) about 5x more than the “practical” understanding computer architectures and such. However, I haven’t done a whole lot of exploring in either field, but this is my current impression.
@SoofDad Yeah, I’ve heard a whole lot about ACES. Personally, I’m not all that into cybersecurity, so it’s not too much of a pro for me. However, it’s nice to get to know some stuff about that and explore a different part of computer science. I’m not sure what kind of job I’d be able to do at the agencies you listed, but I think a few of them would be more cybersecurity based and I don’t think I want that.
@cchelp2019 why do you think it isn’t homogeneous? Everybody is from Maryland.
@Deaston That’s nice to hear! However, I wouldn’t be going into Med school so I think it’s a little different. Yeah, I’m not sure if the cost differential would be worth it but it’s hard to put value on such things, especially when I haven’t experienced either for more than 3 days.
@acdchai I agree. It feels a little bit impersonal. However, some builds were really nice and the dorm I’d be staying in is awesome. The guys were also pretty cool. The core is good and bad. I want to learn much of the things in it and I think it’s a decent incentive to do so. However, I’d take the same classes at Maryland. It’s more of a pro than a con because it means many of my friends will have taken many of the same classes as me.
@goingnutsmom I think it’s probably the feel, which seems a little bit isolated (which seems to be a result of the weather, student type, etc.) However, I think my view of things were a bit skewed, as first time I visited the feel was incredible. The second time, I stayed in a different dorm and things weren’t as good. I’m also a bit concerned about the computer science department. I think they might teach you a bunch of stuff that’ll be super interesting but not really applicable in the real world. As an example: Haskell is super cool but also not extremely useful. What my main concern seems to be though is that I’ll be super stressed out because the classes will be harder, I’ll have a bunch more prereqs, I’ll have the added stress that comes from spending 35k/yr, and I’ll be frustrated because I’ll feel isolated and be spending an extra 35k/yr when I’d do just as fine at Maryland.
Does anybody know how Maryland stacks up in theory department to UChicago? I think I’m more interested in this side of things tbh.
Look at the demographics. Also I attended Maryland knew people from all
Over. A lot from Maryland–but not all.
Top CS departments will have more than enough to offer undergrads interested in theory, and UMD is strong enough.
TBH, if you’re going to concentrate fully on CS with no interest in finance or consulting (as seems to be the case), the extra stress and cost of the U of C is hard to justify.
Somewhat echoing what others have said, but if you’re listing “homogeneous population” as a con of UMCP, you clearly haven’t done due diligence in your research—for just the example of racial/ethnic diversity, UMCP has a diversity index of .63, compared to Chicago’s .57 (higher is more diverse).
Seriously, if you’re trying to compare two schools in detail, you need to go beyond your general impressions and find actual data.
I think that with UChicago, you’ll have to embrace the whole experience. You’ll need to really reflect on that. Because the Core will take a lot of your time. I heard about the obscure language thing and can ask my husband about that. He definitely thinks that UChicago CS is theory heavy and the dept not as well known as some others. He’s worked in Chicago area with his Master’s in CS before getting his PhD. Interestingly enough, one of my S’s friend’s is a CS genius. He went into a very theory heavy CS dept and had to transfer out. He just wasn’t happy with it. It wasn’t UChicago. My H also observed his school’s undergraduate CS dept phase into a more theory base emphasis and lose students over it. I think you have to be a certain type to really like that maybe?
Anyhow, I think that going to UChicago will mean doing CS but also doing it their particular way. Maybe a more truly liberal arts experience. If you are ready to delve in CS maybe the more pre professional enviornment is better. It’s really about tailoring it to you. There is nothing wrong with either approach.
My S is at CMU (not in CS though) and the environment is much more pre professional. I always thought that he was a UChicago kid but he really wanted something else and never applied. Not that he could have gotten in. With my D I thought that she would fit in well at CMU but she wants a more LAC type of experience. She went to see a presentation by Brown admissions and heard the UChicago’s rep and it just clicked with her. After that wanted to apply.
Don’t be afraid to go with your gut. And if you choose UMD, don’t look back and if you choose UChicago, don’t get buyers remorse because it’s a waste of your energy.
Good luck!!!
I am a CS student at UChicago and have found the program to be fantastic. Also have heard many good things about the CS program at UMD. What sets the UChicago program apart is that you will find very smart peers who are academically around the caliber of MIT/Caltech/Stanford students. PM me for specifics (I ended up picking Chicago over Berkeley for CS).
Not scientific poll but my H thinks UMD CS dept better known than UChicago’s. I do think UChicago is working on the CS image and trying to attract high stats/potential students.
ok let’s say money isn’t a consideration. Do the thoughts change at all?
Unless your family is filthy rich, money is always a consideration.
if your parents can afford U of Chicago, I would go there. I think a degree from there would open many doors I know a young woman who passed up U of Chi, because she didn’t get much money from them. She chose another school that gave her full tuition. She regrets not going to Chicago. I’m not saying you will regret it, but it’s something to think about
@citymama9, which school in what field, though? As many people have noted, in CS, UMD is regarded very well; as well as many elite privates (such as the U of C), and the OP has shown no indication that he’s interested in anything but CS.
@PurpleTitan She majored in one of the social sciences, and the school was a mid-tier, Catholic university. Different situations, I realize.
@PurpleTitan I’ve been told to ignore the finances and just focus in on which one I’d rather go to since it wouldn’t be financially stressful at all on my family if I went to UChicago.
Well, I’m also interested in math. UMaryland also seems to be pretty good at math so it doesn’t really matter too much. From looking at the classes, there seemed to be enough challenge to keep me busy, although it’s not proof based.(which I like about chicago)I’m also unsure about what I want to do with computer science in the future and I’m a little reluctant to close the door to the financial side of computer science/math which UChicago would be better at. I think, for the moment, I’m more interested in studying machine learning and artificial intelligence type things, which they both seem to be pretty good at.
Outside of the CS field, UChicago has more prestige.
Your list of the “cons” for Chicago are almost all accurate and important considerations…
Also, I think Maryland’s campus is really pretty.
This doesn’t seem like a difficult decision at all. I’d go to Maryland with zero regrets.
I can’t but chime in once again. My personal opinion is that if money is not an issue, you go with the best school that you got into as long as you consider it to be a good fit in many areas. A degree from Chicago is something you carry with you for the rest of your life. Most people don’t get that chance. I didn’t. I wouldn’t pass it up. If you thought you would be unhappy there then that’s a different story. Credentials do count a lot, imo.