I got admitted to both UIUC and UCI for CS…and I’m torn between which one to attend.
I am planning on going to graduate school…so whichever one would prepare me more for it
Thanks! 
Anyone? I would like to make a decision by the end of this week…
Surprised no one has responded – usually CS-related queries get a fair number of responses (maybe you should’ve put “CS” in the title :-). Anyone, I’ll try to ask some of the standard questions.
To what major/college were you admitted at UIUC? CS in the College of Engineering? That’s the main CS major, although they have other CS majors not in Engineering. If you’re not in Engineering, and you’d like to be, realize that it’s very hard to transfer in to that college/major. I don’t know if there are similar issues at UCI.
Are you in-state for either? What are your total costs at each school? Is money an issue?
Any ideas what kind of work you want to do or where, or what you want to focus on (if you go on to grad school/research)?
Do you have preferences in terms of things like location, weather, size, sports, etc?
In general, I’d say that UIUC is bigger and stronger – it’s considered in the top 10 CS programs in the country. UCI is good, but not nearly to that level. But either should prepare you well for grad school, so if there are some other considerations that favor UCi, it’d be a fine choice as well.
While UIUC is a better school, it is not $20,000-per-annum better. So if you are in California – unless you just love UIUC and your parents don’t mind paying the extra $$$ – the better choice would be UCI.
Obviously if you were in Illinois, the better choice would be UIUC.
If you live in neither state, consider fit: things like campus type and size, weather (a big deal for this particular matchup), safety, culture, and academics – both inside and outside of CS (not every class you’ll take will be in your major…). And yes, consider the price if one is considerably more expensive than the other.
@csdad2 yeah I got into the CS program in the school of engineering
I am instate (in Cali), UIUC will cost me 51K without any aid/scholarships :(, and UCI 31K, and I may get a scholarship from there. Money isn’t much of an issue, but like any college student, the less the cost the better 
I’m not sure about where I will focus on just yet.
Location wise…I’ve lived in Orange County before, so I’m familiar with the area, but completely unknown to Urbana-Champaign. I’m comfortable with both big and small campuses, as long as there’s something to do when I get bored. (Not a party person :P)
I’ve visited UCI and loved the campus, but I haven’t visited UIUC…
@prezbucky thanks! How would you rate the CS programs at UCI? (that’s the main thing holding me back for UIUC, the strength of the CS program there)
I don’t know enough about it to rate it, but the UCs tend to be pretty solid in CS; maybe UCI follows suit.
@prezbucky hopefully 
Anyone else wanna help me?
Plz…bump
If you were direct admit to CS at UIUC and money isn’t a big issue, go there.
@insanedreamer can you elaborate on why? (I’m making a list)
UIUC has one of the best CS departments in the country and is very hard to get into.
However, in looking at your post again I noticed that you intend to go to grad school. In that case, UCI will prepare you for grad school just fine, and you might be better off saving the $$ to pay for grad school. It all comes down to a question of money, and only you can answer that one.
@insanedreamer thanks!
Bump again…(I’m super desperate :P)
Bump
Chill with the bumps dude. UCI apparently is pretty good at COMPSCI. They’ve even got school specifically for it! Keep researching!!
I’m not making your decision for you, but it seems like UCI, by way of costing a whole lot less, is the better choice based on money.
Now, if you absolutely loved UIUC’s campus, the vibe there, the social scene, the dorms and food and were looking forward to snow, ice and freezing temps four or five months out of the year – then I think you might consider paying the extra cash.
You might get a slightly better CS (and overall) education at the U of Illinois, but when you factor in all the added cost, I personally don’t think it’s worth it. Why go to an OOS public school when you have quality public schools in your own backyard for half the price?
@SoCalifornian sorry about that I was super desperate for answers
“snow, ice and freezing temps four or five months out of the year”?! You haven’t been to Champaign-Urbana lately (or perhaps ever)!