Trying to choose between UCLA CS and UT Austin CS with Turing scholars. Cost is not a major factor. Looking for a comparison on the CS program and internship opportunities. Please share any thoughts
They’re equivalent. As a result, I’d look at cost, even though you say it isn’t a factor, and where you’d ultimately like to live. A CS grad can work anywhere, but the most opportunities will be close to the institution. Congrats!
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For what it is worth, US News has Texas at 10 in CS and UCLA at 13. That is before Turing Scholars is factored in to the equation.
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Turing Scholars offers significant opportunities. I don’t think that can be ignored.
Hookem’
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Let’s say for argument sake though that there is a substantial cost difference, say $100,000. Is Turing worth that? It’s not a rhetorical question. I just don’t know. And, for all I know TX may be cheaper. If it is, it seems like the no brainer.
I’m not a rankings fan, but I don’t think that even the folks who are would argue that there was a difference between 10 and 13, especially considering the ways USNWR can be and has been manipulated.
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I kind of take the poster at their word. Is the student in-state for UT or UCLA? Unknown?
We are OOS for both CA and Texas - can handle the difference in costs that come with varying cost of living factors. Generally, I have noticed positive feedback from UT CS (especially Turing) students but don’t really see much feedback directly from UCLA CS students/parents in forums.
At UCLA in Fall 2021, Com Sci 31 had 2 lectures. One had 310 and other 164 students.
I’m not surprised at large class sizes at UCLA or any school. And, I would not discount a college simply because of large class sizes. Done properly they are, IMO, just fine. UT has problems with undergrads getting into classes in the semesters they want (reported several times on CC), but NOT in the Turing program. Turing is a big topic on UT threads and it’s benefits sound pretty amazing.
A good problem to have?
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Intro to CS at UCB has over 1000 students. They seem to do ok. 
Neither of these schools are going to have small lectures. Turing aside, the overall experience will essentially be equivalent at both schools.
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UT vs UCLA undergrad CS probably equivalent.
Turing scholars is an honors program that, I believe, gives the edge to UT. Browse the program benefits at the link below - the Turing program is both comprehensive and impressive in its support for a very small number of scholars.
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UT Turing program has been great for my son this year. For him, it has been an ideal program so far. It’s not perfect, I doubt any is. I doubt he will have a CS class above 60 students. The marketing info regarding Turing has been accurate so far.
Did you attend goto/Turing?
Texas will have paths to make the costs significantly less than UCLA over the years. We are in state for CA and convinced ourselves UT and a UC would have been the same cost after four years.
I agree there doesn’t seem to be much feedback regarding CS at UCLA.
My son thought Turing is stellar. He is a junior in CS at a different school. He thought he’d prefer Turing over even UCB.
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It’s worth pointing out that every large lecture class at a UC is accompanied by a weekly discussion section that meets with a TA (usually a grad student). These range in size from 30-50 students depending on major and the specific class.
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I’m not so sure of that. UT says
The Turing Scholars degree plan largely mimics our traditional CS degree plan but includes 10 honors courses that challenge our students in different ways.
Students take honors classes covering data structures, discrete mathematics, computer architecture, operating systems, and algorithms, typically in the first two years.
Academics Turing Honors Program | Department of Computer Science
If I am a Turing Scholars student, must I take all of the honors classes?
No. If you are admitted to the Turing Scholars Honors Program as a first year student, you will be expected to take the special sections of the first year classes. After that, you may take whatever courses you choose. However, there is a minimum number of honors classes that you must complete in order to graduate as a Turing Scholar.
Turing Honors Scholars Program FAQ | Department of Computer Science
Someone actually in the program will have better info, but at first glance it sounds like outside of the 10 honors classes with the small sizes the rest of the classes for the CS degree will be the regular UT classes required for the CS major. Those may be similar in size to their counterparts at schools like UCLA. Unfortunately UT has locked down their Schedule of Classes to be only viewable by UT students, unlike schools like UCLA where anyone can peruse it
Those 10 include every required course, including Discrete Mathematics. Not sure about the bulk of the upper division classes, but grad classes are available to students and those are not going to be large.
Here is the degree plan for Turing:
Here is the list of classes
Even with the size of the CS program, not all classes are offered every semester.
Spot checking a few classes, compilers and Neural Networks both had about 50 students. Researching colleges last year, the complaints about large class sizes rarely extended beyond the first two years of courses. After that, the common complaint was only about the challenges in getting into the classes. Will be able to report back on that next year…
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All large universities will follow this. One of the biggest benefits of Turing is you are in that 50 student discussion section with the same 50 highly motivated students for the first two years. When my son was deciding last year, that was the deciding factor. Many of them are all living on the same floor in the UT honors dorms this year.
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You should be able to request a UT EID. Just request a new one and there is an option for:
Are you the parent of a child who wants to apply to be a student (or is already a student) at the University of Texas at Austin?
this will give you access to the class schedule and show the classes offered each semester. Additionally, if you get the UT Registration plus chrome plugin, it provides easy links to reviews and grades for many of the classes.
Early classes will be large at both schools, so any complaints about UT could be equally leveled at UCLA, making the point moot.
Note: should have been directed to @mikemac, but I grabbed your quote.
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Thanks for the feedback. We attended the goto turing event. One of the major factors that was mentioned was the availability of internship opportunities starting Freshman year. What has been your son’s experience on this ?