UCSD vs. UCSC for Computer Science

<p>I welcome any informed opinions about which school would be the better choice for Computer Science. Please explain why you recommend one school or the other. I know that UCSD has high rankings in engineering and technology. However, I am more interested in knowing about personal experiences in those departments at the two schools. Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>I asked a question about what CS is like in UCSD: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-san-diego/1143158-computer-science.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-san-diego/1143158-computer-science.html&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>I got only one response…but it might be helpful!</p>

<p>Obviously UCSD.</p>

<p>Thanks so far. Has anyone actually taken computer science at UCSC? How are the professors? Are there many internship opportunities? Does being in Silicon Valley make a difference?</p>

<p>My friend is taking comp sci over at UCSC, and says he hates it. If they find out that a code looks even a littlesimilar to another, then they’ll be really uptight about it</p>

<p>Do you think that experience is unique to UCSC or is it typical of computer science classes?</p>

<p>I am a current UCSD student and have quite a few friends who are computer science majors. I will warn you, our CS department is not easy - it is quite competitive, but I would definitely say it might be worth it. My friend’s roommate is a graduating senior who majored in Computer Engineering and he already has a job lined up for him at Yahoo as soon as he graduates. (He is originally from the Bay Area, if that makes a difference). The students at UCSD are all very highly motivated and very very smart. If you are okay with spending most of your time coding and studying for exams, then by all means UCSD might be for you. I know for a fact that Google, Yahoo, and all of the Bay Area based companies STILL recruit and come to UCSD all of the time. In fact, we recently had a Yahoo hack conference where Yahoo picked to come to UCSD for the 3rd year in a row ([University</a> Hackdown at Hack Day! - Yahoo! Developer Network](<a href=“http://developer.yahoo.com/hacku/]University”>http://developer.yahoo.com/hacku/)) and as far as I know UCSC has not been picked (if I’m wrong, I apologize). </p>

<p>So, I really do not think that the fact that UCSC is based in Silicon Valley REALLY makes a huge difference in recruitment. I feel that because UCSD’s program is so highly ranked - companies still recruit from us. Not saying that if you went to UCSC you would not have a good degree - I still feel that it is really cool that UCSC has a video game design major (UCSD only has an emphasis or specialization in that) but UCSD is a school that is known to be a strong leader in terms of engineering, technology, and top-notch academics and professors. </p>

<p>Just a small note, UCSD’s computer science major IS going to be impacted come fall 2011, so just be aware of that. I think that fact also should be taken into consideration because it shows that UCSD’s computer science major is one that people strive to get into. </p>

<p>Good luck in your decision and just be mindful that both schools will be hard - the quarter system is no walk in the park and to top it off computer science is no joke! I know for a fact that in order to graduate on time @ UCSD you will have to be taking 4 classes a quarter (if you are a freshman) for all four years.</p>

<p>UCSD has one of the best CS programs in the country. It rose from 20th in 2002 to 13th in 2012. That’s a huge leap. Like, enormous.</p>

<p>WAIT WHAT THE.
Computer Science will be impacted for fall 2011?!
the website says it wont?
[Impacted</a> Majors](<a href=“http://students.ucsd.edu/academics/advising/majors-minors/impacted-majors.html]Impacted”>Capped Majors)</p>

<p>How sure are you about this and where did you get your information from?
Is it going to be all majors under CSE and ECE?</p>

<p>I’m going to apply for fall 2013 (will fill out application in November 2012). If its not impacted for fall 2011 does anyone know whether or not it will be by the time i apply for the major?</p>

<p>Crap, im worried now.</p>

<p>It’s not impacted. Can’t say whether it will be impacted in the future. As of right now, it’s not.</p>

<p>UCSC computer science ranked #5 whereas UCSD ranked #13</p>

<p>@Apatel96, what’s your source?</p>

<p>Duhh! Berkely>>UCSD>>> all other UCs in CS</p>

<p>@bhav007 I found the source here!
<a href=“Online Computer Science Degrees 2022 | Affordable Colleges Online”>http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/best-colleges-online/computer-colleges-roi/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>@intropella, yeah, I’ve seen that before, the ROI thing, but I think many other websites I’ve been on rank UCSD higher than UCSC though. I also thought that it goes like UCB>UCLA>UCSD> all other UC’s. What exactly is ROI though? Only that site seems to talk about it (the one you linked, intropella).</p>

<p>@bhav007 I’m not entirely sure what ROI means, but I just googled and found this:
“ROI (return on investment) is how much profit or cost saving is realized as a result.”</p>