<p>I have already posted this in another forum, but I'd like to get the most responses as possible. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is ranked number 4 nationally for computer science, while CMU is ranked at the top. However, I have received 41 out of the 47k tuition and boarding for UIUC, while CMU I most likely will not receive any aid or scholarship.</p>
<p>Which school should I go to? Is CMU worth it, despite the money issues?</p>
<p>Not sure if CMU regards UIUC as a peer institution, however, attempting to negotiate with CMU is still worth a shot.</p>
<p>CMU doesn’t consider state schools as peer institutions- that said, it’s worth a shot. As per the instructions on the FB admissions page, call CMU and they will send you the forms to request a financial aid reeval.</p>
<p>Is the UIUC offer for four years- ?? Is it a merit offer or a financial offer? It will change. You should ask on the UIUC threads what are the subsequent year packages going to look like? At CMU - they change-- sometimes dramatically one way or the other. CMU makes no promises to meet unmet need - -does UIUC?</p>
<p>To me, this seems like a no-brainer, UIUC is an OUTSTANDING institution, especially for STEM fields, CS included. There is little difference between # 1 and # 4 as far as resume punch, recruiting opportunities, research opportunities etc. UIUC has thrown tons of money into their science and engineering campus facilities - D visited, but realized as an out-of-state resident, there was no hope for any kind of aid, so didn’t bother applying. This is in contrast to Michigan and Penn which are also strong and do give $$ to outof state residents.</p>
<p>If money isn’t a concern to your family- then you really have to ask yourself whether you prefer a medium-sized school in a NE city or a large state school in the middle of a small town in the Midwest. One is a division 1 sport school which is as far away from the CMU quirky techie-artsy types you’ll meet at CMU. The education is great in both places-- where do you feel you would enjoy your next four years more?</p>
<p>If money matters or even if it doesn’t, if UIUC puts that kind of money in front of you- this is an easy choice- -UIUC hands down.
(OMG, did I just pick another school over Carnegie - yikes, don’t tell anyone I said that).</p>
<p>Now if we were talking about schools just a few rungs lower in the rankings, I wouldn’t have the same advice. Money when you compare apples to oranges is less clear. But here - I think it’s apples to apples… # 4 vs. # 1 (where 3 schools are tied for # 1) is basically the same deal educationally-- IMHO. I’m sure others will disagree.</p>
<p>Wow- -what a nice choice to have-- Congrats!</p>
<p>This should be an easy decision for you. UIUC.</p>
<p>Agreed. UIUC. </p>
<p>The parties and girls are probably way better too.</p>
<p>Both schools are ranked highly by job recruiters.</p>
<p>Overall Recruiter Ranking:<br>
UIUC #3
CMU #10</p>
<p>Computer Science Recruiter Ranking:<br>
CMU #1
UIUC #9 </p>
<p>[The</a> Top 25 Recruiter Picks](<a href=“Best Colleges & Universities - Ranked by Job Recruiters - WSJ”>Best Colleges & Universities - Ranked by Job Recruiters - WSJ) </p>
<p>If money is a major concern, then definitely go to UIUC. However, opportunities are phenomenal at CMU. Son is a happy CMU CS major.</p>
<p>Is your EFC really that high that you won’t receive any aid to CMU?</p>
<p>The deal at UIUC is too wonderful to pass up.</p>
<p>UIUC. The differences (at that level) between their CS programs is slight, and graduating with next to no debt or financial strain on your parents/guardians/you is an incredible gift.</p>
<p>Debt, even for a CS major, is going to limit your options. You’ll have to make many decisions in your early twenties based off that debt (taking a less-interesting but better-paid job? cut back on vacations and other leisure time? &c, &c).</p>
<p>We are able to afford CMU, so most likely they will not provide any sort of financial aid. I appreciate all the responses. I realize, Illinois is a great school and has offered a large sum of money, but one thing that turns me off is its size and location. It’s a huge state school, and I am not a fan of extremely populated colleges. I have visited a similarly large school (PennState) and was not a fan at all. Also, something else to mention, I plan to minor in art, and I know CMU has a great art program as well. I am not sure if the same goes for UIUC.</p>
<p>Then is there any issues if the $200,000 was spent on savings or other stuff current or future?</p>
<p>Never mind. I read your other posts.
<p>The question is whether UI’s scholarships are without conditions.</p>
<p>UIUC’s scholarships have these conditions:
These items are renewable for up to eight total semesters, provided that you remain enrolled in the College of Engineering, participate in Engineering Visionary Scholars program activities, and maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average.</p>
<p>The quality of UIUC is superb, in many technical and scientific areas and not just computer science. CMU is excellent, but its only substantial distinction from Univ.Illinois-Urbana is the distinction between the experience of a private university versus a state one. Is that worth near $200,000 over four years to you? If so, comrade, then please do embrace CMU.</p>