Hey there,
I’ve been accepted to UMass Amherst, Case Western Reserve Univeristy and NJIT for majoring in computer science. I’m actually kind of confused as to which college I must select. My fee at NJIT is very less compared to that of UMass and Case. But I personally feel that it isn’t a great school for CS. I’m mainly looking for opportunities after after completing my 4 year course. Which college do you think I must prefer?
Thanks
Are U Mass and CWRU the same costs for you? U Mass has the higher rank for PhD CS research and programs, Case Western is a private school where you will get to know your professors and its possible to change majors easily at Case Western, given the core requirements and flexible SAGES common core for everyone. They are in very different settings. CWRU is urban in a recovering rust belt city, with good public transportation, and world class music and art museums (Cleveland Orchestra discount tickets available and venue right on the Case campus ) , U Mass, smaller city and safer feel, with cross registration at several liberal arts colleges, and active college scene.
CWRU CS students can get jobs with job fairs on the east and west coast. CWRU also offers a five year masters plan in CS and other engineering subjects, and students often get funded for that fifth year with a Teaching assistantship.
How much more do these two options cost over NJIT? NJIT has the advantage of being close to NYC jobs.
2)Can you/your family afford these costs or would you have to take out loans? If you have to take out more than the direct student loans (e.g., $5500 loan) than seriously consider NJIT. Student loans are not dischargable in bankruptcy.
Where do you want to end up working?
How would it be to travel to these colleges from your home?
5)Look at the First Destination Survey to see where graduates work
https://www.njit.edu/cds/sites/cds/files/cds_annual_report.pdf
https://students.case.edu/career/resources/survey/
Do they have co-op programs if that is of interest to you?
What do you think about the neighborhood where the college is located?
How easy is it to get the classes you want?
Is it a direct entry program?
I know quite a few software engineers who got their degree at U.Mass Amherst. The best of them are superb. I know that it is very good for CS. I do not know as much about the other two schools, but that might simply be a matter of geographic proximity.
Would you need to take on debt for any of these schools? If so, then how much?
Also check out http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/new-jersey-institute-technology/ for more similar questions on NJIT
Are you an international student? I infer that from how your question is phrased. if so, will you/your family be able to afford the higher price tags of UMass Amherst or Case? Getting sponsored for a job in the US right after college for an international student is not a given. Also holds for many summer internships. this is true regardless of the university.
NJIT is a smaller university, perhaps not as highly ranked as UMass (don’t know about Case CS), but provides a solid CS education. Students with good gpa’s from NJIT do get good internships etc. (provided they are eligible to work in the US).