Undergraduate College for Computer Science & Philosophy Double Major

College Search & Selection
1

<p>'m looking to get a Bachelors degree in computer science and philosophy. Afterwards, I'd be interested in pursuing philosophy to the doctorate level, and teaching at a university and/or writing. I would program as a hobby as I currently do now, try to work in a professional open-source project or get a job as a programmer before/during/after furthering my philosophical education.</p>

<p>For a while, I was interested in attending a liberal arts college, Amherst and Grinnell being examples. However, some of liberal arts college's don't offer a computer science degree, and I would not think a (engineering?) degree like that would be "outstanding" or a focus at the college. I've then become curious of possibly college's similar to Harvard, MIT, and the University of California system (Ivy, Private, Public Ivy), it would seem I could receive an above-average education in both fields.</p>

<p>I currently live in Texas, and my class rank so far has been in the 11th percent. I am taking as much AP and GT (Gifted & Talented) classes as I can, and I am in Philosophy Club, Computer Science UIL Team, and Cross Country team. I am a non-religious hippy liberal, and would prefer to leave Texas, preferably to the north-west, north, or north-east, and not Oklahoma, Louisiana, and other states nearby to Texas.</p>

<p>When my sister went through college starting 4 years ago, she just graduated, we had filed for financial aid, I believe from the government, but were rejected because we made so much money, which must've been at the minimum as we struggled financially to get my sister through college. Dad works full time out of state, mom worked as much as she could at a part time job, and sister worked anytime she wasn't in school or studying. It was a godsend when we found out my brother would be joining the Marine Corps.</p>

<p>Speaking of which, I would prefer not to do ROTC, as I'm against joining straight as an officer.</p>

<p>Anyways, to sum it up, I was wondering what might be some good schools to late at. Specifics, or just general types of college's would be nice.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Stanford is excellent in both, if you can get in. I think that really would be the way to go. It fits all of your criteria (liberal, north west, similar to Harvard - but actually better for computers!). </p>

<p>UChicago is supposed to be exceptionally good for philosophy too, with a solid computer science program. It would be a match. You could also try Johns Hopkins in the match category. The philosophy program there is supposed to be really good, with strong sciences as well, which I'm sure includes computers. And they're dying to have more non pre-meds, so that definitely works in your favor. ;)</p>

<p>If money is a concern, the smaller privates tend to be more generous (state schools may seem cheap, but they rarely show love to OOS kids). So for safeties, try private Jesuit schools - they're usually excellent for philosophy. I know you're not big on religion, but the Jesuit church is uber-liberal, so they won't force anything on you. Fordham, Santa Clara, etc. could be good. Other non-Jesuit options would be Clark, University of Puget Sound, St. Lawrence, Lewis & Clark, etc. They're all strong schools, with programs in both fields. </p>

<p>Also, a disclaimer: The way I categorized schools may be off. It's hard to tell without solid stats. But if you're considering the UCs and whatnot, I'm assuming you're a strong student.</p>

3

<p>I believe that it would be very difficult to double major (if not impossible) at most of the universities mentioned above. Harvard and UChicago, you can forget about them. You will be told that is possible......in theory only.</p>

<p>Liberal Arts colleges will be the exception or a school like Brown which is actually very good in both disciplines you are interested in. The open curriculum will facilitate your wish.</p>

4

<p>Your stats will make a difference in the answer to this question. Swarthmore, Dartmouth, Cornell, perhaps, if you have really good stats. Santa Clara would be a good choice for a sub ivy level school. Good access to CS jobs, decent CS department, good philosophy department.</p>

5

<p>I think Beloit College might be a great school for you, in the way of your interests in teaching and research, in the way of your academic interests (it offers majors and minors in both cs and philosophy, so you're flexible), and in your described hippyness. Beloit is probably the complete opposite of Texas, and the school is profiled in detail in "Colleges That Change Lives," by Loren Pope. It also sounds like you'd be a strong candidate for merit aid.</p>

<p>I don't understand MovieBuff's comment on Chicago's and Harvard's computer science programs... Chicago emphasizes a liberal education and sends many graduates on to earn PhDs and into academia, but some of the school's most famous fields are "real world" fields... economics? Physics? Granted, we don't have an engineering program, but our computer science program is quite strong. </p>

<p>As for Harvard's computer science program, one of my best friends wandered into it almost by accident-- he felt he wasn't getting enough TLC from being a pre-med and is extremely, extremely happy with the department.</p>