UBC is better ranked but I got direct CS at UMD whereas UBC is first-year general science and you can apply for your major only in the second year. I didn’t get into the honours or scholars program at UMD but I got into the FIRE program which is first-year research whereas at UBC I won’t be able to do anything until my second year. I feel like Canada will be better for me in the long run but want to do grad school in the states. So pretty confused right now.Would love a third persons view point
Are you Canadian, American, overseas?
Indian Student
I think you would find UBC’s setting far nicer than UMCP’s, if that is worth anything to you.
UBC/Vancouver may be one of the most beautiful places in North America.
UMCP can’t compete with that setting (although the Baltimore-Washington corridor is a rather strong center of high tech commerce and RDTE).
Their T.H.E. rankings in CS are almost equal, for whatever that is worth (which may not be much especially for undergrads). UBC = 28; UMCP = 32.
You may want to check how hard it may be to get into CS at UBC. It can be extremely hard at some schools: e.g. UW Seattle have had cutoffs like 3.7 in the past.
It is easier to get permanent resident status in Canada than in the US.
I’d take direct admission over the uncertainty of a general first year - unless you’re not 100% CS is what you want to do. In addition, CS at UMD is top-notch, is very well funded, and even has its own college.
Downside is that Canadian residency is easy to get as a college graduate whereas in the US it is literally a lottery.
Consider the University of Maryland for undergraduate study since you are a direct admit to the CS program, and earn a graduate degree in Canada for the residency benefits.
CS at UBC requires 82% (they don’t have a GPA system). Also, what would you do even if CS was guaranteed at UBC ? would one still choose Maryland ?