University of Rochester vs Georgia Tech for Computer Science

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>My son just got accepted EA by Georgia Tech and we're pretty sure that he will be accepted Early notification by Rochester. While I personally would much rather for him to go to GT, my son is more torn between these schools, which are both his top choices as of now (he's applying to CMU and UC Berkeley CS as reaches, but we doubt he'll get in).</p>

<p>Here are the pros of each college</p>

<p>Pros of UR-
Clusters instead of gen-ed requirements. CS and other engineering majors at UR only need a writing class and a cluster of 3 humanities courses, which he can easily fill with history courses he love, whereas at other colleges, students have about 10 gen-ed courses to fulfill. </p>

<p>Because there are only 4 humanities courses instead of around 10 gen-ed courses, my son believes he can complete a double major in CS and Physics. My son loves Physics, has an A in AP Physics C right now as one of the top students in that class, and really wishes to pursue Physics as a second major. How much would this actually help him post-graduation?</p>

<p>So to sum it up, my son loves UR because he can focus on studying his interests, like CS, Physics, and history, and avoid gen-ed classes in subjects he's not interested in.</p>

<p>Pros of GT-
CS is ranked in the top 10 by US news. It is famous for being sought after greatly by employers. In fact, GT CS majors place the highest amongst all GT grads in terms of job placement and starting salaries. I simply believe that this is too good of an opportunity for him to pass up.</p>

<p>In conclusion, my son believes that he'll have a more enjoyable academic experience at UR. However, how much should the difference in rankings really matter when deciding? My son, too, is aware of GT's strong reputation amongst employers, and the job opportunities available from that university, and thus, he is very torn between these two places. Will a CS degree from University of Rochester give very lucrative opportunities as well for my son post graduation, or will he more likely end up unemployed from UR?</p>

2

<p>You did not say where you live (travel expenses for either school), but U of R is cold! And IMHO…I think it makes for a more well rounded person to study a core curriculum of general education classes. Those six extra classes at GT may be the areas where he needs some development and may use the “other side” of his brain, since he is so scientifically focused. If GT has a well known job placement and career opportunities, that would be my choice as there could be more recruiting. I do not know either school personally, but I never think core liberal arts classes at good schools are wasted hours. Just my .02</p>

3

<p>We live in PA, so UR is closer to home than GT. And my son likes the cold more than the heat (we lived in Houston TX when he was in kindergarten and he still hates it)</p>

<p>My son LOVES history, but HATES English. He always say how he writes the best essays in history class because history makes sense to him, and just can’t “get” literature (and compares this to how some of his classmates just can’t “get” AP Physics) and doesn’t do as well in English as a result. It’s not like he loathes all things humanities, but I do agree that being more well rounded can help.</p>

4

<p>University of Rochester is a very well respected school in Upstate NY. I know their health sciences are top notch. I hope he has an opportunity to visit each campus and get a better feel for the students and professors. Hopefully someone will weigh in on the CS program and recruitment at U of R, since you seem to know more about the reputation of GT. Some schools are just more popular on CC than others, so it’s hard to get info. Good luck! Hopefully, someone here will help you.</p>

5

<p>I think this is a very personal thing and depends entirely on the personality and makeup of the student. </p>

<p>Georgia Tech could lead to better opportunities if he survives it. It has a very high attrition rate because they admit a lot of people who can’t do it and thus many attrit and the pressure is huge. It’s a brutal school, with high risk and high reward. Research will be dominated by grad students with undergraduates probably working with a grad student rather than a professor. Salaries in the surveys are dominated by the winners who survive. </p>

<p>University of Rochester is exactly the opposite. It’s a very supportive school and is also ranked pretty high in computer science. There aren’t enough grad students so undergrads get great research opportunities. National recruiting probably isn’t as strong, but many students go on to great grad schools, and people find good jobs anyway. He may have to be a little more proactive.</p>

6

<p>My son just started at UR, majoring in Mech Eng. He loves it there. UR is a good place for blended people meaning for example several of the Engineering students are minoring in German or some other language. Some students do science and music either at UR or they can take classes at Eastman. </p>

<p>Students are able to work both sides of their brain. One of their big draws is the “open” curriculum so you can either do clusters or minor (takes the place of a cluster) in your area of interest. </p>

<p>I don’t know about CS but the school overall is a strong science school so many students are majoring in Chem, Bio, Engineering and they have a Cognitive science major and of course Pre-Med students. </p>

<p>And as ClassicRockerDad said, it is a very supportive school. There is help available if you need it, pre-set up study groups and tutoring.</p>

7

<p>We visited UR over the summer, and he loved the campus. As I said before, the open curriculum is also what greatly attracts him. It’s just that its CS is not greatly well known. When people talk about great CS schools, they talk of UIUC, Georgia Tech (matches for him), or CMU, UC Berkeley or MIT but not really UR. I just want to make sure that while my son enjoys college, he’ll also have access to great opportunities in jobs and salaries after graduation.</p>

8

<p>You keep focusing on the schools. Focus on your son. What kind of student is he?</p>

9

<p>Georgia Tech will definitely carry more weight on the resume but if your son wants to go to Rochester then let him go. Rochester is a good school and he’ll do better at the school where he is happier. It is his choice ultimately and it sounds like UR is the place he’ll want to be so just be happy and smile and how well he has done to have these options. :)</p>

10

<p>To follow on what ClassicRockerDad said, what kind of person is your son? U of R is not a competitive environment, collaboration is very much encouraged and self motivation is what gets students involved in following their interests. Undergrad research is big, they claim to have more research opportunities than students to fill them. </p>

<p>The environment is focused a lot on learning, the love of learning and strongly encourage students to go onto grad school. They are the opposite of a school like RIT which focuses on getting students jobs through their Coop program. </p>

<p>If you are concerned about your son’s career future then contact the CS dept and career services and ask where their students have gone to work and ask if you could contact a few.</p>

11

<p>D is a UR graduate. The best way I can describe UR kids is as “sociable nerds”. It isn’t cutthroat, yet courses are def. rigorous. She had quite a few friends in engineering and describes them as “remarkable socially well-adjusted engineers”. In other words they can talk to you without staring at the ground and actually make eye contact!! Great school. Xerox, Bausch and Lomb in the area (RIP Kodak).</p>

12

<p>Agree with ClassicRockerDad. Everyone knows that GA Tech has a powerful undergraduate engineering program, but not everyone survives the GT weed 'em out approach. On the other hand, URochester produces high caliber graduates who talk abolutely positively about their overall undergraduate experience.</p>