<p>I'm in a dilemma. I want to do computer science as my major, geared specifically toward computer graphics. Easy choice, right? CMU has the best cs in the nation. However, I really liked UPenn because it was beautiful, in the middle of the city, and seemed more intellectual. The academic calibur of the general student population seemed higher. (All right, I'll come out and say it: It's an Ivy.) I'm not 200% sure about the cs bit, so if I go to a school based purely on that factor, what if I change my mind and regret my choice? Student life-wise, CMU seems calmer and more friendly and open, but Penn is more exciting and interesting. What would you do in my situation?</p>
<p>If you would only choose CMU because of a major that you are unsure of, I think Penn would be a safer choice.</p>
<p>Are you in the DMD program at Penn?</p>
<p>I think you personally want to go to Penn, and you should go if that's where you want to be. Yes it is ideal to go to the school with the better program, but it's all about fit, and if you feel you will fit better at Penn then don't think about it to much, and just pick penn, and don't look back.</p>
<p>I agree with whartonalum.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses! And yes, I'm in the DMD program (and glad to find someone who has heard of it!).</p>
<p>And I'm PRETTY sure of my major; at least I have no plans to change it at this point. The thing is, you never know. And for some reason, everyone's been telling me to go to CMU... Maybe they know something I don't?</p>
<p>I'd go to CMU. What can I say, I like the 'burgh.</p>
<p>If you like Penn more, go. You are going for an education, not just for a CS degree. Go to CMU for grad school.</p>
<p>omg...u got into the DMD program, a guarantee to an ivy league dentla school, ru crazy kid</p>
<p>i wouldn't go to CMU over penn if they gave me a full ride....</p>
<p>Go to UPenn - stay as far away from Pittsburgh as possible. I live here and it sucks, I'm waiting to go to college (hopefulle NYU so I can go back to my hometown).</p>
<p>About the grad school thing, if you can keep up a 3.0 at CMU you are eligible for a 5 year masters in CS.</p>
<p>Many CS grads at CMU turn down Ivies in return for great connections with Microsoft/Google/IBM/Amazon/etc with a 72k median avg starting salary excluding bonuses last year. </p>
<p>Either way you can't go wrong in your decision.</p>
<p>DMD as in Digital Media Design haha. Not the dental school.</p>
<p>ahahhaha, sorry for that...</p>
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<p>UPENN. Obviously, even if it's not Wharton. :)</p>
<p>I would go with UPenn as well. To me, it seems like CMU is kinda a nerdy school, and the ratio of girls to guys isn't too great. UPenn seems to have a much better social life, and of course, it's an ivy with more prestige than CMU. Penn will give you more bang for your buck...</p>
<p>Well, seeing as I am a girl... who prefers guys... and who tends to be overlooked by guys 99% of the time... if romance is what I'm looking for, CMU would be my place. lol</p>
<p>If you got into the DMD program at Penn I would go to Penn. If you later decide that engineering isn't for you, you could pursue more traditional graphic design instead. Or you could switch to pretty much anything. </p>
<p>The SEAS male to female ration has to be like 75/25 so that's pretty good in your favor :)</p>
<p>Oh, and I don't know if you've ever been to Pittsburgh, but it is not half as awesome a city as Philly is.</p>
<p>Thanks! :)</p>
<p>I've heard great things about CMU, especially the engineering program, it sounds like a lot of work, but a lot of fun too</p>