Finally got accepted at UT Dallas and got the AES achievement award. Though I applied too late but I got one. I was lucky tho.
I wanted to know how reputed is UT Dallas for software engineering? And how strong the faculties are? Anyone senior studying right there? And about living options. Is it compulsory to stay on campus first year or you can stay off campus too?
Congratulations peacenepal on the admittance and scholarship! I can’t speak directly to the strength of software engineering but I would think it would quite reputable. Many programs don’t include that major, it is a subset of CS. So for UTD to offer a separate degree indicates a strength. I have been impressed with the facilities on my previous tours especially in comparison to some that I have seen. You do not have to live in the dorm even though I think it is recommended.
Also, if you want a student’s opinion, maybe post on the reddit board. It seems more active than CC with the students.
@GTAustin Thank you for your reply. I am a bit confused about majoring in CS or software engineering. Aren’t they kinda similar? As like at the end of 4 years both of the majors makes a person software engineer, no?
@peacenepal - We are going to UTD this weekend on CS open house day. They are going to have a discussion about the difference of the 2 degrees - one being BS Computer Science and the second BS Software Engineering. I will write you back after Saturday and let you know how they define the degrees and the differences.
That would be helpful @GTAustin… 
Generally:
Software engineering - making/maintaining software and related tasks
Computer science - includes software engineering, plus everything else associated with computer science (robotics, computer vision, digital forensics, data security, data mining, computer graphics, artificial intelligence, modeling, game design, animation, biotechnology, digital systems design, computer networks, embedded systems, computer imaging, artificial intelligence and cognitive modeling, human-computer interaction, etc)
@GTAustin if you can ask the CS dept about employment statistics, that would be helpful to a lot of kids/parents. Mine is in business so it doesn’t matter. This year 466 students matriculated in CS/SE. I’m sure those who are interested in CS/SE would want to know if there are enough jobs available to all those students.
@getoveritnow, right now, I may or may not be going but my DH definitely is and I will make sure he asks the question. I do know here in Austin, they quote there is 4500 job openings every year for CS and the local universities (Texas based) are only producing 1500 a year and that is Austin only. I do know many companies, especially the small ones, prefer 3 to 5 years of experience or a Masters. I do think it is important to do internships to get that practical experience and get your foot in a door.
If you look at the required courses for the 2 majors, there are about 5 courses that are different.
Description of each from the UTDallas website:
“The computer science and software engineering programs have the same basis in core computer science, including modern programming methodologies, the analysis of algorithms and data structures, and the study of operating systems. The computer science program continues with courses in advanced data structures, programming languages, and automata theory, whereas the software engineering program includes courses in requirements engineering, software validation and testing, and software architecture, culminating in a challenging project course in which students must demonstrate the use of software engineering techniques. Both programs offer a rich choice of application areas, including digital systems design, computer networks, embedded systems, computer imaging,data science, interactive graphic, artificial intelligence and cognitive modeling, and human-computer interaction.”
When we lived in Dallas, my husband hired students with both computer science and software engineering degrees. He thought the program was high quality. He had a lot of interns from UTD and the company he worked for hired a lot of the interns.
My daughter is graduating in May, so I haven’t taken a look at the current requirements, but three years ago any freshman who wasn’t living at home had to be on campus.
My daughter loves the dorms and has stayed in the dorms the entire time she has been on campus. My oldest lived on campus too, but was only in the dorm as a freshman and lived in one of the on-campus apartments after that.
The dorms are very nice. The oldest dorm is only 6-8 years old.
Thanks everyone.It was very helpful. And guys if I wish to change major from software engineering to CS, can I do so and still have my AES award?
I think you could definitely switch your major to CS and yes, you will keep your AES award. I believe that scholarship is good for any major as long as you keep your GPA over 3.0 and take 15 credit hours per semester.
@getoveritnow , unfortunately, I did not make the program yesterday but my DD and DH did. They were very impressed and it just affirmed my DD decision to go there. They did speak to employment opportunities and said all graduating students who actually look for a job, have a job before graduation. They quoted a linkedin survey:
http://cs.utdallas.edu/utdlinkedinrankings/
They addressed this because next years class of freshman will be the largest ever. My DH thinks he heard 700 students. I do believe that will make them the largest CS program in Texas. They did speak about how they were going to address the growth - not thru larger classes but more classes. It sounded like they had a plan for it.
There was many aspects of the program that impress my DH because they actually seemed to care that the students succeeded vs a swim or sink scenario. They mentioned a lot of ways to get help and actually a process to raise a test score by a grade if the student takes the time. Again, I think our DD made a good choice.
@GTAustin. Thanks for sharing your DH’s impression UTD CS. Glad that your DD made right choice. I am sharing this info to my DS17.
Some good news: http://cs.utdallas.edu/internships2016/
“Availability of a large number of internships is one of the many reasons why CS/SE MS students are attracted to the UT Dallas Computer Science Department. The UT Dallas CS Department assists a large number of undergraduate and graduate students in obtaining internships. During the 2014-2015 year academic year, approximately 803 computer science and software engineering students had a total of 1,085 internship assignments. Some of the most popular companies at which students take up internships include, Amazon, Avaya, BNSF Railways, Cisco Systems, Copart Inc., Ericsson, Facebook, Google, HP, IBM, Information Processing Corporation, Intel, InterDigital Communications Inc., MathWorks, Microsoft, Research In Motion, Sabre, VMWare, and Yahoo.”
We also attended the CS/SE seminar this weekend and were incredibly impressed. The faculty and students who spearheaded the presentation were very thorough about the programs and seemed to really care about fostering growth and success for the students. Echoing what another parent mentioned above, the faculty is there to partner and help your child succeed. They stressed that this is not a weed-out program, but students who put in the effort will have the constant support of faculty members around the clock to help them understand challenging material and help overcome academic obstacles. It was a very nurturing and stimulating environment that solidified my son’s decision to attend this university. He felt motivated and excited about his next chapter, and the staff was non-intimating and welcoming.
@Lola6828, thanks for confirming what my DH said. He was able to attend and what you wrote above was exactly the same impression that he got. Our DD is also excited about next year - she is already decking out her dorm room!