UW, UCLA, or UCSD?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi Everyone,

I was accepted into the computer science and engineering programs for UW Seattle, UCLA, and UCSD. Also, for UW I was accepted into CSE through Direct Admissions.

I wish to pursue a career in computer science, specifically research and development in computer graphics.

I was wondering which school I should pursue? I am currently a California citizen, but I can travel if I have to. Weather is also not a major factor in the decision. I also don’t mind working hard, as I spend most of my free-time working on computer science projects.

Thank you in advance for any information.

2

If you are a California resident, UCLA and UCSD are significantly less expensive than Washington, right?

https://admit.washington.edu/Paying/Cost#freshmen-transfer
https://www.admission.ucla.edu/prospect/budget.htm
https://students.ucsd.edu/finances/financial-aid/budgeting/undergrad-2015-16.html

$49,338 Washington (out-of-state)
$34,062 UCLA (in-state, dorm)
$31,365 UCSD (in-state, dorm)
$30,360 UCLA (in-state, off-campus)
$30,135 UCSD (in-state, off-campus)
$25,323 UCLA (in-state, with parents)
$25,200 UCSD (in-state, with parents)

You are also more likely to have gotten financial aid from in-state UCLA and UCSD than out-of-state Washington. If your actual situation is different, please state so.

Assuming direct admission to your desired CS/CSE major at all of the schools, it is hard to see the price premium of Washington being worth it over UCLA or UCSD, unless you parents have so much money that the difference is like pocket chance to them.

For graphics and animation, there are plenty of courses available:

UCSD: CSE 167, 168, 169, 272, 274. http://www.cse.ucsd.edu/CourseOfferings
UCLA: CS 174A, 174B, C174C/C274C, 275. http://catalog.registrar.ucla.edu/uclacatalog2015-16-189.htm
Washington: CSE 457, 458, 459, 460, 464, 557, 558. https://www.cs.washington.edu/education/courses

However, you still want to get a solid base of courses like algorithms / complexity, operating systems, networks, databases, software engineering, and security / cryptography.

3

this ^

UCLA and USCD have excellent CompSci programs

4

Thank you for your replies,

I was just wondering if UW’s DA program was worth the extra premium. I was leaning to the UC systems for their lower price and convenient location.

Also, which school would you recommend (UCLA or UCSD) for someone looking to get into the computer graphics field? I am aware that I need a good foundation, but which schools has the best ties to the computer graphics industry?

5

OOS direct admit to UW CS is very rare. Congratulations!

Did you receive any merit award to UW that would reduce the difference in tuition?

Here is some information about UW that might be of interest to you:

http://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-to-be-a-computer-science-major-at-the-University-of-Washington

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/technology/u-of-washington-a-northwest-pipeline-to-silicon-valley.html?referrer=

(One of the graduate students mentioned in the New York Times article, Franzi Roesner, is now a member of the faculty. http://www.franziroesner.com.)

http://qz.com/343521/18-universities-produce-half-of-us-and-canadas-computer-science-professors/

http://www.computersciencedegreehub.com/50-innovative-computer-science-departments/

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-computer

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings?int=abc409

In the field if computer graphics, you might enjoy the work of Prof. Steven Seitz:

http://homes.cs.washington.edu/~seitz/

Again, congratulations and good luck!