Hey guys, I am really desperate for some help here. So recently I got offers from these three schools above and struggled to decide which school I would like to spend my next four years at. I am really determined to major in cs in the future but things get complicated when some of the schools give me a direct admit to cs and some don’t.The specific major and college I get accepted into are as following:
UWISC: the college of L&S, intended program-- general course(although I originally applied as a cs major)
UCI : undeclared
OSU：the computer science and engineering
I know I am facing some tradeoffs here: choosing UWISC or UCI seems to be more reasonable since they have the top-notch cs program but I’m worried that since they are really well-known for cs, it would be next to impossible for me to switch to the cs major and I have to bent my will and compromise by selecting majors like statistics or math; on the other hand, OSU gives me a direct admit to cs but the overall environment and job prospects in Southern California are just too promising to let go.
Beside, I know that UWISC is facing a really severe budget cut that may have repercussions on its education quality and available resources and its career advising is not as good or as thoughtful as that at UCI or OSU (If I am wrong here, please let me know). All of these factors and uncertainties seem to offset its comparatively high national ranking in terms of cs programs. For UCI, the only concern I have is the necessity to buy a car. Is that true that you can’t do anything fun here near the campus without having a car?
Ps: the weather and tuition would be no problem, and I would appreciate your time and any information.
Hopefully, all you guys can get into your dream schools and enjoy four years of amazing college lives.
“For UCI, the only concern I have is the necessity to buy a car. Is that true that you can’t do anything fun here near the campus without having a car?”
While having a car would make it easier to get to places outside the immediate vicinity of Irvine, there are plenty of options for those who do not have a car. UCI offers a variety of shuttles that will take you to a few hotspots around Irvine (such as Irvine Spectrum). Additionally, there are a few OCTA routes that have stops at UCI, so you have quite a few options there.
“I’m worried that since they are really well-known for cs, it would be next to impossible for me to switch to the cs major”
I’ve said this in a few other threads, but it’s definitely possible. Difficult? Sure, but it is manageable; you will just need to make sure you do very well in the classes that you take. If you choose UCI, take ICS 31 THIS summer! It is very hard to get into the intro to programming series during the regular year (if you are not within the School of ICS).
Hey guys, I am really desperate for some help here. So recently I got offers from these three schools above and struggled to decide which school I would like to spend my next four years at. I am really determined to major in cs in the future but things get complicated when some of the schools give me a direct admit to cs and some don’t.The specific major and college I get accepted into are as following:
UWISC: the college of L&S, intended program-- general course(although I originally applied as a cs major)
UCI : undeclared
OSU：the computer science and engineering
I know I am facing some tradeoffs here: choosing UWISC or UCI seems to be more reasonable since they have the top-notch cs program but I’m worried that since they are really well-known for cs, it would be next to impossible for me to switch to the cs major and I have to bent my will and compromise by selecting majors like statistics or math; on the other hand, OSU gives me a direct admit to cs but the overall environment and job prospects in Southern California are just too promising to let go.
Beside, I know that UWISC is facing a really severe budget cut that may have repercussions on its education quality and available resources and its career advising is not as good or as thoughtful as that at UCI or OSU (If I am wrong here, please let me know). All of these factors and uncertainties seem to offset its comparatively high national ranking in terms of cs programs. For UCI, the only concern I have is the necessity to buy a car. Is that true that you can’t do anything fun here near the campus without having a car?
Ps: the weather and tuition would be no problem, and I would appreciate your time and any information.
Hopefully, all you guys can get into your dream schools and enjoy four years of amazing college lives.
If cost is reasonably close, pick the school you like best. I am a UW alumnus, so I am biased:
I will not say that UW is better than UCI or OSU because I did not attend the latter two (though its academic rep is older and stronger), but I will say that UW is a great school with very strong academics in myriad programs and most students have a great time while attending. UW possesses a very active (and varied) social scene, a great sports scene, excellent academics, tons of majors and classes, and a campus that offers both scenic beauty (lakes, woods) and urban bustle. Badgers love, and remain in love with, UW-Madison.
UW parent here – I’m pretty sure Computer Science major (which is in Letters & Science) requires a C or above in an intro level course; it is not a major which has only a limited number of spots. You can go to the CS department website and confirm. L&S career services has been excellent for my kid, so cannot speak to a perceived weakness there. The legislature’s budget cuts have impacted some specialty programs (someone said that the equestrian program was closed, for instance), but Chancellor Blank and the administration have been quite proactive in managing the funding issues and faculty retention and it has not, in my kid’s experience, impacted his educational experience – either in terms of class or section size, research/scholarship opportunities etc. Advising etc. continues to be excellent, as he has always been able to get in quickly, or to hear back same day, from departmental advisors. In terms of other facilities, the SERF – the student athletic facility (non-varsity) in the southeast neighborhood is being completely renovated/rebuilt, and an entirely new southeast neighborhood dining hall, Gordon’s, was built in the last couple of years.