Could anyone give me a good comparison of these schools with CS? I plan to pursue computer engineering, but at an engineering grad school. For now I want to see which of these schools is the best choice.
I was accepted into Davidson too, but I’m not really interested.
However, any details would be appreciated.
What about the cost? Are they close to being the same?
For me, yes. I had received enough aid to where each semester will only cost about 4,000 at all of them.
First of all UChicago is quarter system, if its cost and pace matter to you. At undergrad level there is not much difference in CS program for it to be the reason in your decision. Sticker price wise, UChicago sounds like the best value. But it will be the hardest in achieving good grades among the three. Mediocre grades can discourage you from pursuing in CS/engineering and grad school. Other factors like fit you are only one who can really evaluate. But if you are not sure I would say pick UChicago for its value and challenge.
Either you fit in at Macalester or you don’t.
Either UChicago is a match or it isn’t.
Wake Forest University is quite different than both UChicago & Macalester College.
Interesting, but a bit odd group to be perplexed about.
P.S. In addition to the distinct campus cultures, the locations are different.
Yes they are all very different, I’m guess I’m still trying to decide what I’m really looking for. However, any significant differences in the CS departments at these schools would help me make a choice.
I’m no expert in CS and I’m tagging several other members who seem to have better ideas about these things so that they can weigh in.
Generally, my impression is that Chicago is the most rigorous especially in terms of mathy subjects, as CS is. It would be the most prestigious too. Whether you want to attend is another matter entirely.
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It’s no surprise that UC ranks much more highly than the other two for CS, but it’s going to be a tough place for you to do well, unless you crave that environment. Chicago is quite intellectual and is known for the slogan “where fun goes to die.” Apparently they are working to change that.
Wake Forest is a beautiful and more traditional college campus with the sports and Greek Life that goes along with that. It will be the most isolated of the three, on the outskirts of Winston-Salem . Macalester is a small LAC in a lovely area of St. Paul, and is known for being globally aware with an urban flair. Both are far below for CS, at least in rankings. But both are excellent colleges with very high standards. I can’t imagine they will offer a substandard education in anything.
Really, these three are about as different as they could be. I suggest you eliminate the one you are least interested in. Of the remaining two, where will you be happy?
Agree with much of the environment/vibe feedback above.
On the academic side…Have you looked at how many CS profs there are at each school? Their backgrounds and research focus? What is the CS prof to CS student ratio (you should be able to see number of annual CS grads in the common data set or IPEDs)?
What are the required classes for a CS major? The electives? Which of the CS class offerings appeal most to you?
Also look at gen ed requirements. Does UChicago’s core appeal?
Hi, congrats on great choices. I have one son studying CS and applied math at UMD and another studying econ and philosophy at UChicago. So I can kind of speak to CS and UChicago, albeit not CS at UChicago.
My oldest son will graduate from UMD this May. He is getting a job in CE at a pretty reputable defense contractor. He is graduating with a BS in CS and a BS in Applied Math (not a double major). He worked very hard and is currently doing some pretty cool research. He is thinking working for a few years and then decide if he wants to go into research and get a PhD. My middle son is a 2nd year and is pulling down a 3.9 while running track and cross country and working 10 hours a week, plus he is leading a fairly large and time intensive debate club. He would definitely say he is having a blast. Working hard, sure, but if you are smart enough to get in and can make doing well a priority, don’t let “it might be hard” scare you away. I think looking for the easy path probably won’t do you well in the long run. I really dislike that argument. IF other’s can be successful, why can’t you?
Don’t know anything about Macalester. UC is obviously a great school with a great STEM reputation. S attends Wake. Not a CS major but has several friends who are. They are all set up with solid offers at very strong companies. The program at Wake is small. They typically have about 20 kids in the major (although plenty minor in CS). Take a look at the First Destination Report. You can see where each CS major landed going back several yrs.
Go to the Wake Forest general website. Look under Office of Professional and Career Development. Go to the “Explore” tab. Go to “Where Deacs Go” and you’ll see where yo can search for outcomes within each major.
Again, it’s a small class, but there’s a good sampling of tech jobs, tech companies, consultancies, grad schools.
Lots of good points here. I will take a closer look at the class offerings at each and make some comparisons.
They all just seem pretty great to me. I didn’t see myself feeling out of place at any of them, so I’m looking to academics.
Hey OP, what school did you eventually choose?
Frankly, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just got to a school for undergrad CompEng, if that is your ultimate goal. My understanding is that ENG is one specialty where a post grad degree is necessary in order to do well in the job market.