<p>I have a full ride to some smaller schools, but since I am going into computer science I feel like it would be a better idea to go to a more prestigious schools such as UNC-CH or NC State (#20 and #49 respectively in US News computer science program rankings). The CS programs at the colleges I have full rides to are not very impressive. I plan to pursue a doctorate in computer science regardless of where I get my undergrad degree. Would I be more likely to be accepted into better computer science graduate programs if my undergrad degree is from UNC-CH or NC State, or do graduate programs even take this into consideration? What DO they take into consideration?</p>
<p>I didn’t go to grad school in CS, but I can tell you that it is generally much easier to get accepted to a master’s program if you have a BS from that school. Most often, there is some type of explicit or implicit GPA cut-off for their own graduates. For PhD work, having already worked with a professor in a program you are applying to is invaluable. So it’s easier to get into PhD programs from your own school too (in CS, not in pure sciences.)</p>
<p>I would go to the better program for a bachelor’s degree. I think it’s worth it.</p>
<p>Graduate schools like to see a very strong record of achievement in the area of study. Good grades in difficult courses, including graduate level classes and doing well in them. Undergrad research experience is also valued. So there may be some advantages to going to a major research university where graduate classes re offered. </p>
<p>A strong academic record in a related subject area can also be helpful - for CS, that might be math or physics or computer engineering or human factors (psychology), etc.</p>
<p>I second the advise above about doing an MS at the same place as BS CompSci. I did just that, and landed a coveted research scholarship in my first semester without even trying as I already had an adviser and thesis topic lined up from my undergrad research work. </p>
<p>If the school is good (BS level) then chances are the MS program is good. At the MS program you want to get into research and build up papers and publications. I had more opportunity for this than I ever thought possible, publishing several papers including national conferences… </p>
<p>Both UNC-CH and NC State are excellent schools for CompSci. </p>
<p>I also second the advise about a ‘secondary’ area. Not everyone wants to see yet another PhD thesis on yet another scheduling algorithm for such and such…</p>
<p>What I have been told by my CS teacher (PhD in EE) was that I should go to different schools for each level. So bet a BS in one, then MS in another then finally PhD in somewhere else. Just get exposed to different environments, professors and style of research. I personally think that is a solid advice. Even though he has warned me that at every new school/institution, you start from scratch and really have to prove yourself.</p>
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<p>If you mean the same small schools in the tuition exchange program that you mentioned in earlier threads (e.g. Coker, which has one faculty member in CS, and whose schedule lists only six CS courses for the whole year (five of which combined would be like a three semester introductory sequence at many other schools)), then they really are not suitable for in depth study for CS that will be good preparation for graduate study.</p>
<p>Since you mentioned the tuition exchange program, there are other schools with better CS degree programs in it, but you may have to go out of NC, and many of them do not give tuition exchange scholarships to everyone.</p>
<p>Other potentially low cost options if you find UNC-CH and NCSU too expensive after financial aid that have better CS degree programs include other NC public schools like other UNCs, Appalachian State, or NC A&T. If your grades and test scores are good, Alabama’s Presidential Scholarship and UAB’s Blazer Elite Scholarship can cover full out of state tuition there, leaving relatively low living expenses.</p>
<p>Since the question is worded broadly, I just want to add that there are often a lot of differences across fields when it comes to grad school. Sacchi for example suggests taking graduate course work is important. In the three fields I know very well (none of which are comp sci however), there has never been any sort of expectation or benefit for doing graduate work (and usually students end up repeating those courses anyways). Or at least not at any of the schools I’ve taught at or recruited from. </p>
<p>I think if one is seeking to go on for a PhD and taking up an academic career, davidthefat is right that generally there is a lot of benefit of switching schools (at least beween undergrad and masters/phd, not necessarily all 3…especially as often one can start or combine a masters with a PhD at one school…but usually that is different from one’s undergrad…except at Harvard where they actually seem to prefer 4Hs).</p>
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<p>This is very true if you are seeking an academic career (which is why it’s brought up by professors all the time.) I’m not sure what the OP’s plans are for the future, but it’s probably not nearly as important for the industry.</p>
<p>Generally, in the pure sciences people are urged to get degrees from different universities but not in engineering. Generally, comp sci. is more part of the engineering culture so I would expect no one would care if you stayed at the same place.</p>
<p>You can also try for the [Robertson</a> Scholarship](<a href=“http://www.robertsonscholars.org/]Robertson”>http://www.robertsonscholars.org/) at UNC-CH and/or Duke. It is very competitive, but you get a full ride at UNC-CH or Duke if you get it. Then you can study CS at either school for four years without worrying about running up a lot of tuition bills or student loans.</p>
<p>Also, some PhD programs do not want you to have a masters degree prior to applying to a PhD program at their school and you need to apply with only a BA/BS. You are never in an official masters program, it is just awarded on the way to your PhD.</p>
<p>Regarding my earlier comment about undergrads taking grad level classes, I didn’t mean to imply that it was expected or required, merely that it was helpful if it were available. A professor friend on the admissions committee for his highly ranked graduate program has told me that having some experience with graduate level classes provides evidence of being capable of success at a high level. It’s only anecdotal, but it makes sense to me.</p>
<p>Also, regarding whether to attend different schools for BS, MS or PhD in CS, I think it depends on the highest level the student intends to attain. For a student stopping at an MS, I see no problem with doing this at the same University that the student attended for the BS. Many schools offer accelerated programs, allowing the student to complete the MS more quickly. MS programs are short, so if you can start out already having connections with faculty members, it could really be helpful in finding research opportunities, etc.</p>
<p>However, if you intend to get a PhD, it probably makes sense to attend a different U than where you got your BS. In engineering/CS PhD programs, it is more efficient to get the MS and PhD at the same school. You can apply directly to start a PhD program immediately after your BS, and get an MS along the way, as Haystack says in Post #11.</p>
<p>This is a good read to help you with your question.</p>
<p>[University</a> of Pennsylvania Department of Physics and Astronomy // Choosing and Being Admitted to A Graduate Program in Physics](<a href=“http://www.physics.upenn.edu/ugrad/gradschool.html]University”>http://www.physics.upenn.edu/ugrad/gradschool.html)</p>
<p>Thanks, Originaloog. That is a very helpful starting point for a prospective physics student towards understanding the graduate career path and expectations.</p>
<p>www-2.cs.cmu.edu/%7Eharchol/gradschooltalk.pdf is another good place for information, and include information specific to CS. For example, the subject GRE does not seem as important as it is for math or physics graduate admissions.</p>
<p>But in terms of classes, you want to at the very least, have a good enough background that you can pass your qualifying exams in a the expected amount of time. If you come into graduate school needing to take undergraduate classes because you don’t have a proper background, that’s really going to hurt - you’re going to take longer to graduate and you probably won’t be able to get started with research right away.</p>
<p>Part of the reason for the ‘all-in-one’ is that as a grad student at the MS program you have an opportunity to see what the PhD qualifier exam is early on and see if you can handle it. For CS, for example, when I looked at various places, some were fairly straightforward (I answered most of the U Michigan one quite easily during my lunch hour at work when a coworker who passed it showed it to me). Places like Cornell and Purdue had PhD qualifier exams (from friends who attended) that seemed a bit overboard with theory; and places like Cajun State University where I did my BS and MS were fairly straightforward in their Quals. So assuming one can pass the Quals the rest is the dissertation. </p>
<p>Doing 3 different schools could put a newcomer at a disadvantage trying to figure faculty out and decide on topics and advisors and find funding versus the ‘natives’. An MS first gives one time to figure people out a bit.</p>
<p>Getting a PhD is about politics as much as it is about research and coursework; those with a BS and/or MS already know who the good and bad profs are way ahead of time… If one is skilled in politics then it’s not a problem, but it takes a while to figure things out.</p>