What exactly makes one program better than another? Umich and UIUC Comp Sci

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Still trying to decide between these two universities. For now, assume they are the same price. I've reviewed the courses required for a comp sci degree, and they seem nearly identical. How exactly would you differentiate the programs? Thoughts (in no particular order):
Curriculum
Undergraduate research opportunities
Quality of fellow students
Professors
Job/Grad School placement
class size
International programs/study abroad</p>

<p>Basically, I am trying to figure out what attributes define quality (rather than "fit" or price). Any feedback on how these two universities differ</p>

2

<p>Curriculum - you mentioned that they were practically the same. I don’t know which is more rigorous, but I don’t think it would be that different (It seems that engineering is tough pretty much regardless of where you go). I think for Computer Science UIUC is one of the top schools (or maybe that’s computer engineering, not sure). UMich shouldn’t be that far behind, though. </p>

<p>Undergraduate research opportunities - there should be plenty at both schools. I think UIUC will be more on the cutting edge of research. </p>

<p>Quality of fellow students - engineering students will be similar at both schools, but I think for overall academics UMich has the advantage. </p>

<p>Professors - IDK</p>

<p>Job/Grad School placement - should be similar. Michigan engineers may have more access to business jobs if they take some classes at Ross. UIUC engineers will probably have a few more companies visiting. I know at UIUC a lot of companies are midwestern. Not sure about this at UMich. Both schools should give you a great opportunity to get into top grad schools. </p>

<p>class size - IDK, but both will probably have large introductory courses with smaller courses as you advance. </p>

<p>International programs/study abroad - I know UIUC emphasizes this, not sure about UMich</p>

<p>These schools are fairly similar in terms of the above categories. To me, the glaring differences are in cutting edge research (advantage UIUC) and aggregate student body profile (advantage UMich). Other than that, my preference between the schools came down to fit.</p>

3

<p>UIUC is indeed a top school in CS. The current CSA of Microsoft is UIUC alum.</p>

4

<p>Really, you are not going to go wrong with either of these schools. They both have top-notch CS programs.</p>

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<p>This.</p>