What's a good safety for a student intending to major in Computer Science?

<p>That’s good to know. I’ll start now!</p>

<p>I mostly agree with fogcity and I would try to go for strongest programs, fortunately there are many. But I would put University of Washington into the target university category for top CS employers. However for Truust, that university isn’t a good match because of competitive admissions to the major.</p>

<p>Truust, don’t keep too narrow criteria for your undergrad research, especially at first. If you are building a resume, you want any research you can get, especially at first, as it is just important to be exposed and involved in it. You can get specific later. But hopefully you will get your choices.</p>

<p>Michigan is rolling admission too.</p>

<p>UMich says it offers EA for Engineering, modified rolling for other schools. I assume CS is in the E school, but don’t know for sure. They will notify EA by 12/23 if submitted by 11/1.</p>

<p>@BrownParent, Yeah, i’ll keep an open mind on research and won’t limit myself to just the niche i’m currently interested in.</p>

<p>@nova, yes, CS is in UMich’s CoE so I don’t think there’s any rolling admissions for it. Even if there was, it’ll take time for me to finish the music supplement so I wouldn’t be able to apply earlier than Nov 1st anyhow.</p>

<p>It seems that U of Wisconsin is my best option as a safety/near-safety.</p>

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<p>Logical though this “plan” may seem to you it does not really resonate with the way top-notch CS engineers climb the career ladder. At the higher levels of CS the first (and second job!) matter a great deal. When you land that job, and nurture it and it you, the point of advanced degrees is less than clear. Focused study (possibly company paid) or part-time study is often a better strategy. And more to the point landing a less than very technically challenging position (between undergraduate and graduate school) is likely to be a drain. If you’re not careful in your choice of college and program that may very well happen. If possible, I encourage you to talk through your plan with top CS engineers and listen with care to their assessment.</p>

<p>Yeah I suppose it’s not that well thought out… but i’m fairly confident that pretty much all of the colleges i’m applying to have strong enough programs to land me a good job. Maybe i’m wrong. But I don’t really have anyone in particular who has done CS to ask about this stuff. I’ll try to find someone though.</p>

<p>I would also recommend U of Maryland College Park. Strong Comp Sci program, solid school as a whole. May qualify for some merit aid with your stats.</p>

<p>@Terp, thanks for the comment. I’m just trying to decide between UW-Madison and UMaryland now. Don’t want to apply to both because I don’t want to apply to a lot of schools.</p>