Where to go for CompSci?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I'm looking for some opinions on my choices here, and I'll keep it brief.</p>

<p>I got into here:
-University of Washington (Seattle) w/ in-state tuition (~$27k net) and direct admission to the CSE Department
-RPI w/ $25k scholarship (~$36k net)
-Cornell w/ nothing but got into College of Engineering (~$60k net?)
-Carnegie Mellon w/ $3.5k scholarship (~$59k net) and admitted to CIT and SCS</p>

<p>Location doesn't really matter much.
Money is a factor (though my EFC was a little over $60k) in the sense that CMU is twice the cost of UW, which is something to consider whether money is a problem or not.
I do want good social opportunities (happy, sociable people; girls that aren't gnar; potential business partners)
Probably my biggest factor is that I want to start a business (ideally straight out of college), so I want the college that would best prepare me for that.</p>

<p>Any opinions? Suggestions?</p>

<p>It's probably coming down to UW vs CMU for me at this point, and I'm leaning to UW because it's literally half the cost of CMU and I don't know if the marginal benefit of CMU is worth paying twice as much as UW.</p>

<p>I've heard CMU will bargain aid, but would they come down at least $20k more to kinda put it in range of UW and RPI? I do have some good alternatives that could help me bargain but then again my EFC is high.</p>

<p>I don't know if I want to do Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or both, so which college would be most flexible for me? I've found it's UW.</p>

<p>Please give me any and all thoughts you have on this issue.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>I’d would say UW is the best choice for you. CMU does boast one of the top com sci programs in the country, but I personally think prestige/reputation isn’t nearly as vital in computer science/engineering as it is in a field like medicine or business. It’s definitely better to save the money and graduate with less stress. As long as you get a solid GPA and establish good connections there you should be set.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your input. Any thoughts on the bargaining? Or would it be a waste of my time given how much I want?</p>

4

<p>Washington is considered a top school for CS. With direct admission to the major as a frosh, you avoid the problem of the major being fiercely competitive to get into for those who enter as undeclared frosh.</p>

<p>With the lowest price of all of your choices, it is hard to turn down Washington.</p>

5

<p>UW with direct admit is very nice. I do not see much of a difference from CMU.</p>