Berkeley v Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Wash U for CS

Coloradomama
Mon, 16 Apr 2018 12:52:21 +0000

Berkeley has the most resources and since he got directly admitted, probably the best choice.
Its got a lot to offer, socially, academically and job connections too.

However, if he cannot stand Berkeley, and it takes a lot of responsibility, as Berkeley does
not provide any housing after freshman year, so students need to be mature to go there.

If he needs more hand holding, or immature in any way, or just cannot stand Berkeley when he visits.

I like Wash U St. Louis the best for CS of the private choices. (although none are really that good for CS)
They have focus on cybersecurity if that interests him. Many students from LACs come to Wash U
to complete their 3/2 program in engineering.
https://cse.wustl.edu/Pages/default.aspx

St. Louis is a youthful and fun city, with a lot to do and Wash U has arguably one of the nicer
campuses near a huge city park in St. Louis as big as Central Park in NYC.

Vanderbilt is a very strong all around school with top music, business, arts and sciences.
Engineering is OK there, we spent time looking it over, and talking in person to the engineering
department office. Its more of a premed/prelaw/prebusiness with strong humanities and social sciences.

Georgetown, would only make sense if you can afford the 3/2 program with Columbia U in NYC.
https://college.georgetown.edu/academics/majors-minors-and-certificates/science-engineering

Georgetown is the least technically focused college on his list. U of Maryland is way way better for CS,
he could start at Georgetown and transfer maybe? I love U of Maryland and find it to be easier going
than Berkeley, its the best kept secret for computer science/math/physics degrees on the east coast.