<p>I am planning on getting my undergrad in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. I know that the best choices would be Michigan Ann-Arbor or Michigan State. However, they are pricey and I may want to pursue medical school after undergrad, and I know that getting a good GPA is important. So between U of M Dearborn and Wayne State, both of which offer full-tuition scholarships, which one would be the better engineering school. How competitive would Lawrence Tech or Oakland be with these programs in comparative difficulty and reputation? (I realize that none of them will be “easy,” but I heard getting above a 3.5 at Ann Arbor is almost impossible)</p>
<p>[Accredited</a> Program Search](<a href=“http://main.abet.org/aps/Accreditedprogramsearch.aspx]Accredited”>http://main.abet.org/aps/Accreditedprogramsearch.aspx) can help you find ABET accredited computer engineering and computer science degree programs. While ABET accreditation is not considered essential for these majors (some very good degree programs are not ABET accredited), it does indicate meeting a reasonable baseline level of quality (so it excludes very bad degree programs in these subjects).</p>
<p>[National</a> Trends in Grade Inflation, American Colleges and Universities](<a href=“http://www.gradeinflation.com%5DNational”>http://www.gradeinflation.com) can give some idea of grading at various universities (see list of universities at the bottom).</p>
<p>What are your stats? GPA? SAT/ACT score? What is your M+CR SAT?</p>
<p>If you can get a large scholarship OOS would that be ok??? Or must it be a Mich school?</p>
<p>For whatever that is worth, Dearborn seemed to be higher ranked overall and for engineering according to US News.</p>
<p>My GPA weighted is 4.175, unweighted 3.95. My ACT composite is a 33. </p>
<p>I want to stay in Michigan, so that I can either transfer to U of M Ann-Arbor for the last two years and get my MS from there, or I may take pre-med courses and try to enter medical school.</p>
<p>From the ABET accreditation listings, the following schools in Michigan have ABET accreditation in both computer science and computer engineering:</p>
<p>Grand Valley State University
Kettering University (private)
Michigan State University
Oakland University
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Western Michigan University</p>
<p>For computer engineering only:</p>
<p>Lake Superior State University
Lawrence Technological University (private)
Michigan Technological University</p>
<p>For computer science only:</p>
<p>Calvin College (private)</p>
<p>Would you say UM Dearborn or Wayne State?</p>
<p>University of Michigan - Dearborn has ABET accreditation in both of your majors, while Wayne State has it for neither. So University of Michigan - Dearborn is a safer choice for your majors.</p>
<p>Here are the computer science course listings, if you want to compare them:</p>
<p>[University</a> of Michigan - Dearborn: College of Engineering & Computer Science](<a href=“http://www.engin.umd.umich.edu/CIS/udergrad_prog/descrip.php]University”>http://www.engin.umd.umich.edu/CIS/udergrad_prog/descrip.php)
[Computer</a> Science Courses (CSC)](<a href=“http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/ubk-output/lib_ucl.08.54.html#45204]Computer”>http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/ubk-output/lib_ucl.08.54.html#45204)</p>
<p>Do you know any differences in reputation or difficulty between the two?</p>
<p>You should ask students or employers in your area about your question.</p>
<p>Published information at [University</a> of Michigan - Dearborn Overview - CollegeData College Profile](<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=818]University”>http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=818) and [Wayne</a> State University Overview - CollegeData College Profile](<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1719]Wayne”>http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1719) indicates that Dearborn is somewhat more selective (higher GPA and ACT ranges), and has a higher 6-year graduation rate (49% versus 26%, presumably reflective of admissions selectivity; however, if you are a good enough student to get a huge merit scholarship at either school, you are much more likely than the average student to graduate, and in 4 years). Wayne is about three times as large.</p>
There is a tendency on these boards to denigrate Wayne State. It is true that WSU has had its share of troubles over the past few years, but WSU Computer Science is rated by US New and World as third best in Michigan, behind UM and MSU. Also, recognize that Wayne’s departments are in a free fall and that many of their programs were quite a bit better regarded back in the 1980’s and earlier.
All of which does not matter . . . Right now, all things considered, if you want computer science go to UM Ann Arbor or MSU or Kettering. But remember, school is what you make of it. Not every graduate of UM is better than every graduate of WSU. The school may be better, but the school does not make the person. You need to ask questions about your ability to handle academic pressure at UM – most students there are content to make C’s and a few B’s. Understand what is meant by competitive – it means that you literally must compete with other students. Computer work is about cooperation and teamwork and there is no way to learn that if you are constantly looking over your shoulder at your fellow students as you compete with them for grades. I should add that UM is very popular among students from New York and the east coast, and there are a lot of out of state students there.
WSU might be better for your confidence, because it is a less competitive environment. Ultimately, you learn computer science, algorithms, coding, development practices and the like from doing it. So if at WSU you learn how to work with others, you might be a better professional developer coming out of WSU than UM. Remember that ultimately, all of these institutions teach the same things. If you want to get great at algorithms, get a book and a computer and practice with them. There is nothing special about a binary tree or a recursive quick sort that only UM grads know! WSU is a terrific school, but name recognition is just not strong outside of Detroit. I get that, and when you are investing in your education, the name brand recognition of your school is very important.
MSU is a good compromise. It has a good reputation and the ability to get you in the door at top tech companies. But it is less dog eat dog competitive than UM.
I realize there is an inaccuracy in my previous post. When I said that WSU is rated third in the state by US News and World I meant computer science specifically. I did not mean all programs. In law, WSU is #2, ahead of MSU. That may also be true in medicine. Other programs may not be as strong as other universities – or they may be stronger. It depends on the program.
The post is 5 years old.