I was admitted to both, want to study CS with a focus on computational biology. Obviously, CMU’s CS program is more highly regarded, but I was wondering if Brown CS is comparable in any way. Also, even though Brown is (sort of) weak in most fields, their applied math department is very highly regarded (rank 5) and they also offer a concentration in applied math- bio.
Which school would be the better choice for what I want to study?
Edit: ALSO, I forgot to mention that I’m going to be premed!
Brown’s lack of general education requirements should make it relatively easy to add the pre-med courses to your CS major. CMU CS has a required minor. The biology minor ( https://www.cmu.edu/bio/undergraduate/prospective_students/academics/degree_programs/minor.html ) does not cover all pre-med courses, so you may want to check how much free elective space there is after the major, minor, and other requirements to complete the rest of the pre-med courses.
Brown has a reputation of high grade inflation, which can be helpful for pre-meds.
Also, medical school is expensive, so consider how much each school costs, in order to save money and avoid debt before going to medical school.
Wow, why would you want to go to a school you perceive as ;weak in most fields?’ I wouldn’t want to send such an ignorant disdainful kid to Brown. Stick with CMU. It is of course excellent for CS and you don’t need to stoop so low as to go to a place you have no respect for.
I knew sooner or later there would be an internet equivalent of a smack.
@BrownParent It isn’t that Brown is a weak school… it’s just that by almost everyone’s standards Brown CS is just objectively weaker than CMU CS… It’s still an excellent program though…
“it’s just that by almost everyone’s standards Brown CS is just objectively weaker than CMU CS” – This is so not true. Brown CS major is well-respected, its graduates get the same great jobs at CMU graduates. Brown CS is a hidden gem, which is why “everyone” doesn’t know about it. Combine CS with applied math, and you will be all set.
Just curious – if you plan on being a doctor, why is the quality of the CS department so important? Shouldn’t you consider the quality of all the other classes, the ones that prepare you for med school?