I’m not sure, but probably software engineering.
Probably NC State for SE. There’s no wrong choice here. Both are great options.
If you’re considering a major other than CS/engineering and think you might switch then UNC might be better because of reputation.
Have you visited both? Best to go on an admitted students day.
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If I do switch, it’ll probably be something in engineering.
I have visited NC State but not UNC - will have to do that. Thanks for the input.
If engineering is a strong possibility does UNC offer enough choices? Aren’t they limited for engineering?
All signs are pointing to NC State.
How easy is it to transfer to UNC if you don’t like NC State?
My daughter’s friend transferred from NC State to UNC after her freshman year. She had amazing stats, but for whatever reason UNC denied her for freshman year admittance. Since OP is already admitted to UNC, I don’t think it would be difficult for him to transfer (assuming that he doesn’t tank his freshman year at NC State).
OP - FWIW, I think you are splitting hairs worrying about the reputation between the two schools and how that will affect your ability to get into a grad school or get work on the west coast. Go to the place that you feel is the best fit for you. Based on your posts, I have no doubt that you will maximize your opportunities, wherever you decide to go.
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Go to UNC, if you think you will switch majors to business. If you are sure to be in engineering then it is a toss up and use best fit.
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I don’t usually rely on USNWR ratings, but NC State comes in at #9 on there for software engineering (tied with Purdue). I can’t see past #12 on the list without paying, but UNC is not in the top 12. It just doesn’t seem like UNC is a strong choice for what you’re leaning toward studying (looks like they only have biomedical engineering as an undergrad option, whereas NC State has every engineering option).
Maybe you can meet with someone from UNC and see what their CS & engineering offerings actually are.
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Take the MBA out of the equation.
You will need to work for a few years b4 u go to b school and where you go now will matter less than your GPA, GMAT, and work experience.
I think you should pick the school you feel the best at and throw the other things, such as rank, out the window.
You have two great choices so you win either way.
This is interesting, I never noticed they ranked for software engineering differently than CS.
Really rough choice but a great one to have. UNC is better known nationally and according to the US News ratings their comp sci dept is higher. Also a nicer campus IMO (if that matters). But state is getting better really fast and for engineering is very strong. I think that covers comp sci too. You will have lots of alumni connections when you leave either assuming you stay local. If you move to California, say, UNC might be more recognizable (although I don’t know if that matters, esp if you stay in comp sci). Tough choice. These are also my opinions and might be irrelevant to you lol.
What you’re saying is exactly what my peers are saying (they’re leaning towards UNC Comp Sci). But the thing is, would NC State not be recognizable in the west coast? Also, if I get my first job here locally, then college wouldn’t really matter, right?
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Here’s another tool for CS rankings if that’s important. Be sure to filter on areas of CS that are interesting to you. If you just look at the overall rank UNC is 44 and NC State is 55. However, you said you’re thinking SE. Filter for that and NC State is #2 overall.
NC State is a fine school. Our neighbor’s son graduated from NC State CS. He worked in Atlanta and Austin before going back to Georgia Tech for his PhD. It won’t prevent you from working anywhere you want.
If you think you’ll switch to engineering then NC State is probably the better choice. They offer more engineering disciplines. If you think you might switch to business or economics then go to UNC. After a year if you decide you don’t like where you’re at then try to transfer. There’s no wrong choice here. Good luck.
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Did you look through career outcome reports and compared median salaries by major and geo distribution as well as the mix of top employers.
The way I see it, UNC is THE flagship state school in NC…public ivy and all that. In every national ranking it is a top public school, no matter which survey you look at. I don’t know how much weight that carries with employers etc. Regionally NC State is really strong and for engineering it is very strong. Does it compete as readily on a national stage as UNC? And does that matter for what you want to do? You likely have a gut feeling about one versus the other and that counts as well because you can’t go wrong with either one.
If one of them is a direct admit, go with that. Less stress in the first year.
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If you go the engineering route, UNC is only ABET accredited in Biomedical and Health Sciences Engineering (B.S.). ABET accreditation is VERY important to employers and graduate schools in the field of engineering.
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Setting The Standard Worldwide (ABET.org)
We are a nonprofit, non-governmental agency that accredits programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.
ABET accreditation provides assurance that a college or university program meets the quality standards of the profession for which that program prepares graduates.
We accredit programs, not institutions. We provide specialized accreditation for post-secondary programs within degree-granting institutions already recognized by national or regional institutional accreditation agencies or national education authorities worldwide.
Our accreditation is voluntary, and to date, 4,361 programs at 850 colleges and universities in 41 countries have received ABET accreditation. Over 175,000 students graduate from ABET-accredited programs each year, and millions of graduates have received degrees from ABET-accredited programs since 1932.
Update: February 27, 2022. Please feel free to give and advice and input!
Note: All admittances are CS unless otherwise specified.
University of Pittsburgh - Admitted
UIUC (Admitted CS+Chemistry (!!!)
Virginia Tech - Admitted
Baylor - Admitted
UVA - Rejected
Previous Decisions (all admittances unless otherwise specified):
Georgia Tech - Rejected
Fordham - Deferred
University of Michigan - Deferred
Tulane - Deferred
Purdue - Admitted second choice major of Business Analytics and Information Management
NC State
UNC Chapel Hill
Michigan Technological University
Elon University
Stetson University (Received $21,000 yearly presidential scholarship)
Seton Hall University (Received $88,500 scholarship for 4 years - $21,000 annually)
University of South Carolina (Received minimum of $86,000 scholarship for 4 years)
UNC Charlotte
University of Alabama
Northern Arizona University
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Missouri S&T (Received $16,000 total scholarship)
East Carolina University
Florida Institute of Technology ($40,000 total scholarship, $10,000 yearly)
Arizona State University (Presidential award, $15,500 yearly w/admittance to Barrett)
Waiting for:
RIT
Northeastern
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Harvard
Cornell
Johns Hopkins
Carnegie Mellon
Denison
UMass Lowell
Tulane (Previously Deferred)
Fordham (Previously Deferred)
U-Mich (Previously Deferred)
Had great outcomes this past update! I still haven’t picked between NCSU and UNC and now, I have to think about picking UIUC as well since it’s such a good school. Any input is highly appreciated. I am still waiting on about 10 RD schools: Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Cornell, Wash U etc. Who knows how things will turn out!
If anyone can provide input on UIUC CS+Chemistry degree and if it’s worth the 50k OOS COA, I would appreciate that. I know it’s a top school with a plethora of opportunities but don’t know if it’s worth going over NCSU and UNC. I was going to consider Virginia Tech but thats about 55k too and it’s like NCSU level so if I am going to pay that much, I would just go to UIUC.
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to make the next few updates! Big schools!
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Your best option on this list is UIUC if money is not a blocker. The average starting salary is around 105 for CS and that is probably 25-30K more than your alternatives so you will earn it back quickly. However it’s in the middle of nowhere.
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Lots of kids that go to UNC because of their business school can’t get in. You have to have a Plan B. I think business school GPA was a 3.7 last year plus they emphasize diversity in the admission process so if you are considered non-diverse (white or Asian male) you have an uphill battle even with a 3.7.
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