I was accepted to all three for computer science but even down to the last week, I can’t make a decision. First, I live in Maryland so a ton of my friends are going to UMDCP (not necessarily good or bad) and the engineering programs are, from what I’ve heard, very solid. But more than that, I have always been looking for a school where I feel comfortable and I felt that at College Park simply because I have been there so often. Also, unlike the other two schools, sports are a huge deal at UMD and I that just sounds like a ton of fun and something I would definitely love.
Then, UCSB really had the best ‘vibes’ of any college I visited. Immediately, I felt relaxed and really comfortable, combine that with a great night life and social scene, I really could see myself here too. However, being from the east coast, I still don’t quite understand how good the SB CS program is and whether internships and jobs are readily available. But in general, I feel like I am falling in love with this school, but for the wrong reasons (weather, beach, people, etc).
Finally, Hopkins really does have the best name of the bunch and I believe that if I went here, my work product and general learning done would be phenomenal and I could therefore do better in the long run. In my mind and from what I saw, the community here is very competitive, not in a I’m going to make sure you fail so I succeed type of way, but more in a promotes everyone to really push themselves sort of way. So for me, going to Hopkins means getting a lot of work done and getting a stellar education, but maybe less of a night life than I might want.
These were really just the big ideas, but do you guys have anything that you want to add? Right now, I really can’t even begin to decide which one has the upper hand, and the deadline is this Friday 
I just really need any and all help I can get right now.
Net price and amount of debt at each?
@ucbalumnus So my parents were smart about it and saved up and will continue to, in order to help pay for my undergraduate education. That said, If I go to UMD, since one of my parents works in the Maryland system, tuition is free and that money could be used for grad school if I chose to go that road. Also, my other parent works in the Hopkins system which gives up to 50% of Hopkins tuition to pay for up to 50% of any school’s tuition. So, the net at Hopkins is something around 35k, UCSB is around 25k, and UMD would be just room and board. Hopefully, if I work it out with my parents and work study, I should be able to come out of any of the 3 with minimal if any debt.
UCSB has a solid and highly regarded CS program. In part because of its location internships and jobs should not be a problem if you plan to stay in California and you have decent grades. I’m unclear as to the cost estimate (OOS presumably) for UCSB. Are you receiving financial aid?
Academically of the three choices John Hopkins is the best choice. It is well known and highly regarded nationally.
@mattcampbellsoup - I can’t say much about UCSB. I just don’t know. But I have spent a lot of time in California in the course of my career and it’s a nice place to visit but I couldn’t live there.
Hopkins is a great school. No doubt about that.
UMD is pretty darn good too. My D is a freshman there, but not in CS. UMD has the ACES program (Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students). It is the first undergraduate program of its kind in the country. It was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal last year. The first part of it is for Honors students, but the second part is open to all CS students, I believe.
Last year, UMD in partnership with the Mitre Corporation was selected to establish a Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at NIST. UMD also has connections with the NSA, DHS, DOD. FBI, CIA and all the major companies that provide CS support.
I’ve worked in software/system engineering for a couple decades in the DC area and I can assure you that UMD grads are highly regarded. Being the lowest cost option is a definite plus.
You probably can’t go wrong with any of your choices. It really comes down to how well you actually do in college.
Good luck
UCSB!!
We see a lot of these posts from OOS kids, and as a CA resident I’ve decided to raise $1 million for UC. I just need to help persuade 10 kids to come to CA. If you choose UCSB over your much less expensive instate option there’s no benefit to you, but it means $100K in OOS tuition for UC.
Please let me know I can count on your help raising this money for UC!