GA Tech Computer Science vs. UT-Austin Computer Science

[trjohnson1]

<p>I think I've decided I want to go into Computer Science and become a software engineer. However, I'm not exactly sure where I want to go to school yet. I definitely want to go a school with a really strong computer science program, though. I'm a Georgia resident, so Georgia Tech is definitely a major option. However, I really love Literature and would prefer to take at least some Literature classes, of which Georgia Tech has almost none. So I discovered UT-Austin, a school with great computer science and English programs. However, I'm out of state, so it's total cost is $32k/year, and my family is only willing to give me $10k/year for my education. (My parents make enough to make me pretty much ineligible for almost all financial aid.)</p>

<p>So, my first question is, is there any chance I can get $22k in scholarships from UT-Austin? Next, is UT-Austin's undergraduate Computer Science program fully comparable to Georgia Tech's? And third, are there any other schools with awesome English and Computer Science programs that would let me attend for about $10k/year?</p>

<p>Just for a brief summary of my stats & EC's:
My ACT composite is 33 (E35 M33 R34 S28) (I am retaking twice more and hope for a 34 or 35), I've taken all the honors and AP courses I can (9 total AP's) with an unweighted GPA of 3.92, my the time I apply I will have performed in 10 theatrical productions (one of which I directed and another I am a lead in), I am the Historian of my Thespians troupe, I co-lead a student-run Improv troupe, and I am the Vice-President of the art club.</p>

[TriForces]

<p>You have no chance at UT Austin simply because OOS is impossible because their 10% rule or something.</p>

[gthopeful]

<p>22k annually in merit-based scholarships would be quite a feat for anywhere.</p>

[hpa10]

<p>I would stick with Georgia Tech. Although I love to talk about UT-Austin and all its' awesomeness, the price difference is just not worth it. Plus, as TriForces said, UT-Austin is mighty tough to get into when you're not from Texas.</p>

[Windley]

<p>Georgia Tech is definitely a plus for you.
Go for presidential scholarship and hop scholarship.
For OOS, merit-based scholarships are very hard to get from anywhere.</p>

[trjohnson1]

<p>My only qualm with GA Tech is that they basically have no English program.</p>

<p>I suppose I could cross-register with Emory, but I can't do that until my Junior and Senior years.</p>

[gtalum2006]

<p>Found this thread by accident... quick note to OP:</p>

<p>If you enjoy the liberal arts, stay away from GT. You may find yourself between a rock and a hard place if you decide you want to switch from engineering to liberal arts.</p>

<p>Maybe you should choose UGA and take a blend of liberal arts and engineering classes. Get close with your professors and figure out which career paths appeal the most to you. From there, you may decide to transfer to GT. However, if you start at GT you won't have the luxury of sampling both areas.</p>

<p>Besides, nowadays if you want to do computer science you are really expected to go for a masters degree. The field is too large to learn anything of value in the first four years. GT and Austin both have excellent graduate CS programs.</p>

<p>By the way, this sounds contrarian, but the best computer scientists I know majored in either computer engineering or applied mathematics. Like the moped, the computer science cirriculum combines the worst of both worlds.</p>

<p>Don't be afraid of double majoring.</p>

<p>You may enjoy this article:</p>

<p>The</a> Poetry of Programming</p>

[gtalum2006]

<p>Also, don't be misled. Nobody at GT cross-registers with Emory.</p>

[Momasita]

<p>GaTech has a great drama program- Dramatech- puts on awesome productions & gives you credit in humanities for doing it!</p>

[mothermayI]

<p>FYI I have a daughter at UT, she is an out of state student. Many of her friends were on scholarship, giving them in-state tution. After 1 year UT revoked their schorarship saying
the school could no longer afford to give these scholarships. Some kids were able to fight
it, some did not fair as well. Please consider this if you receive a scholarship and look in to it
prior to making a decision.</p>

[UTPG1234]

<p>FYI for computer science if you are looking for a job in Austin most employers place UT and Texas State on the same level. Outside of Austin the name recognition of UT takes over. However TX State has Tim O'Brien among others teaching Literature ( <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_O'Brien_(author%5B/url%5D)"&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_O'Brien_(author)&lt;/a> The</a> Things They Carried - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ). So if you are looking to settle down in Austin TX State may be a good bet as well.</p>

[Dad_of_3]

<p>
[quote]
Besides, nowadays if you want to do computer science you are really expected to go for a masters degree.

[/quote]

Not true at all - most of the seniors that DS knew went to jobs after their BS.</p>