Parent seeking advice on CS options

College Search & Lists
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Continuing the discussion from Parent of HS senior applying CS needs opinions [PA resident, 4.0 GPA, 34 ACT, prefer <$50k]:

Looking for general advice as list is shaping up. My biggest concern is lack of strength of CS programs at UTK and UGA, which will likely be his preference (for warmer weather and different environment) vs stronger programs as UMass or Penn State. If he gets good merit (10k/yr) at UMD we’re done, as that’s #1. Not counting on it though.

Student no longer likes Penn State (our in state option), to be honest their summer visit CS presentation was underwhelming and that first impression hasn’t improved with time. So that’s probably out.

Visiting UGA in March. I think he’ll like the location but it’s not really known as a strong CS program. He thinks it’ll be “fine” and he’ll learn what he needs to know. No plans to visit UTK but this school is in the same bucket. I’m not wild about passing on PSU or UMass for either (lesser) programs but I want him to be happy in his environment.

Visiting UMass in April. He doesn’t think he wants to go further north but due to strength of program and nice merit he is going to go.

Loves UMD. First choice but at 62k oos without merit we’ll have to pass if he doesn’t get 10k or more merit, kind of a long shot. Should know in next two weeks.

Passing on NC State, didn’t apply for consideration of Park scholarship and other merit seems unlikely.

Passing on Purdue due to not being admitted to first choice major.

Moving on from UNC, UF, UDel.

Clemson who knows, again waiting to hear about merit.

Full list of applications:
Penn State - accepted
UDel - accepted w 15k/yr merit
UGA - accepted w 10k/yr merit
UTK - accepted w 18k/yr merit
Clemson accepted w merit (announced in March)
Purdue - accepted for cyber (2nd choice)
UMass - accepted w 18k/yr merit
UMD - accepted (CS!)
NC State - accepted
UFl - moved to RD due to SRAR linking issue
UNC - waitlisted

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For the ones you list accepted, are you direct admit? For CS direct admit is everything. However many programs are different. Each website will give you class pathways. I would encourage your student to do that if hasn’t done yet.

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I think you can do fine from any school.

I worked with a young man at UTK who got a local (Nashville) internship after 2nd year, a nationally known company after Junior and going to Seattle after graduation before coming back to grad school. He said - no one wants CS at UTK.

These schools all place.

Now will they place given the CS market is falling off a cliff? Maybe not - but neither will UMASS, UMD, etc. in the same senses.

Then you have some firms that give a test - my poli sci nephew at Arizona worked at a big NY firm and is now at an even bigger one. He passed the test at the first. His boss was laid off and went to the 2nd - and brought him there.

So if he wants warm - then in theory Penn State, U Del, Purdue, UMASS are out, etc and you noted about UNC, UF, and U Del. Why move on from UNC?? Does he not like it. Deferral does not mean you should give up.

Since you’re likely to pass on UMD and NC State too and you are passing on UF (why??) - you have UGA and UTK as you say.

You say you are seeking advice.

I don’t think there’s a heck of difference between a UGA/UTK and Penn State - and I know people consider UMASS strong - but I’d think the same or similar vs. the others.

The types of schools you could add now - a Bama, UAH, Arizona, Ms State - maybe some Texas like Tech - will come in better budget wise depending on stats.

I don’t know the stats but if he’s got a 30 ACT and 3.5 GPA, Bama will be $18K a year.

Will there be a difference between Bama, UGA, UTK, etc - no. Will there be a cost difference - yes.

Then there are technical schools - like Tenn Tech and some more.

But should you be afraid of UGA and UTK - no.

Have you studied the Purdue curriculum?

Yes, it’s in the Poly Institute but it’s very technical with average salary last year $79K with 65% employed and 24% going to grad school. So maybe worth a revisit?

For UGA CS, 78% were employed with 8% seeking. $85K median with a high of $170K. They don’t have a cyber undergrad that I saw.

Bama has a newer cyber security program - but engineering shows 63% working, 31% in school - with a $77k average and typically CS is higher. Not sure how tracked the cyber program is yet but being new and small may be good.

For a small school, UAH is in Rocket City - defense contractors are everywhere - they have Cyber Engineering.

To answer your question, I wouldn’t worry about UGA or UTK but if the money bugs you, then toss in a Bama because it will be sub $20K…or UAH for smaller.

I don’t think PSU or Clemson are the be all and end all.

I agree - UMD has a fine rep - but if it’s slow, it will be slow everywhere and if it’s good, it will be good everywhere. And UMD will not hit your budget.

I personally would not pull UF or UNC - why not see them through - but UF, of course, will be within budget and UNC won’t.

Congrats on solid admits (UTK and UGA) and best of luck whatever you decide.

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UMD and UMass are direct admit.

PSU is engineering with intent to study CS (so secondary criteria.)

UGA waiting on honors decision with honors it’s direct admit.

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CS in one major where skills reign supreme.
I’m not among those who devalue the prestige of a college. For a vast majority of majors, your college makes a huge difference in shaping your career. Of course, you’d find examples of folks doing very well going to CC, but I’d argue they’d have done even better with the benefits that come from being the alumni of a prestigious school.
But, CS is one major, I’m happy to concede is an exception. These are all great schools—you would not regret choosing one over the other if it makes sense financially.

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Thank you for this perspective. Turning down UMD will hurt if we have to. It’s so hard not to get hung up on rankings!

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You’re right about not giving up on UFl, I’m just tired of the process and am ready to make decisions. My student is way more relaxed about it than I am, I need to do better!

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UMD CS is amazing. One of my friend’s DS is a sophomore and loves it.
My friend was hesitant initially to haul him there all the way from West coast, but he’s a happy man today.

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Maybe see what you can find re: very recent CS employment data from your top schools. The hiring environment has gotten more challenging for CS grads, if one of these schools is particularly strong at getting grads hired that might be a thumb on the scale.

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Their presentation was so impressive. The location is great for internships and the school is always announcing new initiatives in a AI / quantum / etc. It’s a big university but CS seems very central to its identity.

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Honestly, I wouldn’t worry about the recent unemployment challenges and let that weigh in the decision making process. There are rough patches every 7-8 years as industry adjusts to market crashes or tech disruptions (AI these days.)
I’ve personally experienced the Y2K, 9/11, 2008, 2020; every single time, tech jobs have only gotten more lucrative (for those with strong core skills, and not those who’re trying to ride a short term popular wagon)

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I recognize your name from EA threads. Did your son make any decisions yet?

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I think that’s great but that’s assuming the student is happy there but wouldn’t be anywhere else.

And no one can say that would be true.

They might be equally or even more happy at UTK or UGA.

Since kids can only go to one, we’ll never know.

My kid chose Bama engineering over Purdue. I was mortified. Well, he works with and makes the same as kids from UM, Purdue, Case Western, and many more as well as lesser known schools like W Michigan, Buffalo and Akron.

As he said, rank is for magazines to make money and parents to be suckered. That companies don’t care. .

In the end, if your kid hustles in seeking a job, he will do better than the kid who doesn’t hustle no mattter where they attend.

The other thing to note is they can get a great education at each and every one of these schools.

It’s not a he can do well here but will fail there scenario.

We sometimes get that in our head but it’s not close to true.

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I didn’t say that this kid would only have been happy at UMD and not anywhere else.
Just stated a known experience of a kid I’ve know since he was born in response to OP’s strong preference for UMD.
We each view education and career growth differently. I may give more importance to prestige over “feel”… in fact I personally may “feel” much better knowing I’m at a highly reputable highly academic school than tailgating for a football game, but it just works differently for everyone. I can’t argue about it one way or the other.

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I was simply noting the way it came off was that UMD is great. Therefore the others can’t be.

It really wasn’t directed to you but OP.

OP knows that UMD isn’t happening but likely UGA or UTK are so just making them comfortable that it will be ok at those as well.

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Makes sense, and I totally agree. You won’t regret a comp science major from any reputable school.

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Oh, I wouldn’t use it as the only factor at all, but if it’s an all else being equal can’t decide, then I think it’s a reasonable thing to look at. Enough people fuss about career services centers that a college with a good one that really works to help their students could be a useful factor.

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Nope, not yet. Waiting to see (1) what kind of merit we get from Clemson and (2) what happens with Virginia Tech (where they STILL haven’t announced EA decisions).

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Goodness, get it together VT!!! I’m not sure how they get away with calling it “early action” — definite misnomer. I don’t expect much from Clemson after what I’ve read. Best of luck in this marathon!

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Thanks! Same to you!

And yeah, not expecting much from Clemson. Which is unfortunate, as it’s probably my kid’s favorite and also probably our most expensive option. (Because OF COURSE it is.)

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