<p>I got accepted to both UIUC and University of Rochester for CS, and now, I’m mainly deciding between these two, unless if I make it into my reach, Carnegie Mellon SCS, which I find unlikely. U of R appeals to me more because it is a smaller school, a more tight knit collaborative atmosphere between students and professors and more personalized attention, while UIUC is a big state university where I feel I’ll be one of too many. I also enjoy U of R’s open curriculum, so that I can double major in CS and Economics with ease. However, UIUC’s top-notch reputation in CS, as well as the heavy recruiting that goes on there from top companies like Microsoft, makes it really hard for me to turn them down. If I graduate from U of R with a CS and Econ double degree, will I still be able to have great career prospects upon graduation? Oh, and it costs virtually the same to go to both places after U of R gave me a scholarship, so money is of no concern.</p>
<p>" it costs virtually the same to go to both places after U of R gave me a scholarship, so money is of no concern."</p>
<p>You will have to factor in the transportation cost. I would recommend UIUC because UIUC cannot be compared with University of Rochester in computer science.</p>
<p>Rochester does not have an open curriculum in the sense of no breadth requirements like Brown or Amherst.</p>
<p>[Clusters</a> : College Center for Advising Services : University of Rochester](<a href=“Students : College Center for Advising Services : University of Rochester”>Students : College Center for Advising Services : University of Rochester)</p>
<p>For the divisions which your major is not in, you must complete a major, minor, or cluster (which is 3 courses). So a CS major needs to complete a cluster of 3 humanities and a cluster of 3 social studies courses as the minimum breadth requirements. If you double major in CS and economics, you need to take at least a cluster of 3 humanities courses.</p>
<p>Big companies are likely to recruit widely. Smaller companies are likely to be more selective in where they recruit, since they need fewer people and have less recruiting resources.</p>
<p>Yeah I took into account the 3 cluster and writing requirements, and I can still easily fit in an Econ and cs double degree, since they take up much less space than gen Eds at most schools. I’m wondering if a cs Econ double major might give me more opportunities than a lone CS degree from either school.</p>
<p>I think engineers at UR are only required to do 2 clusters, due to the demands of their programs.</p>
<p>I looked it up and cs and other engr majors only need one cluster. but while other engr majors have loaded schedules of required courses, the CS program gives enough free elective spots to double major.</p>
<p>In my opinion, double majors are not usually worth it unless both majors are relevant to your career. I would think that employers prefer depth in one major over double majors.</p>
<p>double with Econ? What are your career goals? If finance, keep in mind that companies/firms are extremely prestige conscience.</p>
<p>Well I’m not entirely sure yet, but I’m trying to compare the overall career opportunities between a CS from UIUC vs CS and Econ from UR, though I’m beginning to think that UIUC is still much better for me. I do know that Econ at UR is very highly ranked.</p>
<p>Wow, I’m going through the exact same decision phase right now, UIUC vs Rochester for CS, and like the OP, I like Rochester because of the open curriculum and the small and collaborative nature of the school. I’m also considering on getting an MS after graduation. If I’m absolutely sure of getting an MS, does it really matter if I choose U of R over UIUC if I like U of R more?</p>
<p>They are both very good schools. Go wherever you feel the fit is best.</p>
<p>Once you get past the lower division classes UIUC is very much small and collaborative. </p>
<p>Sent from my Nexus 4 using CC</p>