St. Olaf vs. Union College vs. American Uni for CS with interest in Game Design/AI ["cost relatively the same"]

College Search & Lists
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I’ve narrowed my final slections to these three, and I can’t for the life of me decide which :,D. I plan to major in comp sci, and I have an interest in game design / AI. I’m also thinking about double majoring in something art related, and I plan to go to grad school.

Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking for in a college, but I like a more small and intimate vibe with space for me to explore my interests! But I also don’t want a campus that’ll feel really stuffy. I want to go somewhere lively, but I’m not all that interested in parties.

[ Union College ]:

Pros:
Location. Schenectady NY is right by Albany NY, which is somewhere I honestly wouldn’t mind living. There’s also more opportunities for my specific interests in NY. That, and I have family there!

Good Comp Sci Department. Everything I could find on Union seems to agree that Union has some great comp sci professors. I’ve met some of them through Zoom, and I like them a lot! I also heard they got a pretty generous donation recently and are looking to increase comp sci staff.

Good Study Abroad program, and also, pretty campus.

Cons:

I don’t know how accurate this is, but they have a relatively low ranking in dorms and food on Niche. Campus too. I do want to be comfortable in my four years at college, and I’m also somewhat fickle when it comes to cleanliness.

[St. Olaf]:

Pros:

Amazing food (so I’ve heard), good dorms, and a pretty campus! Good study abroad program too.

I’ve also met a few of the staff and students there online and they’re very likeable. Had a pretty nice chat with my admission counselor about my personal essay about DnD!

Also the cheapest option, but not by much. Overall, all three of these schools cost relatively the same.

Cons:

It’s in Minnesota which is a little further from home than I’d like. There’s also no relatives nearby so I wouldn’t be able to go home much. That said, that isn’t really too big of a priority for me.

Oh and I don’t know if Minnesota has a lot of opportunities for me interest wise.

[American University]:

Pros:

Pretty campus as well and the campus location is pretty great. Also has good safety.

Washington DC, whilst maybe doesn’t have a lot of opportunities for my specific interests, they do have a lot of comp sci internships and such.

Cons:

Small computer science department. This could also be a positive seeing how there won’t be as much competition for research positions and all, but still.

Has the most students (about 10,000) which I’m not actually sure if I like or not.

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It seems like you might be leaning toward St. Olaf, in which case I can assure you that the Minneapolis/St. Paul area offers just about anything you’d want. Just about 45-60 minutes away from St. Olaf, it’s a highly diverse and active metro area that offers much in the way of arts, music, internships, culture, etc.

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Ah, that’s relieving to hear! Thank you. Truth be told, I’m leaning somewhere between Union and St. Olaf, only there are several forums mentioning that St. Olad doesn’t have the best comp sci program which makes me a somewhat hesitant.

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Did you visit Union? Because you noted on their dorms, food, etc.

There are tours on line or you can ask to speak to a student ambassador about the food, etc…or any questions you have.

Let me ask you this - can you match up two:

Union to St. Olaf - if it was just those two - not looking at the third at all, which would you pick?

Sometimes a head to head is a great way to eliminate others because you look at only two vs. all at once.

It sounds to me like you like Union except the food but when you say MN doesn’t have opportunities for you - what does that mean - job, nature, etc??

I wouldn’t worry about internships or research - research is everywhere (just ask) and internships - kids at all colleges are interning - so where you are is less a concern unless you want a school year internship. And guess what - most kids today are finding roles on line. I always quote the Cornell Career Center because they post the source - For CS, it was 112 online vs. 15 for career fair/on campus and people talk about alumni networks - 3 - so I’m sure the methods will be similar at these schools.

Just reading - it doesn’t seem like AU is what you want.

So then you have two - St. Olaf has a religious bent - is that ok with you?

Lots of kids are uncomfortable far from home and that could matter. On the other hand, it’s college, great to try something new.

If the food and dorm scene were palatable, I read (maybe incorrectly) that Union would be your pick - and I get food is important - so you are smart to look at it.

I might reach out to a student ambassador and ask point blank about it. Most schools will have a salad bar and pasta bar and I’m assuming both schools post menus for you to review.

Best of luck whatever you choose.

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I don’t know anything about those schools, but have you seen this thread?

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You’re exactly right, if it wasn’t for Union lacking food and dorm wise, I would likely choose Union without much thought. To be fair, I haven’t looked at Union’s dorms and all personally, these are just things I’ve read online on other forums as well as college ratings.

And you’re also correct about AU, I mean I can’t confidentially say it’s not for me seeing how I never visited, but it just seems a little too big for what I want.

St. Olaf is great, but I’ve also heard they’re lacking comp sci wise. Honestly, from the sounds of it, I may have misjudged the lack of opportunities available within Minnesota. I was mainly just looking at available interning opportunities with video game companies state wise, and there just wasn’t much available in Minnesota.

Between St. Olaf and Union, it’s a difficult choice. I feel like St. Olaf can offer a lot more in terms of comfort and living situation, but Union can offer more academically.

Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it

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No, I haven’t, but I’ll def look into it now! Thank youu

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It sounds like you never visited any?

Do you have a chance to, even one?

Go see the dorms, eat in the dining hall. Make an academic appointment and see the facilities.

or in the meantime reach out to both CS departments or the career center and ask for outcomes.

Where are CS kids interning? Company and location, etc?

I hear or I read opinions - is never a great thing.

Get to campus (best thing) or if not ask to speak to an ambassador from the deparment. As about food, academics placement…all of it.

I love Niche - but you need to make the decision, not niche.

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We are huge St. Olaf fans, but just a heads up - The dorms are nothing special. They aren’t awful, but they are pretty small, relatively run down, communal bathrooms, etc. So if nice dorms are a priority, I would give this some thought.

The dining hall is great though.

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