Can you give me more insights to pick the right course and universities, I have picked top 4 from all my other accepted offers
1, UC San Diego (Data Sci)
2, San Jose State University (Comp Sci)
3, UC Irvine (Informatics)
4, UC Santa Cruz(Comp Sci)
Any inputs / suggestions ?
Do you want CS, as opposed to data science or informatics?
At SJSU, you would have both options, as there’s a Data Science major that wouldn’t be difficult to switch into, from CS. (Could be difficult in the other direction, but you’re already admitted to CS.)
My sense is that UCI Informatics (emphasis on human computer interaction and software development) is more CS-adjacent than UCSD Data Science (emphasis on stats and data analysis).
What are you most interested in, academically, and what are you looking for in a campus environment, extracurricular pursuits, etc? Are there affordability differences that matter to you?
About UCSD specifically:
Many courses at UCSD in popular majors are major-restricted. As a data science major, you would expect to have very good access to data science courses, while on the other hand you would have more limited access to computer science courses. Switching to a computer science major would be highly unlikely. I would suggest looking closely at the data science major and the courses offered in that department. If what you really want to do is CS rather than DS, you would probably want to consider other options on your list.
You also have to consider your living environment. This is something that I really stress to our kids.
Santa Cruz has huge, huge housing issues. UCSD only provides housing for the first two years. The people of Santa Cruz do not condone multi family units, so they make it hard for new buildings and dorms to be constructed.
UCSD continues to build dorms but they can’t keep up with the demand. Both locales extremely high rents.
San Jose has similar issues but at least you can find rental units there.
Go research the housing situation at each of the universities that you are considering. You have to plan for four years of living, commuting, and studying. Know your situation before you attend.
Do you want CS, as opposed to data science or informatics?
<<>> My top preference is CS followed by DS. I dont have any clue about informatics.
I strongly believe, with DS degree still can able to get into top IT companies by doing few extra classes but I may be wrong as well, where I need experts inputs.
UCI Informatics : Do you know job opportunities about informatics major ? Comparatively, this is easy major with very less maths focus in the curriculum, hence I am not convenience fully. Looking for someone currently studying in Informatics to get know more details.
What are you most interested in, academically, and what are you looking for in a campus environment, extracurricular pursuits, etc? Are there affordability differences that matter to you?
<<>> : Looking for good academic env, lesser parities and get into job right after my degree college(no planning for masters at this point of time)
Yes, going through each and every courses offered in DS. Thanks.
Thanks, I missed out to consider these parameters((housing and living env), will add to my list.
What other offers do you have?
For these four, I would first choose a non-CS school (UCSD vs. UCI) and a CS school (SJSU vs. UCSC). And then decide between those two finalists.
For a student wanting CS, I wouldn’t choose UCSD data science over UCI informatics. UCI informatics, which is an excellent program, will have more of the content you want, and you wouldn’t be assured of getting CS electives at UCSD. (On the other hand, there’s certainly nothing stopping you from adding more math to the informatics program; you could add a minor or even a double-major in math if you wanted. I am not sure about access to additional CS electives at UCI - that would be something to ask about - but at least there’s more CS built into the informatics major than into UCSD’s data science major.)
Are you an international student? If so, you may want to compare support systems at the different schools.
Irvine guarantees two years of on-campus housing; UCSC guarantees only one year, and SJSU has suspended its requirement that freshman live on campus (and the guarantee that they can). Is affordability an issue? When trying to find off-campus housing in a tight market, it’s best to have some flexibility on what you can spend.
Thanks for your inputs.
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