UCSD vs UMass Amherst (Computer Science)

ucbalumnus
Tue, 08 Apr 2014 22:50:14 +0000

If you are wondering about the quarter or semester system, the quarter system just divides the 30 weeks of instruction into three 10-week quarters, versus two 15-week semesters on the semester system. So year-long courses will be divided into three pieces instead of two. A standalone course may be a “larger” course under the quarter system (i.e. have more class time, workload, and credit units) to compensate for the shorter term. Note that a credit unit in the quarter system equal two thirds of a credit unit in the semester system.

In terms of distance from relatives, UCSD is still a plane ride away from San Francisco or San Jose, or an all day car or bus trip. But UMass is a five hour plane ride away. Still, the price difference argues strongly for UMass.

In terms of employment after graduation, consider how the schools are viewed in the countries where you may work, since employers outside the US may have different views on the matter than employers within the US.