UW vs UMich for CS?

But students from both will likely end up side by side at the same companies with UM more Midwest centric but still placing in West and UW the opposite.

I think UW definitely does carry over to SF as well. What I imagine happens generally is that an applicant from UW has Amazon, Microsoft, Expedia etc. on their resume from internships and that leads to positions in Silicon Valley pretty easily.

I’m sure Michigan is great too and I don’t think the OP can go wrong here, I’m simply speaking as someone (like you) who is on the west coast. Honestly, Id rather go to school in Ann Arbor than Seattle!

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FYI – according to a famous publication, Washington is tied for 7th in CS and Michigan is tied for 10th. So I think it’s safe to say that we could call them peers in terms of the quality of instruction.

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I’m not an expert in CS but have a hard time imagining that UW’s location in the middle of a large tech center isn’t a real advantage for UW. I’m well aware of Michigan’s overall reputation - although it’s not as if UW is only good at CS - but you’ve been admitted to (and will presumably stick with) CS, so what does the rest of it matter? I’d be quite surprised if a CS expert came onto the thread and told you that Michigan CS will get you places that UW CS won’t. It would be different if we were comparing Ross and Foster.

You said you liked both campuses and locations equally, so that takes a lot of distinguishing factors out of the discussion. Did you mean that? Because to me, while I think Ann Arbor is nice, UW’s campus and location are real advantages over Michigan. I know people who attended Michigan and are hardcore Big Blue, but who live here now, and they agree. And do you know what upper Midwest weather is? You live in Washington, and if you spend 4 years in Michigan you’re going to learn to appreciate how nice the weather is here. My kids really did after going to school back east.

Michigan is a great school, but with direct admit to CS at UW, this automatic “go to Michigan” advice could use some balance. UW CS is national.

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In the 2024 Times World University rankings, Michigan is ranked 23 and UW 25. In the World Reputation Rankings, Michigan 18, UW 26. Is it really far stronger?

Ann Arbor is a great college town; UW is in a great city with better weather, more to do, in the middle of a huge tech and life sciences hub, and access to outdoor recreation hard to compete with. And, subjectively, a prettier campus.

Overall, yes IMO.

UW CS is, of course, excellent. But as a technology hiring manager I don’t see Michigan as being lesser. In fact, out here on the east coast, Michigan has a stronger overall reputation.

Anyway I’m not looking to debate which is better. That is entirely up to OP to decide what’s better for them - and they’re choosing between two great options.

In my industry (technology/CS on Wall Street), I have encountered far, far more Michigan grads than UW.

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You have not hung out with many Michigan people post grad now, have you??? :rofl::wink:

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Anecdotal. I’m biased. D18 graduated from Michigan in 2022.

I live in Silicon Valley. I’ve not come across many Washington grads, it’s rare.

But I can come in contact with several Michigan grads on a daily basis, whether at the gym, running outdoors, cafes, alumni license plates, etc.

Both are excellent schools, but Michigan comraderie is 2nd to none.

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You haven’t hung out with Texas A&M alums….

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There is a lot of tech opportunity up here, so Seattle keeps a decent chunk of the grads at home. Ann Arbor, I suspect, not as much.

Even with that, UW places quite strong in FANG, so they’re down there whether you see them or not.

Wall Street may be one thing. But if a kid wants to settle in No. Cal tech, Washington is going to get you what Michigan will.

Finance is another matter. Not tech, though.

(Top Feeders to Tech and Silicon Valley (Updated 2024) - College Transitions)

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As I said, both excellent schools. But what I can say is that Washington grads are shy around here. :slightly_smiling_face:

As for tech jobs in and around A2:

Seems like a lot of Michigan grads go into the automotive industry.

In 1980, my Michigan English degree earned me a position with ADP Network Services in Ann Arbor. I spent my entire career in tech (Ann Arbor, Dearborn/Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Phoenix/Scottsdale) but started right next to the U even back then. Obviously, I’m biased, and I agree that either school will serve the OP well, but Michigan and its far-reaching network supported me my entire career (even more so than my stint at Harvard Business School). Don’t underestimate the Michigan brand. Anywhere.

And there’s no better college town.

Go Blue!

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That’s actually really interesting to hear.

coughMADISONcough

:wink:

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Poughkeepsie, NY. Go Pink!

But I digress😀

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Well… that’s just an incredibly beautiful school. hehe

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