Best for computer science: GMU, UMBC,VCU, or Towson?

[Anonymous]

Which school would be better for computer science among these 4 schools (looking at VA and MD): GMU? UMBC? VCU? Towson? (I already know the rankings among UMD, VA Tech, UVA). Did I leave a school on this level out?

Which one has more of a college campus feel vs a suitcase college (everyone leave on weekends)?

Which is best for internships/career fairs/recruitment?

Who has a stronger alumni connection in the DMV?

Which place is more competitive? (students compete against one another vs. help one another)

Which one allows closer professor/student connections?

Which has more TA's teaching than actual professors?

Which one has more women students in the CS department (happy to look this up but was struggling to find where)

Are any in less than safe areas? (never been to UMBC or VCU)

[Anonymous]

For a great computer science program, you should really look at GMU.

The others are not really known for their computer science program from what I understand.

You may have to focus on just a couple of your other questions because you gave too many in your initial post.

Is this first child who’s a senior? Do they have any gut feel on which of these they’d like to attend?

You forgot one of the more important questions, are they in-state in Virginia or Maryland?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a great computer science program, you should really look at GMU.

The others are not really known for their computer science program from what I understand.

You may have to focus on just a couple of your other questions because you gave too many in your initial post.

Is this first child who’s a senior? Do they have any gut feel on which of these they’d like to attend?

You forgot one of the more important questions, are they in-state in Virginia or Maryland?

Thank you. My first child is a junior and thinking about at schools to apply to. We are in VA but can afford OOS tuition in MD. DD is mixed. I am white and my husband is black. DD likes these schools due to their diversity as it pertains to black people. She understands that the students in the CS major won't be particularly diverse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a great computer science program, you should really look at GMU.

The others are not really known for their computer science program from what I understand.

You may have to focus on just a couple of your other questions because you gave too many in your initial post.

Is this first child who’s a senior? Do they have any gut feel on which of these they’d like to attend?

You forgot one of the more important questions, are they in-state in Virginia or Maryland?

Thank you. My first child is a junior and thinking about at schools to apply to. We are in VA but can afford OOS tuition in MD. DD is mixed. I am white and my husband is black. DD likes these schools due to their diversity as it pertains to black people. She understands that the students in the CS major won't be particularly diverse.

UMBC has a good CS program, but it's more of a commuter school, which you said you didn't want, I think.

[Anonymous]

W&M

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a great computer science program, you should really look at GMU.

The others are not really known for their computer science program from what I understand.

You may have to focus on just a couple of your other questions because you gave too many in your initial post.

Is this first child who’s a senior? Do they have any gut feel on which of these they’d like to attend?

You forgot one of the more important questions, are they in-state in Virginia or Maryland?

I work with a TON of UMBC grads and we do a lot of hiring from there (I'm in MD). It's an excellent CS program; easily as good as GMU. The other two I would agree. GMU has a game design option that is pretty unique. GMU and UMBC are both known as commuter schools, although I think that GMU is less of one nowdays that UMBC is. I've know several people who were accepted to UMDCP for CS and chose to go to UMBC because of merit aid.

Bottom line, for CS I'd consider GMU/UMBC to be in the same boat, then VCU and probably Towson last. For the actual college experience I'd probably pick VCU, followed by GMU. Towson/UMBC are still commuter colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a great computer science program, you should really look at GMU.

The others are not really known for their computer science program from what I understand.

You may have to focus on just a couple of your other questions because you gave too many in your initial post.

Is this first child who’s a senior? Do they have any gut feel on which of these they’d like to attend?

You forgot one of the more important questions, are they in-state in Virginia or Maryland?

I work with a TON of UMBC grads and we do a lot of hiring from there (I'm in MD). It's an excellent CS program; easily as good as GMU. The other two I would agree. GMU has a game design option that is pretty unique. GMU and UMBC are both known as commuter schools, although I think that GMU is less of one nowdays that UMBC is. I've know several people who were accepted to UMDCP for CS and chose to go to UMBC because of merit aid.

Bottom line, for CS I'd consider GMU/UMBC to be in the same boat, then VCU and probably Towson last. For the actual college experience I'd probably pick VCU, followed by GMU. Towson/UMBC are still commuter colleges.

What? Towson is not a commuter school.

UMBC has 4000 on campus almost 1/2 and many move to nearby housing with friends after freshman year just like most colleges.

The commuter college angle is seriously bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:W&M

Not OP but W&M is not diverse with black people AT ALL which is what the poster said their kid is looking for. I'd look at GMU then UMBC. The latter has a higher black students population but I think GMU has a slightly better program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a great computer science program, you should really look at GMU.

The others are not really known for their computer science program from what I understand.

You may have to focus on just a couple of your other questions because you gave too many in your initial post.

Is this first child who’s a senior? Do they have any gut feel on which of these they’d like to attend?

You forgot one of the more important questions, are they in-state in Virginia or Maryland?

Thank you. My first child is a junior and thinking about at schools to apply to. We are in VA but can afford OOS tuition in MD. DD is mixed. I am white and my husband is black. DD likes these schools due to their diversity as it pertains to black people. She understands that the students in the CS major won't be particularly diverse.

UMBC has a good CS program, but it's more of a commuter school, which you said you didn't want, I think.

UMBC used to be a commuter school but no longer so. If you are biracial, apply to their Myerhoff program. The nomination process happens earlier than EA so keep an eye out for that. I know several kids who came out of UMBC CS and got great jobs out of school in DMV area.

[Anonymous]

UMBC is an amazing school. Not commuter at all. Go and check out the campus. I loved it! My kid chose UMBC over UMD for full merit.

[Anonymous]

We live in MoCo. DC chose UMBC and lived in the dorm for 3 years and then in the university apartment.

Yes, occasionally DC would come home for flying visits like a dignitary (to dump laundry, to store off season sports gear, get supplies from COSTCO, their dr appointments, attend family occasions, meet school friends) - but that's about all. No one wants to be at home with parents when they can be hanging out with their college friends.

[Anonymous]

Wonder why UVA and VA Tech are not the contention of top CS programs. Are GMU CS program is that superior irrespective of the rankings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a great computer science program, you should really look at GMU.

The others are not really known for their computer science program from what I understand.

You may have to focus on just a couple of your other questions because you gave too many in your initial post.

Is this first child who’s a senior? Do they have any gut feel on which of these they’d like to attend?

You forgot one of the more important questions, are they in-state in Virginia or Maryland?

Thank you. My first child is a junior and thinking about at schools to apply to. We are in VA but can afford OOS tuition in MD. DD is mixed. I am white and my husband is black. DD likes these schools due to their diversity as it pertains to black people. She understands that the students in the CS major won't be particularly diverse.

UMBC has a good CS program, but it's more of a commuter school, which you said you didn't want, I think.

UMBC used to be a commuter school but no longer so. If you are biracial, apply to their Myerhoff program. The nomination process happens earlier than EA so keep an eye out for that. I know several kids who came out of UMBC CS and got great jobs out of school in DMV area.

It’s still very much a commuter school compared to most colleges out there. Good point about the Meyerhoff program, but it’s super selective. The kids that get in there have stats that are competitive for much more selective schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wonder why UVA and VA Tech are not the contention of top CS programs. Are GMU CS program is that superior irrespective of the rankings?

No, GMU CS program nowhere near as good as UVA/VT/UMD, but those schools are a lot harder to get into.

[Anonymous]

Easily GMU is best of the VA schools you listed. I would not pay OOS for the other options when GMU is viable for you.

My son is CS at GMU, so we did a fair amount of research and have thus far been very impressed with the program. The internship and career placement is also impressive.