Big State Schools for CS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I know this is not a big state school but has a great sports team, but what do people think of Duke for CS?

My first question would be why would you?

Are you restating my question or trying to answer it?

I will answer it. If you are good enough to get into Duke, there are a lot of better choices for CS. Now, what's so special about Duke CS that made you even consider?

It's frigg'n Duke. Hiring managers cream when they see it on a resume. If you can get in, regardless of major, it isn't a bad choice. Doesn't mean there might not be a better choice for a particular kid in a particular situation, but your suggestion that it shouldn't even be considered is asinine.

That's rather weird, everyone knows Duke is a great school but I doubt anyone "creams" themselves over it.

And as someone else stated, in tech going to a school that hiring managers from traditional industries "cream" over can be a slight negative because it has the perception of weak technical skills and strong focus on networking/workplace politics.

Outside of MIT, Caltech, CMU and Stanford, there aren't many privates that hiring managers in tech will cream over, and certainly not schools like Duke, Vanderbilt, or U. Chicago

Duke's average CS salary is 104K. Pretty close to the same data point for some of the top schools. CMU might be a few thousand $ more. However, the good thing with something like a Duke (or Cornell or Brown) is that they are stronger tech schools among the elite while at the same time not "nerdy strong". MIT and CMU are schools where you have to be a brainiac to enjoy. If not, you are in for a miserable 4 years. The three schools I named and even Stanford give you so many more options and you still get hired at top companies. Also, getting into Caltech, CMU, MIT and Stanford is about as difficult or more so than Duke/Vandy/U Chicago/Cornell/Brown.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT IIs scores? APs? Any national recognition? Work experience? ECs and leadership? Volunteer work?

Isn't Cal-Berkeley CS an impacted major?

what does that mean?

They have set a limit on the number of students who can be in that major (i.e. it's too popular). A major like Philosophy isn't impacted, because natural demand is limiting the number of students electing that as a major. If you're a high schooler set on Philosophy, you'll get that major if accepted to the school.

Computer Science is very popular. So much so they cannot accommodate all who want that major. The criteria to be accepted into that major will be tougher than the criteria to get into the school itself.

Cal alum here. Just wanted to note that Berkeley has two types of CS majors. CS is in Letters & Science and EECS is in Engineering. EECS if you can get in and graduate opens tons of doors - $150K salary base plus equity plus signing bonus (data point from family friend who is a 2020 EECS grad).

$150K is likely in the upper quartile. The class of EECS 2017 avg. salary is $108,250 (https://eecs.berkeley.edu/about/by-the-numbers#grads). Probably closer to $115 now. Also remember that the majority of the kids there go to work in the Bay area where salaries/COL are higher.

However, EECS is probably more difficult to get into than some of the "top 10" schools, especially for out of state kids. The CS in L&S is not guaranteed, especially given the extreme demand for CS. If you don't qualify after sophomore year, you have to pick another major that you may not want. Not worth the risk, if you are set on CS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT IIs scores? APs? Any national recognition? Work experience? ECs and leadership? Volunteer work?

Isn't Cal-Berkeley CS an impacted major?

what does that mean?

They have set a limit on the number of students who can be in that major (i.e. it's too popular). A major like Philosophy isn't impacted, because natural demand is limiting the number of students electing that as a major. If you're a high schooler set on Philosophy, you'll get that major if accepted to the school.

Computer Science is very popular. So much so they cannot accommodate all who want that major. The criteria to be accepted into that major will be tougher than the criteria to get into the school itself.

Cal alum here. Just wanted to note that Berkeley has two types of CS majors. CS is in Letters & Science and EECS is in Engineering. EECS if you can get in and graduate opens tons of doors - $150K salary base plus equity plus signing bonus (data point from family friend who is a 2020 EECS grad).

$150K is likely in the upper quartile. The class of EECS 2017 avg. salary is $108,250 (https://eecs.berkeley.edu/about/by-the-numbers#grads). Probably closer to $115 now. Also remember that the majority of the kids there go to work in the Bay area where salaries/COL are higher.

However, EECS is probably more difficult to get into than some of the "top 10" schools, especially for out of state kids. The CS in L&S is not guaranteed, especially given the extreme demand for CS. If you don't qualify after sophomore year, you have to pick another major that you may not want. Not worth the risk, if you are set on CS.

Very few pay $150 starting salary. You'd be lucky to get 80-90K and work your way up to $150K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT IIs scores? APs? Any national recognition? Work experience? ECs and leadership? Volunteer work?

Isn't Cal-Berkeley CS an impacted major?

what does that mean?

They have set a limit on the number of students who can be in that major (i.e. it's too popular). A major like Philosophy isn't impacted, because natural demand is limiting the number of students electing that as a major. If you're a high schooler set on Philosophy, you'll get that major if accepted to the school.

Computer Science is very popular. So much so they cannot accommodate all who want that major. The criteria to be accepted into that major will be tougher than the criteria to get into the school itself.

Cal alum here. Just wanted to note that Berkeley has two types of CS majors. CS is in Letters & Science and EECS is in Engineering. EECS if you can get in and graduate opens tons of doors - $150K salary base plus equity plus signing bonus (data point from family friend who is a 2020 EECS grad).

$150K is likely in the upper quartile. The class of EECS 2017 avg. salary is $108,250 (https://eecs.berkeley.edu/about/by-the-numbers#grads). Probably closer to $115 now. Also remember that the majority of the kids there go to work in the Bay area where salaries/COL are higher.

However, EECS is probably more difficult to get into than some of the "top 10" schools, especially for out of state kids. The CS in L&S is not guaranteed, especially given the extreme demand for CS. If you don't qualify after sophomore year, you have to pick another major that you may not want. Not worth the risk, if you are set on CS.

Very few pay $150 starting salary. You'd be lucky to get 80-90K and work your way up to $150K.

Should clarify for OP that data point is for Bay Area jobs. Anecdotally everyone I know from EECS makes solidly in the $110+ range, but these are all Bay Area placements who had decent grades.

Also wanted to note that when I was in college, CS majors had a chip on their shoulders due to not being in Engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is not a big state school but has a great sports team, but what do people think of Duke for CS?

My first question would be why would you?

Are you restating my question or trying to answer it?

I will answer it. If you are good enough to get into Duke, there are a lot of better choices for CS. Now, what's so special about Duke CS that made you even consider?

It's frigg'n Duke. Hiring managers cream when they see it on a resume. If you can get in, regardless of major, it isn't a bad choice. Doesn't mean there might not be a better choice for a particular kid in a particular situation, but your suggestion that it shouldn't even be considered is asinine.

That's rather weird, everyone knows Duke is a great school but I doubt anyone "creams" themselves over it.

And as someone else stated, in tech going to a school that hiring managers from traditional industries "cream" over can be a slight negative because it has the perception of weak technical skills and strong focus on networking/workplace politics.

Outside of MIT, Caltech, CMU and Stanford, there aren't many privates that hiring managers in tech will cream over, and certainly not schools like Duke, Vanderbilt, or U. Chicago

Duke's average CS salary is 104K. Pretty close to the same data point for some of the top schools. CMU might be a few thousand $ more. However, the good thing with something like a Duke (or Cornell or Brown) is that they are stronger tech schools among the elite while at the same time not "nerdy strong". MIT and CMU are schools where you have to be a brainiac to enjoy. If not, you are in for a miserable 4 years. The three schools I named and even Stanford give you so many more options and you still get hired at top companies. Also, getting into Caltech, CMU, MIT and Stanford is about as difficult or more so than Duke/Vandy/U Chicago/Cornell/Brown.

Remove CMU and put Berkeley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is not a big state school but has a great sports team, but what do people think of Duke for CS?

My first question would be why would you?

Are you restating my question or trying to answer it?

I will answer it. If you are good enough to get into Duke, there are a lot of better choices for CS. Now, what's so special about Duke CS that made you even consider?

It's frigg'n Duke. Hiring managers cream when they see it on a resume. If you can get in, regardless of major, it isn't a bad choice. Doesn't mean there might not be a better choice for a particular kid in a particular situation, but your suggestion that it shouldn't even be considered is asinine.

That's rather weird, everyone knows Duke is a great school but I doubt anyone "creams" themselves over it.

And as someone else stated, in tech going to a school that hiring managers from traditional industries "cream" over can be a slight negative because it has the perception of weak technical skills and strong focus on networking/workplace politics.

Outside of MIT, Caltech, CMU and Stanford, there aren't many privates that hiring managers in tech will cream over, and certainly not schools like Duke, Vanderbilt, or U. Chicago

Duke's average CS salary is 104K. Pretty close to the same data point for some of the top schools. CMU might be a few thousand $ more. However, the good thing with something like a Duke (or Cornell or Brown) is that they are stronger tech schools among the elite while at the same time not "nerdy strong". MIT and CMU are schools where you have to be a brainiac to enjoy. If not, you are in for a miserable 4 years. The three schools I named and even Stanford give you so many more options and you still get hired at top companies. Also, getting into Caltech, CMU, MIT and Stanford is about as difficult or more so than Duke/Vandy/U Chicago/Cornell/Brown.

Remove CMU and put Berkeley.

I personally know a kid who graduated from UMD CS getting 170k right after graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is not a big state school but has a great sports team, but what do people think of Duke for CS?

My first question would be why would you?

Are you restating my question or trying to answer it?

I will answer it. If you are good enough to get into Duke, there are a lot of better choices for CS. Now, what's so special about Duke CS that made you even consider?

It's frigg'n Duke. Hiring managers cream when they see it on a resume. If you can get in, regardless of major, it isn't a bad choice. Doesn't mean there might not be a better choice for a particular kid in a particular situation, but your suggestion that it shouldn't even be considered is asinine.

That's rather weird, everyone knows Duke is a great school but I doubt anyone "creams" themselves over it.

And as someone else stated, in tech going to a school that hiring managers from traditional industries "cream" over can be a slight negative because it has the perception of weak technical skills and strong focus on networking/workplace politics.

Outside of MIT, Caltech, CMU and Stanford, there aren't many privates that hiring managers in tech will cream over, and certainly not schools like Duke, Vanderbilt, or U. Chicago

Duke's average CS salary is 104K. Pretty close to the same data point for some of the top schools. CMU might be a few thousand $ more. However, the good thing with something like a Duke (or Cornell or Brown) is that they are stronger tech schools among the elite while at the same time not "nerdy strong". MIT and CMU are schools where you have to be a brainiac to enjoy. If not, you are in for a miserable 4 years. The three schools I named and even Stanford give you so many more options and you still get hired at top companies. Also, getting into Caltech, CMU, MIT and Stanford is about as difficult or more so than Duke/Vandy/U Chicago/Cornell/Brown.

Remove CMU and put Berkeley.

I personally know a kid who graduated from UMD CS getting 170k right after graduation.

The mean salary at UMD for 2020 is 91,100. Median is likely lower.

[Anonymous]

Big four in CS: MIT, CMU, UCB and Stanford

[Anonymous]

"less than half of classwork is typically in a major."

This is true in CS. It is not true in engineering.

So CS in an engineering school can be a good option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"less than half of classwork is typically in a major."

This is true in CS. It is not true in engineering.

So CS in an engineering school can be a good option.

Not sure what you mean. Every EECS students that I know complain about the workload.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is not a big state school but has a great sports team, but what do people think of Duke for CS?

My first question would be why would you?

Are you restating my question or trying to answer it?

I will answer it. If you are good enough to get into Duke, there are a lot of better choices for CS. Now, what's so special about Duke CS that made you even consider?

It's frigg'n Duke. Hiring managers cream when they see it on a resume. If you can get in, regardless of major, it isn't a bad choice. Doesn't mean there might not be a better choice for a particular kid in a particular situation, but your suggestion that it shouldn't even be considered is asinine.

That's rather weird, everyone knows Duke is a great school but I doubt anyone "creams" themselves over it.

And as someone else stated, in tech going to a school that hiring managers from traditional industries "cream" over can be a slight negative because it has the perception of weak technical skills and strong focus on networking/workplace politics.

Outside of MIT, Caltech, CMU and Stanford, there aren't many privates that hiring managers in tech will cream over, and certainly not schools like Duke, Vanderbilt, or U. Chicago

Duke's average CS salary is 104K. Pretty close to the same data point for some of the top schools. CMU might be a few thousand $ more. However, the good thing with something like a Duke (or Cornell or Brown) is that they are stronger tech schools among the elite while at the same time not "nerdy strong". MIT and CMU are schools where you have to be a brainiac to enjoy. If not, you are in for a miserable 4 years. The three schools I named and even Stanford give you so many more options and you still get hired at top companies. Also, getting into Caltech, CMU, MIT and Stanford is about as difficult or more so than Duke/Vandy/U Chicago/Cornell/Brown.

Rather irrelevant what the starting salary is at Duke. It's a small school with an extremely wealthy student body - they will do fine after college is a given.

University of Washington median salary for CS grads is 100-100k.

What you are saying applies to the Ivies (perhaps other than Yale and Dartmouth) sure. Duke, Northwestern, etc. don't have the national recognition of the Ivies.

[Anonymous]

^100k-110k*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT IIs scores? APs? Any national recognition? Work experience? ECs and leadership? Volunteer work?

Isn't Cal-Berkeley CS an impacted major?

what does that mean?

They have set a limit on the number of students who can be in that major (i.e. it's too popular). A major like Philosophy isn't impacted, because natural demand is limiting the number of students electing that as a major. If you're a high schooler set on Philosophy, you'll get that major if accepted to the school.

Computer Science is very popular. So much so they cannot accommodate all who want that major. The criteria to be accepted into that major will be tougher than the criteria to get into the school itself.

Cal alum here. Just wanted to note that Berkeley has two types of CS majors. CS is in Letters & Science and EECS is in Engineering. EECS if you can get in and graduate opens tons of doors - $150K salary base plus equity plus signing bonus (data point from family friend who is a 2020 EECS grad).

$150K is likely in the upper quartile. The class of EECS 2017 avg. salary is $108,250 (https://eecs.berkeley.edu/about/by-the-numbers#grads). Probably closer to $115 now. Also remember that the majority of the kids there go to work in the Bay area where salaries/COL are higher.

However, EECS is probably more difficult to get into than some of the "top 10" schools, especially for out of state kids. The CS in L&S is not guaranteed, especially given the extreme demand for CS. If you don't qualify after sophomore year, you have to pick another major that you may not want. Not worth the risk, if you are set on CS.

Cost of living is super high where many Berkeley grads go.

[Anonymous]

He's get money at Minnesota. Not as prestigious as some on that list, but it is worth looking at how they run the engineering school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's get money at Minnesota. Not as prestigious as some on that list, but it is worth looking at how they run the engineering school.

His tongue will freeze to the school flagpole.