Are students unhappy at CMU?

[Anonymous]

Good school for grinders, others should look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

I graduated from CMU with a degree in Computer Engineering in 2010 with so many regrets. I literally spent at least 75 hours a week on classes and assignments. I didn't have time to develop my social skills (e.g. EQ) and hobbies during my time there. There were many hobbies that I wanted to do in those four years, but I never had the time due to academic commitments. You could say that I can follow up on those hobbies after graduation, but they were never the same after that. IMHO, I could get the same job with the same pay had I gone to UVA, Virginia Tech, or GMU as I would at CMU, and had much more time to pursue my hobbies. Time is something that I will never get back at CMU. CMU is a great school for people who have passions for academics and very much nothing else, and it was definitely not for me. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:just dont get why parents send their kids to places like Cornell, CMU.

all downside.. weather, hard academics, no life

We toured Cornell summer before senior year. My kid hated it. COuldn't arrange a tour (they don't give them). just had you a map at the admissions office and send you on your way. The town was okay, but not very exciting and the fact you are surrounded by nothing was depressing---it was only slightly better than RPI (and my kid took one look at that campus/area and said "really we can skip the tour no way in hell I'm spending a day on this campus, let alone 4 years" and I agreed.

The weather isn't the complete big issue---my kid is only a few hours away in an similar weather situation. But the kids at the school seemed much nicer, the campus is much nicer and it's a city of 200K+, so while it's not the "best city" it's a city. The airport is 5-10 mins from campus (and it's only 2 flights to get home), not a shuttle ride plus 2 flights or 3+ flights to get home. We just were not impressed with Cornell, and their lack of seeming to care about prospective students tells me that once you get in you might be treated the same.

I lived with an RPI grad student in Troy a couple of blocks from the school in the early 90s when Troy was scary. I made some great friends at RPI. Those were some great years! We had great parties too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I graduated from CMU with a degree in Computer Engineering in 2010 with so many regrets. I literally spent at least 75 hours a week on classes and assignments. I didn't have time to develop my social skills (e.g. EQ) and hobbies during my time there. There were many hobbies that I wanted to do in those four years, but I never had the time due to academic commitments. You could say that I can follow up on those hobbies after graduation, but they were never the same after that. IMHO, I could get the same job with the same pay had I gone to UVA, Virginia Tech, or GMU as I would at CMU, and had much more time to pursue my hobbies. Time is something that I will never get back at CMU. CMU is a great school for people who have passions for academics and very much nothing else, and it was definitely not for me. YMMV.

The average CS graduate from CMU makes much more than the average UVA, VT, or GMU CS graduate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I graduated from CMU with a degree in Computer Engineering in 2010 with so many regrets. I literally spent at least 75 hours a week on classes and assignments. I didn't have time to develop my social skills (e.g. EQ) and hobbies during my time there. There were many hobbies that I wanted to do in those four years, but I never had the time due to academic commitments. You could say that I can follow up on those hobbies after graduation, but they were never the same after that. IMHO, I could get the same job with the same pay had I gone to UVA, Virginia Tech, or GMU as I would at CMU, and had much more time to pursue my hobbies. Time is something that I will never get back at CMU. CMU is a great school for people who have passions for academics and very much nothing else, and it was definitely not for me. YMMV.

The average CS graduate from CMU makes much more than the average UVA, VT, or GMU CS graduate.

for the love of God, money isn't everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:just dont get why parents send their kids to places like Cornell, CMU.

all downside.. weather, hard academics, no life

because a lot of people are brand whores.

I thought the School of Drama is supposed to be legitimately top-notch?

Safe to say nobody commenting here had a kid that was at CMU for the Drama/Theatre program. I would imagine a 100% different experience.

The program is top-notch. Grads include Ethan Hawke, Ted Danson and a gazillion others. I believe Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes kid is now there in the Arts program.

The hardest admit for the school.

My DD graduated from CMU school of drama in 2017. She is currently a struggling actress, and we (DW and I) are supporting her financially.

That's 99% of actors and actresses even those graduating from Julliard, as well as musicians graduating from Berklee. That's just the business your kid picked.

Many of the most famous stars (Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Amy Adams, etc.) never attended college at all, the same as many famous musicians.

I realize this is not the entertainment section - but Brad Pitt attended Univ of Missouri and dropped out a few credits shy of graduation. Same for Sandra Bullock at ECU.

Ok, back to discussion of CMU -

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:just dont get why parents send their kids to places like Cornell, CMU.

all downside.. weather, hard academics, no life

because a lot of people are brand whores.

I thought the School of Drama is supposed to be legitimately top-notch?

Safe to say nobody commenting here had a kid that was at CMU for the Drama/Theatre program. I would imagine a 100% different experience.

The program is top-notch. Grads include Ethan Hawke, Ted Danson and a gazillion others. I believe Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes kid is now there in the Arts program.

The hardest admit for the school.

My DD graduated from CMU school of drama in 2017. She is currently a struggling actress, and we (DW and I) are supporting her financially.

That's 99% of actors and actresses even those graduating from Julliard, as well as musicians graduating from Berklee. That's just the business your kid picked.

Many of the most famous stars (Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Amy Adams, etc.) never attended college at all, the same as many famous musicians.

I realize this is not the entertainment section - but Brad Pitt attended Univ of Missouri and dropped out a few credits shy of graduation. Same for Sandra Bullock at ECU.

Ok, back to discussion of CMU -

Getting caught up with nitpicks.

Do a google search and huge list of A list actors that never attended college at all.

Just silly for anyone to equate success in the Arts with a college degree. It’s a tough business and of course your physical looks play a large part as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Engineering schools are challenging for virtually all students. So maybe it should not be a complete surprise if CMU's engineering students are not having the best time of their life.

There's a difference between "challenging" and being the academic equivalent of a Soviet labor camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD suffered through 4 years. She did not enjoy college and was happy to graduate. With that said, she got a job and is excelling. Most of her friends felt similarly. It’s just a really hard school and the location isn’t great. She will not make the same mistake for grad school.

Why do you say that about the location? My kid is considering Pitt, which is right next to CMU, and the location seems good to us - near several colleges, seems pretty vibrant. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD suffered through 4 years. She did not enjoy college and was happy to graduate. With that said, she got a job and is excelling. Most of her friends felt similarly. It’s just a really hard school and the location isn’t great. She will not make the same mistake for grad school.

Why do you say that about the location? My kid is considering Pitt, which is right next to CMU, and the location seems good to us - near several colleges, seems pretty vibrant. Thanks!

Most people agree, the location is great. It's probably 2nd behind Boston for the best college city in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD suffered through 4 years. She did not enjoy college and was happy to graduate. With that said, she got a job and is excelling. Most of her friends felt similarly. It’s just a really hard school and the location isn’t great. She will not make the same mistake for grad school.

Why do you say that about the location? My kid is considering Pitt, which is right next to CMU, and the location seems good to us - near several colleges, seems pretty vibrant. Thanks!

Maybe it's a dumb point...but Pitt is directly adjacent to all the shops, restaurants, etc. in that part of Pittsburgh, while CMU is like 1 mile+ away on the opposite end of the Pitt campus. The vibrancy dissipates a bit the further removed you go...but it's still fairly close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I graduated from CMU with a degree in Computer Engineering in 2010 with so many regrets. I literally spent at least 75 hours a week on classes and assignments. I didn't have time to develop my social skills (e.g. EQ) and hobbies during my time there. There were many hobbies that I wanted to do in those four years, but I never had the time due to academic commitments. You could say that I can follow up on those hobbies after graduation, but they were never the same after that. IMHO, I could get the same job with the same pay had I gone to UVA, Virginia Tech, or GMU as I would at CMU, and had much more time to pursue my hobbies. Time is something that I will never get back at CMU. CMU is a great school for people who have passions for academics and very much nothing else, and it was definitely not for me. YMMV.

The average CS graduate from CMU makes much more than the average UVA, VT, or GMU CS graduate.

DP. I wrote about the 2010 CMU grad. Yes, I make 350K while my older brother who attended UVA makes 300K, but his life outside work is so much better and more interesting than mine. He had time at UVA to pursue many of his hobbies and improve his social skills while I did not. I would love to trade that 350K for the life that he has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD suffered through 4 years. She did not enjoy college and was happy to graduate. With that said, she got a job and is excelling. Most of her friends felt similarly. It’s just a really hard school and the location isn’t great. She will not make the same mistake for grad school.

Why do you say that about the location? My kid is considering Pitt, which is right next to CMU, and the location seems good to us - near several colleges, seems pretty vibrant. Thanks!

Agree!
The Shadyside neighborhood near Pitt & CMU is a fun area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD suffered through 4 years. She did not enjoy college and was happy to graduate. With that said, she got a job and is excelling. Most of her friends felt similarly. It’s just a really hard school and the location isn’t great. She will not make the same mistake for grad school.

Why do you say that about the location? My kid is considering Pitt, which is right next to CMU, and the location seems good to us - near several colleges, seems pretty vibrant. Thanks!

I went to Pitt and I am from Pittsburgh. I love Pittsburgh. I will give you the most factual assessment I can. This is all about personal preference. My comments will focus on "location" (that term is not defined in the comment above).

First, CMU is 15 minutes walk up the street from Pitt. It's close but not the same exact neighborhood and campus experience. I liked the CMU area less.

I liked the central campus area at Pitt. I liked the "urban feel" in the sense that there were people of all ages in the area of campus. And that felt normal. It was not a sea of 20 year olds in school gear. There are a lot of cultural amenities right in Oakland and Pitt's fanciest buildings are right smack in the middle of things.

I found going to class and seminars in the Cathedral of Learning very inspiring. Architecture makes a statement and that statement of civic hope was always in the back of my mind. There are lots of campus buildings that feel like great places to be (Frick Fine Arts and the lounges at the William Pitt Union were some others). I also liked my dorm (large single room) and cafeteria setup. I think I would like the new Honors dorm and the exercise to walk to and from there would literally be good for you. (There is a bus.) The city of Pittsburgh also has a lot to offer.

Here is a short list of the cons, and I'm going to be harsh to save time:

-Pittsburgh has a small job market. That's how I ended up in DMV.

-The collegetown around Pitt has not improved sufficiently since I graduated. Many of the retail buildings are old and not renovated since I left. Which means they are creaky and grungy. The retail and restaurant mix has also not improved due to overall US economic trends. Lots of reasons for this. It's just not competitive with an Ann Arbor, a Cleveland Park, etc. And the ethnic restaurants are mediocre from a foodie POV. I've been back to sample.

-Similar to collegetown, Oakland housing (much of it in buildings dating from 1900-1960), has not been systematically renovated. I know what those buildings were like 30 years ago and I would have expected more total replacement by now. I lived in the dorms the entire time because the off-campus housing was not appealing.

-I am fine with Pittsburgh weather. I also have Cornellians in my family. We are all fine with Pittsburgh and Cornell weather. I didn't find MoCo weather different in a way that affected my mood, my life, etc. except DC has more humid summers and less snow. So I liked Pittsburgh weather better. A lot of people on here don't agree with me. I just don't relate to these complaints. I can enjoy a grey day or a rainy day just as well as a sunny day. This artwork series nailed it. These pictures make me reminisce fondly.

https://www.felixdelaconcha.com/en/portfolio_page/one-a-day-365/

-I have heard recent class size complaints on here. I had a mix of class sizes and was satisfied. Can't say how your DC would be impacted.

I would do Pitt again. I got the maximum stretch I could handle during my BA studies.

Just make sure the cons above don't bug you.

[Anonymous]

My niece is a junior at CMU in mechanical engineering - she has a lot of work and works very hard, but she says it is ok because all her friends are doing it with her. She did make a comment once that "monday through saturday is for working and sundays are for crying" - I think she was "half" joking.