Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMD is more serious.

Here's a basic 4-year plan for UMDCP for a CS major.

https://undergrad.cs.umd.edu/sites/undergrad.cs.umd.edu/files/images/u167/CMSC%2007010%204%20Year%20Plan.pdf

Many would place out of the first two semesters of math and possibly a semester of CS.

In addition, there are several variations on this involving specializations in machine learning or data science etc.

https://undergrad.cs.umd.edu/degree-requirements-cs-major

UVA CS was very rigid when I went there. I'm assuming it hasn't changed. We had a total of 4 electives over four years, and we're required to take 12 hours of physics, 8 hours of chem, 20 something hours of core engineering like thermo, circuits, etc, mostly stuff that has nothing to do with CS. UVA is has an amazing campus, and for most majors it's probably a better choice but for CS I'd go with MD hands down.

Anonymous wrote:

CL20171 wrote:- UVA CS is $46k/yr
- UMD CS is $43k/yr with Merit.

The cost is not much difference.
Which one is better choice?
Thank you for any input?

We're kind of in the same boat so really appreciate all the inputs above.
How about throwing Pudue and VT into the comparison?
UVA CS, 46K(in-state), School rank 25, CS rank 29.
Purdue CS, 41K(OOS), School rank 51, CS rank 16.
UMD CS 49K(w/ merit), School rank 55, CS rank 16.
VT CS , 32K(in-state), School rank 62, CS rank 29.
Visited all except Purdue. DS has no real preference between the 3 visited.
Double major intended.
Tuition are in doable range range for us.
Thoughts?

Anonymous wrote:If there are any chance your child is going to switch majors -as mine did - go to UVA

Anonymous wrote:We looked at and toured both schools for CS. The schools could not be more different in feel. UMD clearly has the better CS program but the campus feel urban, diverse, busy and somewhat noisy. UVA is like stepping into the past, preppy, pretentious and the program in my view is limited but the UVA name is very well regarded and these kids get good placement too- they almost trend toward CS mgmt and UMD is CS architects. My STEM kid did not like UVAs vibe and old buildings. He was Ok with UMD (I didnt love it) but choose a different school ultimately.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well University of Illinois is ranked higher than Harvard, UMD, Princeton, and GT among others. Going to a school based solely on the ranking of the major seems shortsighted. I would go with overall interest in the school.

You just can't stand it that UMD > UVA for CS, can you?

One of the big problems I had with studying CS at UVA was I had to take all these useless engineering classes. At UMDCP you can focus more on CS. It's also a bigger program which has far more offerings. Anyway, sadly UMDCP is a much stronger program for CS.

TRAITOR!

I know I kind of feel bad saying it but being in E-school was a painful exercise that didn't really benefit me. I would've personally liked a program like UMDCP that has solid CS but allows you to pursue your interests. For example, at UMDCP CS, you have to have an upper-level concentration. It's up to you to select this. So if you're into math that's fine but if you'd rather study philosophy or linguistics that's also fine. At UVA I was only able to take 4 electives over the entire 4 years. I had almost no flexibility. Also, UMDCP is ranked even higher in areas like AI or Quantum computing. Being able to work for world-class researchers in these fields is especially attractive. All that being said UVA is a wonderful school. If you are interested in McIntyre or Arts & Sciences by all means go there.

Anonymous wrote:Both are great school. UMD is ranked higher for that major but UVA is ranked higher overall. They could change their mind. Let the, go wherever they want.