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Hello all
I was wondering if anyone knew of any universities with especially good undergraduate Computer Science departments. I'm only looking at universities in new england, PA, and minnesota. (Yes, I know that is a weird set of parameters but I'm a weird kind of guy ;) )

I would really appreciate any input anyone had.

-Astrobobocop

By Thekev (Thekev) on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 05:42 pm: Edit

UMinn has a good one, as does MIT of course. Maybe check out Boston U. In PA you might want to look at Carnegie Mellon.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 12:13 pm: Edit

Carelton, while not a university, has a decent computer science program. In Pennsylvania, in addition to Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, Temple, Allegheny, Drexel, and Dickinson are all good. In New England, look at Brandeis, Brown, Worcester Poly Tech., MIT, Williams, Dartmouth.

By Bxian (Bxian) on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 03:31 pm: Edit

Thanks Carolyn-any more ideas fr smaller schools along the lines of Allegheny and Dickenson?

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 04:02 pm: Edit

Take a look at Juniata in PA - it's one of my favorite schools because they place a lot of emphasis on actual hands-on education. You might also see what Villanova, Susquehanna, Ursinus, and the University of Scranton (all PA) have to offer in terms of computer science. Quinnipiac in CT. and Stonehill College in Mass. are also listed as having good computer science. Another thought might be Bryant in Rhode Island, although if you decide to change your mind about your major, their other major choices are rather limited. In Minnesota, Macalester has a computer science degree program and St. Olaf's offers computer science through its mathematics department which might be an option (Carleton is the same). Gustovus Adolphus is another MN school with a computer science proram. The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul seems to have a high percentage of computer science majors but I don't know anything specific about the school beyond that. The College of St. Benedict in Northern MN also has computer science but again, I don't know much about the school. But all of these schools (with the exception of Bryant and Villanova) are similar in feel to Allegheny and Dickinson.

In a way, it's kind of nice to limit your options geographically this way - looks like you have plenty to choose from. Let us know where you decide to apply.

By Astrobobocop (Astrobobocop) on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 06:15 pm: Edit

Thanks everyone for your suggestions

I also sort of have a few other things I'm looking for as far as studies go, physics/astrophyics and history. I know this is an odd collection, but the one factor that runs strong in all of them is that they are all research subjects. I really want to work on projects that will make me think, and if there are any colleges where they encourage undergraduate participation in research, I would be doubly interested in them.
I am currently looking at 17 schools (Its still winter of my junior year, i have time till I have to start cutting colleges) being:
Bowdoin College
Brandeis University
Brown University
Connecticut college
Carnegie mellon
CWRU (cuz my dad works there; Go legacy!)
Colby college
Harvard College( why not, hardly anyone gets accepted anyways)
Johns Hopkins
Northwestern
Trinity
Tufts
U. Chicago
U. MA @ Amherst
U. Of Rochester
Wheaton Collge

I basically want to get out of the midwest, and wouldn't mind either going out into the middle of nowhere, ie. bowdoin, or being next to a city, Harvard with culture.

Thanks a million for all of your help, and keep it coming!
Astrobobocop

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 10:12 pm: Edit

If you're interested in astrophysics, I can't recommend Carleton enough. The two astrophysicists I personally know both have Carleton connections and speak VERY highly of the school and program. All of the schools on your list are wonderful schools - just make sure you focus as much attention on "safety" schools that you would LOVE as you do on reaches and matches.
One school you don't have on your list but you should (a safety maybe?) is Boston University.

I was thinking of you this afternoon and I came up with a few more schools in Pennsylvania to look at: Fanklin & Marshall, Gettysburg (not sure about physics there though but has comp sci), Bates.

By Haon (Haon) on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 03:07 pm: Edit

Williams + Carleton

By Digi (Digi) on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 03:24 pm: Edit

Greetings!
I am looking for a smaller college, in the Northeast or Pa, with a great CS dept leaning less towards engineering and more towards computer graphics and animation. I have other interests, so I'm thinking liberal arts... Any ideas?
Thanks

By Digmedia (Digmedia) on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 04:33 pm: Edit

Digi -

Check out the Animation Industry Database site at aidb.com Click on the list of schools, then look in the US. There are about 300 or so schools listed.

The problem is that every program is listed, even if it's a local community college with one animation course. So, filter this with the names of colleges that you know that are in the geographical area you're looking for.

What I think is the very best program is not listed there, however: Univ. of Pennsylvania's Digital Media Design program. VERY strong CS combined with digital media stuff. But very difficult to get into. UPENN itself is very very hard to be admitted to, but DMD is even worse. Last year they got over 200 applicants for 15 slots. Don't apply next year - you'll be competing with my son (jk).

And of course there's always Digipen, if you're really serious about the subject.

-digi

By Digi (Digi) on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 06:23 pm: Edit

Hey, thanks Digmedia! I will definitely check that site out.

Have you checked out the Arts and Tech program at Connecticut College? I'm curious about that one...

-Dig

By Astrobobocop (Astrobobocop) on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 08:55 am: Edit

Come on guys, the more input the better!