#UMass Amherst vs. RPI vs. McGill (CS)

12 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

shy moat
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Schools: UMass Amherst, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, McGill U
Intended major: computer science
Similarities: not too far from home (NH), pretty solid CS programs I believe, all cost pretty much same for me to attend so cost doesn't really matter

UMass Amherst
Pros:

  • Honors college
  • Able to transfer many AP credits
  • bigger school = more opportunities to explore other passions (violin+art)?
  • More rural location
  • highly ranked for research (important for cs?)

Cons:

  • "zoomass"? Party culture? I'm def more the quiet/introverted type (but still want some college experience)
  • Large school (coming out of a public HS with like 150 kids lol)
  • undergrad CS maybe not as strong as I originally thought (possibly confused with their really strong grad program)? Idk would appreciate thoughts.
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RPI
Pros:

  • Smaller, private
  • Solid CS program
  • might fit in better with the kids

Cons:

  • Troy = not fab
  • 70:30 ratio? (as a female)
  • Social life? While im not a partier id rather it not be totally dead lol?
  • Maybe fewer opportunities to pursue passions in the arts
  • Difficult to transfer AP creds

McGill U (general, haven't looked into as much)

  • Again concerned about the larger size (touring soon), but Montreal seems nice. Not sure how strong the CS program is (compared to UMass and rpi)
  • More prestigious name? Not sure though if going to school in Canada would be unfavorable to American employers?

Tiebreaking considerations:

  • are larger unis more difficult for quieter students to adjust to?
  • which school has the most advanced cs program
  • Would appreciate just general thoughts on any/all of the schools
feral burrow
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McGill is cool asf

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i think you should decide between umass and McGill

feral saffron
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I’ve been to McGill’s campus and I absolutely loved it

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And Montreal

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One thing you need to take into consideration is that if you are planning to get an internship in the area you need to learn French

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If you go to McGill though you will be living in the middle of the city as most of their dorms are closer to downtown

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And as for prestige, I would say UMass has higher prestige because of the honors college

shy moat
boreal thorn
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McGill will be fine for US employers

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But you will want exp in college