#Cornell vs UIUC vs Toronto vs Waterloo CS

36 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

steel kestrel
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Since March 2025, Trump's policies has made it much more difficult for international students like me to study and stay in the United States. Also, I intend to work (and reside) in the US for the future.

for now, I have four choices:

  1. Cornell University
    Pro:
  • Ivy League
  • startup and open curriculum, research are widely avaliable
  • great student life

Cons:

  • Weather
  • Location
  • Too expensive
  • Clubs are so competitive
  1. UIUC
    Pro:
  • Great CS program (CS+X)
  • public school so tuition is less than Cornell, CS is as good as Cornell
  • Easier to get to big cities such as Chicago

Cons:

  • The school is too big so maybe there aren't that many opportunities
  • I want to be free, open because of my thoughts of society - due to Trump's immigration policies, I will not talk here

TORONTO

PROS
Great for research
World-class professors and Nobel Laureates
Affordability
In downtown Toronto

CONS
Weather
Cut-throat curriculum (known to weed out students)
Student life isn't the best
Extremely Academic focused

WATERLOO

PROS
Co-op (leaves me with 2 years work experience at time of graduation)
Tech Culture
Affordability
Great startup culture

CONS
Weather
5 year degree (would graduate a year later than most other CS grads my age)

If I learn in Toronto, I have another pro is that my mom have friends living in Toronto, so I would be less lonely as I am introvert a little bit.

Tiebreaker: I try to work at big tech, but right now because of stressful work culture I am trying to pitch ideas and startup. Also, moving to the US will be an option in the future. Industry experience is MUCH, MUCH more important than me and I don't want to be forced to do my master's degree because of unable to land a job in the US. 2029 will be a lot different.

half grove
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The pros you listed for Cornell (specifically the part about student life) is also available at UIUC. In fact I'd argue that student life is better at UIUC given it's a large university.

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I'd also argue that UIUC's CS program is better than Cornell's

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Also unsure about your point regarding freedom of speech. That part applies everywhere, it's not necessarily specific to a university. In fact, Cornell has had students deported AND experienced funding cuts whereas UIUC only has had a handful of students deported

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Also consider the fact that UIUC takes IB SL credit, which can save you like a semester's worth of credits. Cornell takes only HL and even then it's not that generous lol

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Either way, you can't go wrong

remote sentinel
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A better cs program, AND it's way cheaper? That's a compelling choice

steel kestrel
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what about clubs

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I want to get activities and engage in many projects

hexed yacht
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What CS+X program were you admitted to at UIUC

lavish oak
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Can speak to cornell

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Don’t come if can’t afford tho

heavy lodge
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if its CS 100% UIUC

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you can easily engage in clubs, activities, etc

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even though its a big uni that also means theres more clubs so you'll get opportunities dw

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also in terms of weather all 4 are basically the same, theyre all cold as hell in winters

cursive hemlock
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100% might be a hyperbole

lavish oak
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Yeah Chicago and Ithaca winters r VERY similar

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Cornell CS is incredible

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Clubs can def be competitive but people make it through

vestal wyvern
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Ask me anything but i feel like the price alone disqualifies cornell

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If u go to cornell, u can vacation to toronto on breaks easily

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Its a common location

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To visit

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“I will not talk here” is crazy

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Its easy asf to go to syracuse and nyc and maybe even philly and boston from cornell

lavish oak
vestal wyvern
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Unless ig they meant easy by distance but like 😭 thats not what easy means…

lavish oak
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In the end don’t go to a school u can’t afford

golden sky
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If you’d rather work in Canada than the U.S., go to either Toronto or Waterloo, but if it’s the other way around then I’d probably pick UIUC if choosing Cornell is a huge financial burden

barren folio
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waterloo or uiuc

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waterloo is more or less known for supplying to big tech

hexed yacht
graceful light
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I think cheapest option between Waterloo and UIUC

barren folio