Duke CS or Georgia Tech CS
Fortunate enough to get into both Georgia Tech and Duke for CS. I also got into UIUC for CS + Math, USC for CS, and UCLA for CS, but have kind of ruled out these schools because:
- UIUC CS + Math is not as good for CS opportunities compared to UIUC CS (Grainger) and the weather is super cold. Plus, GT seems to do better overall for CS prestige and opportunities.
- USC and UCLA CS are both in-state for me. While I've lived in San Diego, California for the past 7 years, and love the life here, I do think it's good to explore a new place entirely. Plus, the CS programs aren't as good at USC and UCLA compared to GT or UIUC, despite having a stronger brand name or overall ranking.
Please do let me know if you'd like to encourage me to go to any of these instead, though! I am still open to it, but just wanted to whittle it down to two to make it easier to decide :)
Cost is not a factor at all, fortunately, since I secured a few large aid/scholarships, and my family is willing to pay the rest at any college I attend without financial burdens. My primary academic and career goals are to pursue SWE/AI/ML internships and jobs after graduation. Which option might provide me with more CS prestige and opportunities, and is overall the best choice? Though unlikely, I'm also potentially open to pivoting to a new major or field (Computer/Electrical Engineering, Data Science, or Finance), given the difficulty in the current market and the unpredictability of AI in the future! Thanks so much :)