- #1
kepler94
- 7
- 0
I've had a lot of trouble with this for the past month. I live in Indiana, and there are essentially two schools that I am going to choose from. Either Indiana University or Purdue. Purdue is known for Engineering and Agriculture, but it apparently has a pretty good Computer Science program. It is ranked around 20th in the nation. IU is ranked around 50th.
I know that I want to do Computer Science in college. It would seem pretty clear that going to Purdue would be the better choice.
Here is the problem. Some of you may think poorly of this. Everyone always says "Do what you love, follow your heart, do what makes you happy, the money will come." Things like that. The truth is, Computer Science isn't my passion. I find it interesting. I am good at math. I have all summer to practice programming, and I like the fact that programming is a creative activity. I also am interested in Theoretical aspects of CompSci. However, it is not my passion.
I realize that the things that make me truly happy are playing music, listening to music, writing lyrics, learning philosophy, talking with friends, enjoying nature. I'm good at math, I think physics is really cool, I recognize the importance of science and engineering on society, but I realize I would not enjoy spending ten years to get a Ph.D in physics or computer science.
The reason I want to major in CompSci is that it has a stable salary and good job prospects. It's also something I'm good at, and have moderate interest in. Going to college for Music, like some might suggest since I said I love music, is not something I want to do. I don't really believe getting graded in music is fair. Plus, the type of music I like and that I would like to make some day is nothing like the stuff they do at Music Schools.
The fact is, I need to get an education and a job in a field that I'm good at, and Computer Science is something I know that I can do. They say money doesn't bring you happiness, but being financially secure is important if I want a balanced life of work and play.
The reason I can't choose which college is this: Purdue is technically "better." But IU is a lot more liberal. Even though I said I don't want to do music, the campus will probably have a lot of musically inclined people that I can meet when I'm not doing CompSci homework, etc. The campus at IU is overall nicer, and they have certificate programs in the History and Philosphy of Science, which is extremely interesting to me.
The hiring statistics for CompSci majors is very good at IU. They say that 90% of students are employed within 9 months of graduation, and the average starting salary for BS students is 55,000. They say that Google, Microsoft, and plenty of Silicon Valley companies hire IU grads.
For some reason, even though I recognize I'd technically be fine at IU, I still get scared. I feel like I'll get screwed over because my Resume will say IU instead of Purdue. Apparently Google has its own day at Purdue. Things like that. And since Purdue is an engineering school, research and internships are a little easier to get.
So any advice would help. And answer these three questions:
Is a top 50 computer science school (IU) good?
Does it matter that it is not ABET accredited? (I've heard that it doesn't matter too much with computer science)
As long as I learn lots of languages and take important classes, and get some internships, does it really matter if I go to Purdue or IU?
I know that I want to do Computer Science in college. It would seem pretty clear that going to Purdue would be the better choice.
Here is the problem. Some of you may think poorly of this. Everyone always says "Do what you love, follow your heart, do what makes you happy, the money will come." Things like that. The truth is, Computer Science isn't my passion. I find it interesting. I am good at math. I have all summer to practice programming, and I like the fact that programming is a creative activity. I also am interested in Theoretical aspects of CompSci. However, it is not my passion.
I realize that the things that make me truly happy are playing music, listening to music, writing lyrics, learning philosophy, talking with friends, enjoying nature. I'm good at math, I think physics is really cool, I recognize the importance of science and engineering on society, but I realize I would not enjoy spending ten years to get a Ph.D in physics or computer science.
The reason I want to major in CompSci is that it has a stable salary and good job prospects. It's also something I'm good at, and have moderate interest in. Going to college for Music, like some might suggest since I said I love music, is not something I want to do. I don't really believe getting graded in music is fair. Plus, the type of music I like and that I would like to make some day is nothing like the stuff they do at Music Schools.
The fact is, I need to get an education and a job in a field that I'm good at, and Computer Science is something I know that I can do. They say money doesn't bring you happiness, but being financially secure is important if I want a balanced life of work and play.
The reason I can't choose which college is this: Purdue is technically "better." But IU is a lot more liberal. Even though I said I don't want to do music, the campus will probably have a lot of musically inclined people that I can meet when I'm not doing CompSci homework, etc. The campus at IU is overall nicer, and they have certificate programs in the History and Philosphy of Science, which is extremely interesting to me.
The hiring statistics for CompSci majors is very good at IU. They say that 90% of students are employed within 9 months of graduation, and the average starting salary for BS students is 55,000. They say that Google, Microsoft, and plenty of Silicon Valley companies hire IU grads.
For some reason, even though I recognize I'd technically be fine at IU, I still get scared. I feel like I'll get screwed over because my Resume will say IU instead of Purdue. Apparently Google has its own day at Purdue. Things like that. And since Purdue is an engineering school, research and internships are a little easier to get.
So any advice would help. And answer these three questions:
Is a top 50 computer science school (IU) good?
Does it matter that it is not ABET accredited? (I've heard that it doesn't matter too much with computer science)
As long as I learn lots of languages and take important classes, and get some internships, does it really matter if I go to Purdue or IU?