u/E_was_here

Hi there. Just as the title above says, I got into UCLA earlier today for CS off the waitlist like at around 8 am ish. I'm from Texas. Hope this helps and good luck to the waitlist warriors out there hoping for UCLA.

Hi there. I'm a senior trying to figure out where to go and I'm very indecisive. I'm majoring in CS but I'm also interested in potentially being a doctor. I want to get at least a masters in the future and if I do go the full cs route I'm still unsure if I want to go into AI/ML, Quant, or SWE. I'm full pay for UT and BU costs like 30k more but I'm waiting for the financial aid appeal results. I'm also on lots of waitlists that I would choose over both these schools but the chance of getting off is pretty low. I'm also considering possibly doing transfer admissions in the future. Below are some pros and cons I have for each school.

UT

Pros:

• Top 10 CS program and good CS networking (went on a personalized tour of the cs program apparently they have companies come and recruit every 2 weeks)
• Lots of CS clubs that companies recruit from
• I know many friends going there and already have an established network (ish)
• In state tuition and parents will pay for all of that
• Has a idea to prototype entrepreneurship class
• Research opportunities are relatively accessible (didn't apply for the freshman research initiative though)

Cons:

• I don't know how but I somehow turned several people at my HS who now attend UT into my ops and they still haven't gotten over it after 1.5 years. (Yes, they even gave death stares when I visited campus last week)
• CS building is relatively small, relatively antiquated, and looks like a prison according to my dad
• I didn't really like the vibes there with the people I met
• I probably won't be able to get a dorm as I'm deciding pretty late, so I'd have to find an apartment and the university doesn't really help with that.
• Lacks the kinds of equipment in the makerspace that I want to have access to
• Hard to change majors
• Premed/career advising isn't the best according to friends who attend
• Large classes though they get smaller when you get to upper level courses

BU

Pros:

• If I go the med route, 85% med school matriculation rate for those who apply and pre-med advising is really good there.
• I want a fresh slate in college and I will know literally no one there
• CS building is rather large and modern
• Sat for CS lecture and found the curriculum and types of professors there to be really interesting and outgoing
• Core Curriculum
• Heavily project based and experiential learning classes like internship classes and deliverable projects in collaboration with industry
• Makerspace is well equipped and accessible to all
• Easy to change majors within my college
• Beautiful campus
• I love the vibes of the people I met
• Easy to get research opportunities
• Small classes in general from what I could tell

Cons:

• Costs 30k extra unless my appeal goes through. I've negotiated a deal with my parents where they'll pay whatever the cost of instate tuition is for UT and I will have to cover the rest and repay them in the future regardless of the school I go to (including waitlists if I get off them)
• CS network isn't as good as UT and the recruiting doesn't seem to attract FAANG type companies or Quant. The CS academic advisor was gatekeeping when I asked about the companies that recruit from BU.
• Cold weather (I'm not exactly equipped for that kind of weather yet)
• Labs I toured on campus seem rather antiquated compared to the other facilities I saw at UT
• CS clubs seem rather limited and don't have particularly strong ties to industry

I'm super indecisive about what to choose even though I've toured both and I appreciate the help.