Ask HN: CS-Texas A&M or Uni of Texas Austin? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: CS-Texas A&M or Uni of Texas Austin?

1 pointgamechangr11 comments

I know UTA has a higher ranking, which should imply a better reputation. My friends at UTA say that the CS depart is too focused on research and not the best choice for undergrads.

I don't know anyone at Texas A&M, but have heard that the students are really hard workers.

Any feedback would help!!!

View on HN

UT Austin is heavy into the theory, but if you're not a self-starter learning practical programming skills on the side, through internships and side projects (there are places in town that won't hire you straight out of UT without side projects or internships because you don't have any practical skills), there are two new programs that make UT Austin especially valuable.

First is the Longhorn Startup program, which is a joint program between Engineering, Business and Natural Sciences, which gives you credit for launching a startup. You get mentors, lean startup coursework, help, support, office space, etc., and it's run by Bob Metcalfe (of ethernet fame) and Josh Baer (of the Capital Factory incubator). (I was a design mentor Fall 2012 semester and will likely be a mentor again in the future.) http://www.1semesterstartup.com

Second is the new Gaming Academy, which just started, led by Warren Spector and Paul Sams: http://www.utexas.edu/news/2013/05/14/university-of-texas-at... You have to have a Bachelor's already, but it's an interesting program, and it complements UT's existing game development program, which is joint between CS and RTF: http://gamedev.utexas.edu

Very valuable information. Thank you.

I have nine friends that are currently in CS at UTA. All of them talked about Longhorn Startup program with good things to say.

Two said they wished they had gone to Texas A&M.(I have not even looked at their program before hearing this), so I thought I would bring to HN.

In my experience, when people at UT say they wish they had gone to A&M, it's for cultural reasons, not for academic quality reasons.

That would make sense, from a distance. I will go back and ask more questions.

University of Texas (UT) is ranked #8

Texas A&M is ranked #47.

[1] http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-gradu...

University of Texas Austin

I suspect Austin is better for your career and I haven't regretted any of the theoretical stuff I learned in undergrad.

I have wondered whether I would regret "the theoretical stuff', so I appreciate the feedback. Karma point to u

University of Austin. In addition to the school, you get the vibrant Austin City culture with it's growing tech scene.

Texas A&M College Station

Anyone WHO WENT OR IS GOING to Texas A&M...I would love to hear your thoughts.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com