Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

Thanks. This will help me.

I'm currently a UCSD comp sci undergrad, and overall my experience here has been great.

Academically, our curriculum is one of the best (although, IMHO it is getting a bit dumbed down, focusing more on Java than C/C++ as it did when I was a freshmen). We're in fact one of the few schools that requires you to take the compiler construction class, which is perhaps one of most grueling (yet intellectually stimulating) classes in the CSE curriculum. We've also got Dasgupta, the guy who practically wrote the book on algorithms, teaching algorithms here (http://www-cse.ucsd.edu/~dasgupta/book/index.html). For research we've got Calit2 (http://www.calit2.net/about/buildings/ucsd/index.php) which has a bunch of cool projects going on at all times (just pop on in and ask around, people there are always happy to show you what they're doing)

Socially, I'd have to admit that if you're the "bustling" city sort of guy, La Jolla doesn't really cut the cake. But if you like the laid back "chill" attitude that comes with being practically right next to the beach, then we're pretty much the place to be. Picking the right college is also an essential part of the equation. For comp sci (and engineers in general) Warren seems to be the best choice, and basically surrounds you with students in similar majors, which really helps when you're on those late night study/hacking sessions because they'll be people across the hallway doing the exact same thing.

As for students with interest in YC, I think there's plenty. In fact I'm one of them. The trick is getting into the right circles, talking to the right people. Joining orgs on campus that have especially dedicated/passionate students is the best way by far. I recommend orgs like TESC (http://tesc.ucsd.edu) for engineers in general or CSES (http://cses.ucsd.edu) for comp sci. Both these orgs are filled with people who like doing what they're doing, and usually have fun projects/events that enables you to meet the right kind of people.

Now, I don't really know what life is like at UCLA, but hopefully my post gives you an idea of what its like to be a current comp sci undergrad here at UCSD.

Haha, i think you mean Mohan Paturi! That explains how he knew his stuff when it came to new startups, especially web 2.0ish companies.

None of those seem difficult; in fact, I'm doing one of them right now.

I'm a recent graduate from UCSD CS program. You'll hear a lot that the UCSD campus isn't very social, it's true. This has to do with the focus on "academics" so we don't offer any scholarships to athletes and we don't have frat houses on campus (no parties on campus). On weekends, the campus is pretty much dead.

If you do go to UCSD, I hope you picked Warren college. You'll live right next to the computer labs. It was pretty awesome, I lived @ Black Halls which was a 30 second walk to the CS building & labs.

The CS classes are pretty easy, I managed to graduate in 3 years by taking 16-20 units a quarter and I know a guy who did it in 2 years.

I never met anyone who was interested in YC or doing a startup. The mentality seemed to be get a good job in the corporate world. I regret not meeting more CS students, especially looking harder for people who want to do their own startups. Luckily, I live in Silicon Valley and there are a lot of us here =].

A lot of the CS professors are pretentious, I got the feeling that they didn't care about teaching students. There were some awesome teachers though, like Rick Ord who teaches assembly and compilers. Plus there's a great "Games Class", where you're given a quarter to make a 3D network game.

If you're interested in getting some real world experience there's AIP (Academic Internship Program). They will hook you up with an unpaid internship but it counts towards your credits.

Also, the sweetest jobs in the world are at ACS (Academic Computer Services). It really helps when you have a full course load to have a job where you can study most of the time.