Brown's CS Rankings: Hit me with your Knowledge

Hi everyone! I'm deep into the code world and considering CS for my major. Brown University has caught my eye recently. Can any of you offer details on how Brown's Computer Science program is ranked? Also interested in what type of opportunities I might have after completing the degree there.

Hello! Brown University's department of Computer Science is well regarded. While ranking various programs can often vary depending on different factors, Brown's Computer Science program is generally ranked among the top 20 in the nation by various sources.

One of the unique things about studying Computer Science at Brown is the "Open Curriculum." Brown has no required coursework, so students of all majors have the freedom to take control of their education and to dive deeply into areas of interest – in your case, computer science - often in an interdisciplinary way. Exploring interdisciplinary studies can be highly beneficial in today's rapidly evolving tech industry.

Of course, you will have certain requirements for your computer science major, but the Open Curriculum means there are no general education requirements at Brown, and you'll likely have more freedom in choosing electives for your major as well.

As for opportunities post-graduation, you'll find a varied and robust range. Due to Brown’s strong reputation, many graduates have been successful in securing positions at top tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Start-ups and smaller tech companies also tend to value the creative thinking and problem-solving skills that Brown CS grads bring to the table.

In addition, Brown has a strong faculty whose research spans various aspects of computer science. As a student, you could potentially assist in research projects that can lead to future opportunities in academia or industry research.

Finally, some Brown graduates also pursue further study in graduate programs at world-renowned universities. The strong theoretical and practical foundation that Brown's program, along with the creative thinking it encourages, provides makes its graduates highly competitive for these programs.

Remember, rankings can give you an overall idea of the program, but your individual learning style, goals, and comfort with the university as a whole should also play significant roles in your decision. But overall, you'd definitely be setting yourself up for success by studying CS at Brown.

On one last, separate note, if you end up applying and want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle Brown's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-brown-university-and-plme-essays

Alternatively, you might consider participating in a summer program related to computer science. CollegeVine's blog has a list of reputable ones for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/high-school-computer-science-summer-programs/. Admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and pursuing your interests outside of the classroom!