CS majors in California?

Hello, I've been coding since middle school and now I want to major in Computer Science. I live in California, so ideally I'd study here. Which are the top choices for CS majors in California?

California is home to numerous reputable institutions for studying Computer Science. Of course, Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) are renowned for their CS programs and consistently rank among the top in the country. They offer a strong international reputation, a diverse student body, and high-quality faculty who are leaders in their fields.

However, there are plenty of other choices as well, with strong CS departments that often get overlooked due to Stanford’s and Berkeley's reputation. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) are both leaders in the field.

UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science offers a CS degree that combines classroom instruction with hands-on lab experience. UCSD's Jacobs School of Engineering, on the other hand, is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to CS studies, with a focus on artificial intelligence, software engineering, and systems and networking.

Furthermore, the University of Southern California (USC) is known for its emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation in its CS program, whereas the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) is praised for its focus on practical applications of CS in various industries.

Within the state school system, institutions like San Jose State University (SJSU) and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) have strong computer science programs, particularly given their proximity to Silicon Valley and the opportunities for internships and work experiences.

Each of these schools offers a distinct environment, culture, and approach to the subject, so consider which best aligns with your personal goals and preferences as you make your decision. Also keep in mind that the top institutions in the state can be competitive to gain admission into, especially for a popular major like CS. So, it will be important to consider a range of schools in terms of selectivity when applying.

If you want to know how your application as a whole stacks up at a particular school in California, I'd check out CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable elements of your application, including GPA, course rigor, test scores (if you have them), and extracurriculars to give you personalized odds of acceptance at over 1,600 schools across the country, including those listed above: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator

This tool will also give you suggestions on how to improve your chances, for example by raising your GPA slightly or earning a leadership position in one of your extracurriculars. Good luck with your college search, and happy coding!