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That experience sounds remarkably familiar. I know here in Mass at least UMass Amherst has a remarkably good computer science program for how cheap it can be (i

That experience sounds remarkably familiar. I know here in Mass at least UMass Amherst has a remarkably good computer science program for how cheap it can be (if you qualify for the right tuition credit programs by scoring well on standardized tests in high school). Though it's a poor indicator of an undergrad program, their CS grad program was ranked #25 in the country. While I understand your point, I take some issue with: > the middle and higher income brackets (middle and upper middle suburban class) is the bracket that is hurt the most by college costs Your points are all well made, but I'd argue that being lower class you're entirely dependent on financial aid and tuition subsidies if you get them at all. In the middle and upper middle class your fear (from anecdotal first hand experience) isn't if you'll go to college (which is a huge indicator today of whether or not you'll be better than your parents -- education), but where you'll go to college. I know a lot of peers who went to state or safety schools because of cost. I don't know a lot of peers whose family is in that same tax bracket that just didn't go to college. I do know many friends who couldn't feasibly go to college at all, and it's stripped their career growth and job opportunities. Not trying to argue, just facilitate discussion by voicing a dissenting opinion.

djb_hackernews 10y ago
I did CS undergrad at UMass Amherst and I can tell you A LOT of students (and probably the OP) confuse a competitive program with a qualitatively better program. UMass Amherst rejects a lot of applicants, but that doesn't make it good. Recently UMass started to take Computer Science seriously, gave it its own school and is accepting a lot more students. I went to an alumn event last year and the enrollment numbers of the last 10 years shows hockey stick growth. We'll see if these moves improve or dilute the brand. In hindsight going to UMass for CS was a good decision, but back then my world was small and didn't know all of my options.
sotojuan 10y ago
That's definitely a good point. If you're in a low bracket and aren't able to get a full ride or good scholarship (doesn't mean you're bad or didn't work hard enough, but only a small % of people can get those), you're definitely going to be wondering if you can go to college at all. And if you barely afford to, there's all kinds of external costs associated with college (books, for example). Sometimes scholarships only cover tuition. At least back home in Texas though, you can go to cheap community college and transfer to UT Austin or another UT campus. Two years is definitely better than four.
- jamesroseman 10y ago
  I have a lot of friends I graduated public HS here in Mass who went to Salem State and transferred to UMass Amherst. Best part was (to my understanding) they got full rides for their last 2 years of college because they met an arbitrary GPA requirement (might have been straight-As).

djb_hackernews 10y ago

I did CS undergrad at UMass Amherst and I can tell you A LOT of students (and probably the OP) confuse a competitive program with a qualitatively better program. UMass Amherst rejects a lot of applicants, but that doesn't make it good. Recently UMass started to take Computer Science seriously, gave it its own school and is accepting a lot more students. I went to an alumn event last year and the enrollment numbers of the last 10 years shows hockey stick growth. We'll see if these moves improve or dilute the brand. In hindsight going to UMass for CS was a good decision, but back then my world was small and didn't know all of my options.

sotojuan 10y ago

That's definitely a good point. If you're in a low bracket and aren't able to get a full ride or good scholarship (doesn't mean you're bad or didn't work hard enough, but only a small % of people can get those), you're definitely going to be wondering if you can go to college at all. And if you barely afford to, there's all kinds of external costs associated with college (books, for example). Sometimes scholarships only cover tuition. At least back home in Texas though, you can go to cheap community college and transfer to UT Austin or another UT campus. Two years is definitely better than four.

jamesroseman 10y ago
I have a lot of friends I graduated public HS here in Mass who went to Salem State and transferred to UMass Amherst. Best part was (to my understanding) they got full rides for their last 2 years of college because they met an arbitrary GPA requirement (might have been straight-As).