Help me decide for EE/CS???

Advice

Hey everyone so I have a small (HUGE) problem. I applied to 11 schools and only got into 5 :( but thats besides the point. My first choice as a major was EE/ECE, 2nd was CS.

This is very important context: I originally wanted to major in CS but due to the fact that the job market got really competitive and I grew up low income, I wanted to ensure job security and financial stability. Since I already like stem and have a strong interest in engineering too, I decided to major in EE/ECE and then hopefully pursue a PhD in CS later on. My top choices was Princeton but they did NAWT want me.

Ok so moving on, I got really good financial aid from Wellesley, Smith, and University of Rochester. Essentially, with the local scholarships I'd receive, I'd basically be going to school free regardless. Now I'm unsure where to commit to so I need help figuring ts out.

So, starting off with Smith College, they DO have engineering but its only a general engineering major. That's a pro AND a con. Another con (which is simply an ick tbh) is that I've heard that the environment can be a bit weird if youre a POC and that social life lowkey doesnt exist :( not to mention, im straight so my romantic life would have like...barely anything going on. Other than that, no complaints.

Wellesley on the other hand does NOT have engineering but DOES have CS. Additionally, they have cross registration with Olin and MIT. I would be a CS major and probably also econ as another major or a minor. Sometimes people do their dual degree program (which would solve my engineering problem!!) but ive heard that the odds of getting into it are VERY slim so it'd be a bit naive of me to gamble on me getting accepted to it. As someone that WANTS to pursue a PhD, the connections here are PRICELESS especially since its a small school with research opportunities at both Wellesley and MIT, strong mentorship, and again, lifelong connections. Essentially, it'd be perfect if they had EE. That's the only but major con. Its small but I'd tolerate the lack of a social life because boston is right there.

Finally, UofRochester. Its a t50 engineering school, ive heard social life is basically customizable, and I got into their GEAR program (basically accepted to their Master's program so long as I have a good gpa. 4+1). The aid is great AND they have EE. The only thing that hold me back is the fact that prestige and connections matter when applying for PhDs. At Wellesley, I have the MIT and Wellesley communities and I'd be in world-class research institutions and rec letters would probably be more impressive. Additionally, there is uncertainty over whether I'd be able to pay for my fifth/final year since idk if my financial aid covers it. Additionally, Rochester is like 3k more expensive for me than Wellesley or Smith.

Let me know yalls thoughts please because this whole thing got super complicated for me and im unsure where to go. Im really worried because I really do want a degree thats actually reliable but I also want mobility towards a PhD at a relatively prestigious institution. Any advice is welcome!

Posted Apr 10, 2026, 12:59 AM UTC

11
Loading comments…