Alright.. Listen carefully please.. Today I got my acceptance into AUB computer science, and before it i already have my LAU computer science acceptance. Im confused where to go.. Im scared AUB might cover some topics LAU won't or vice versa.. Im leaning more towards LAU because it turns out that LAU's computer science program has ABET Accreditation.. while AUB does not. How are the courses in LAU and AUB ? Are they extremely different from each other ? Would I benefit from one more than the other ? or they are both the same ? Please nobody reply with "you don't need a uni degree to be good at programming", yes, I already know that.. But I need a degree to work. Anyway, Which do you think Is better ?
University Confusion, LAU or AUB...
Both Universities are close to me.. I Live EXACTLY between them.. like exactly.. like if there was a line id be the midpoint :p but.. this is tooooo confusing.. I mean LAU is accredited but maybe AUB teaches better or more advance stuff.. if So, why didnt it get the accreditation ? ukh the confusion..
- Edited
--
Ive been to LAU and AUB and checked them both out and they both have a modern american system, LAU changed its not like before. i even googled what accrediation meant and found that employers look at accredited first.. i mean if an employer had 2 resumes one coming from an accredited institution and one Not.. I think he would pick ofcourse the accredited. I'm also interested in which one has Better job opportunities .. eza ktirr 3akazet ma3e.. ill just go to LAU and do my masters in AUB.. hek ill get a bit of both.. anyway thanks for your help Venam, Any further comments would be appreciated !
- Edited
--
Amen to that.venam wroteAlso, like you said in the first post, if you only keep yourself to what you learn at university then you won't know anything useful.
@Hex777 If I was you I'd definitely go for AUB.
I have the same exact situation; after months of research and help, it turned out that LAU will be more helpful than AUB ( CS only). Thanks to "Badieh" ( a user here ), it turned out that LAU has a friendlier atmosphere. Do not forgot that accreditation really plays a major role in employment and that LAU is generous with financial aid. Best of Luck.
AUB CMPS graduate here.
To respond to your question:
- How are the courses in LAU and AUB ? Are they extremely different from each other ?
Mostly similar. But some courses that are given to undergrad AUB students weren't given except as grad LAU coures. Some courses given at AUB were split up into several parts at LAU. Topics are mostly the same though.
- Would I benefit from one more than the other ? or they are both the same ?
Pretty much the same, topic-wise. AUB's program is more rigorous and emphasizes a strong theoratical background. Neither of them will prepare you for the workforce if you only stick to your curriculum.
- Which do you think Is better ?
AUB. It gives you a stronger CS background and forces you to learn how to acquire knowledge on your own. But I've seen many weak graduates from both. Also, if you're going by name only then AUB wins here. (false reputation knowing what I know, but it's still a winner) It's harder to get higher grades at AUB for various reasons but let me put it this way.... LAU CMPS students used to seek help from AUB CMPS students.
There are many factors to consider here regardless of what I say such as the financial aid you might need, if any. So the decision always boils down to what is right for you rather than what is better for whatever definition of better you may choose.
Happy to answer any questions you might have.
P.S. i graduated 9 years ago so things might have changed. Also, i skipped on several obvious points such as a degree being less relevant than your skills which is the more important aspect.
To respond to your question:
- How are the courses in LAU and AUB ? Are they extremely different from each other ?
Mostly similar. But some courses that are given to undergrad AUB students weren't given except as grad LAU coures. Some courses given at AUB were split up into several parts at LAU. Topics are mostly the same though.
- Would I benefit from one more than the other ? or they are both the same ?
Pretty much the same, topic-wise. AUB's program is more rigorous and emphasizes a strong theoratical background. Neither of them will prepare you for the workforce if you only stick to your curriculum.
- Which do you think Is better ?
AUB. It gives you a stronger CS background and forces you to learn how to acquire knowledge on your own. But I've seen many weak graduates from both. Also, if you're going by name only then AUB wins here. (false reputation knowing what I know, but it's still a winner) It's harder to get higher grades at AUB for various reasons but let me put it this way.... LAU CMPS students used to seek help from AUB CMPS students.
There are many factors to consider here regardless of what I say such as the financial aid you might need, if any. So the decision always boils down to what is right for you rather than what is better for whatever definition of better you may choose.
Happy to answer any questions you might have.
P.S. i graduated 9 years ago so things might have changed. Also, i skipped on several obvious points such as a degree being less relevant than your skills which is the more important aspect.
LAU and AUB have now the same notoriety for future jobs,specially in business and computer science, (mechanical is still AUB speciality).
You can after do an extra diploma at Formatech like MCSE or Cisco to reinforce your CV
You can after do an extra diploma at Formatech like MCSE or Cisco to reinforce your CV
13 days later
Hey, Im studying business at AUB.
Their is a clean line between me and my friends at LAU; we are both studying business but I am getting destroyed and they are having a better time and have more free time.
I guess I would suggest you to come to AUB if you "like" to study - but I'll tell you this. Despite the accreditation AUB has the teachers are HORRIBLE. They are noted for the ammount of work they give and they are horrible at teaching. I guess the reason AUB students study so much is because the teachers are useless.
I had a history teacher last semester who admitted to me "The content is 15 chapters from now until the end of the semester .. I wont have time to teach you all that so the last 4 chapters are going to have to be studied on your own" .. this really angered me because they just throw a workload at students and dont do their job.
Nevertheless, their accreditation is reputable and a degree from AUB offers many degrees.
But do I regret coming here? Yes - definitely.
Their is a clean line between me and my friends at LAU; we are both studying business but I am getting destroyed and they are having a better time and have more free time.
I guess I would suggest you to come to AUB if you "like" to study - but I'll tell you this. Despite the accreditation AUB has the teachers are HORRIBLE. They are noted for the ammount of work they give and they are horrible at teaching. I guess the reason AUB students study so much is because the teachers are useless.
I had a history teacher last semester who admitted to me "The content is 15 chapters from now until the end of the semester .. I wont have time to teach you all that so the last 4 chapters are going to have to be studied on your own" .. this really angered me because they just throw a workload at students and dont do their job.
Nevertheless, their accreditation is reputable and a degree from AUB offers many degrees.
But do I regret coming here? Yes - definitely.
9 months later
- Edited
As an LAU graduate, I can definitely say that while I was doing my bachelor's, I've definitely noticed LAU improving in its quality of teaching and professors. There still are some "blow-off" classes sometimes, but they are doing something about that. The accreditation was definitely helpful.
From what I've seen and noticed, AUB cmps students are badly managed by the department and professors. But that tends to get them to be rougher. As in they went through pretty rough situations, so when they're thrown out in the wild (job field), they tend to adapt better. However, that doesn't mean that you can't do the same at LAU. But it's not mandatory like AUB.
In terms of finances, AUB is more expensive and less generous with financial aid opportunities. If you don't get a financial aid opportunity by LAU, you can always apply for employment at an office at LAU (They have a website where you apply, but you must go and follow up with the office you've applied for).
In terms of libraries: LAU > AUB (not in content, but in how modern and comfortable to study in it is). You can still gain access to AUB's content of course, but for a price.
In terms of campus: It depends. If you don't feel like having to walk for 15 mins to get to a class, then pick LAU. If you don't mind it, go for AUB.
Also, AUB's campus is way prettier than LAU's. They also have a nicer gym, and a football field. LAU only have two tennis courts that can get converted into a mini-football field. And an underground Basketball court. A pool, a medium sized gym, ping pong tables and a couple of rooms for dancing/martial arts.
In terms of CS Departments: LAU > AUB. THey are way more helpful, in so many ways. They can also get you free math tutors (not sure if that is available at AUB).
In terms of events: AUB > LAU. Job fairs don't compare. Same goes for outdoors and all the other stuff that happen at AUB. I've attended double the amount of events and talks in AUB, compared to the events I attended at LAU.
Quality of people you meet: Although LAU has its fair share of good people I've met, I've got to say I've met a lot more people I could connect with at AUB, and I wasn't even a student there. (I am not a fan of the typically Lebanese or political minded or jaw argileh or show offs or pretentious art students).
Music: AUB > LAU. They have a really good place to practice music, and a shitload more quality events.
Talks: AUB > LAU. Of course, you can still walk for 10 mins and watch the talks you want to at AUB (as I have).
Sorry if I went a bit off topic here. Just wanted to highlight the differences I've experienced between both universities. I hope I made things clearer for most of you.
Also, LAU's CS program is accredited, AUB's CS program is not.
From what I've seen and noticed, AUB cmps students are badly managed by the department and professors. But that tends to get them to be rougher. As in they went through pretty rough situations, so when they're thrown out in the wild (job field), they tend to adapt better. However, that doesn't mean that you can't do the same at LAU. But it's not mandatory like AUB.
In terms of finances, AUB is more expensive and less generous with financial aid opportunities. If you don't get a financial aid opportunity by LAU, you can always apply for employment at an office at LAU (They have a website where you apply, but you must go and follow up with the office you've applied for).
In terms of libraries: LAU > AUB (not in content, but in how modern and comfortable to study in it is). You can still gain access to AUB's content of course, but for a price.
In terms of campus: It depends. If you don't feel like having to walk for 15 mins to get to a class, then pick LAU. If you don't mind it, go for AUB.
Also, AUB's campus is way prettier than LAU's. They also have a nicer gym, and a football field. LAU only have two tennis courts that can get converted into a mini-football field. And an underground Basketball court. A pool, a medium sized gym, ping pong tables and a couple of rooms for dancing/martial arts.
In terms of CS Departments: LAU > AUB. THey are way more helpful, in so many ways. They can also get you free math tutors (not sure if that is available at AUB).
In terms of events: AUB > LAU. Job fairs don't compare. Same goes for outdoors and all the other stuff that happen at AUB. I've attended double the amount of events and talks in AUB, compared to the events I attended at LAU.
Quality of people you meet: Although LAU has its fair share of good people I've met, I've got to say I've met a lot more people I could connect with at AUB, and I wasn't even a student there. (I am not a fan of the typically Lebanese or political minded or jaw argileh or show offs or pretentious art students).
Music: AUB > LAU. They have a really good place to practice music, and a shitload more quality events.
Talks: AUB > LAU. Of course, you can still walk for 10 mins and watch the talks you want to at AUB (as I have).
Sorry if I went a bit off topic here. Just wanted to highlight the differences I've experienced between both universities. I hope I made things clearer for most of you.
Also, LAU's CS program is accredited, AUB's CS program is not.
2 years later
- Edited
Hello, BAU is also ABET accredited in computer science.
I am an SJS student and there was that thing called "computing summer camp" at LAU (they do this once a year) , and by participating in this challenge, i got an overview of what cs is really like at LAU. It actually sucked hard and it wasn't as i expected. The teachers weren't that skilled they even didn't know how to connect a pc to a projector and their english was weak.
Lau is average although i won the 1st place prize at this competition and i got a scholarship (and an S6 and..), the competition was way below my average. Lau aktar prestige in my opinion
P.s: Sorry for Grave-digging the thread :(
I am an SJS student and there was that thing called "computing summer camp" at LAU (they do this once a year) , and by participating in this challenge, i got an overview of what cs is really like at LAU. It actually sucked hard and it wasn't as i expected. The teachers weren't that skilled they even didn't know how to connect a pc to a projector and their english was weak.
Lau is average although i won the 1st place prize at this competition and i got a scholarship (and an S6 and..), the competition was way below my average. Lau aktar prestige in my opinion
P.s: Sorry for Grave-digging the thread :(
Go to AUB, don't even think about it. LAU grad here.
- Edited
AUB if you're only pursuing an undergrad, LAU if you want to do an MS abroad ( it's slightly easier to get good grades at LAU). Because the foreign university you're applying to doesn't give a single shit and probably doesn't even know that LAU and AUB exist.
Source: LAU graduate
Source: LAU graduate
Salloum wroteGo to AUB, don't even think about it. LAU grad here.
LAU Grad here as well. Kindly refer to the above sentence for future employment.
too much money :)
AUB or USJ all the way
I do agree that LAU has the accreditation for computer sciences. Not promoting AUB, but what I know is that my CMPS friends there are taking courses that are similar to my EECE software courses (quite interesting ones). Plus AUB has a way of teaching that might be harsh a bit, but believe me it's a good thing in many ways (you'll be capable of dealing with problems quickly for example). Might I say that most of my LAU friends there are dealing with an easier behavior of teaching. It's up to you, being an LAU student with an accreditation and an easy way of learning stuff, or an AUB student with more experience. (The CMPS community here is awesome btw :p).
Technically whatever University or Major anyone chooses, it boils down to your hardwork and strategy in directing your technical skills and choosing the area you want to dig in.
But in Jobs, PHDs, Employments and even if you are willing to start your own company, it is your connections that play the big role.
And AUB has the best connections whether it is people's connections, or simply the other universities (where you have some elective programs to apply to) or the companies that they connect with.
One way to visualize it, is to talk to the Lebanese people who made it into Google and Facebook, and guess from which university the majority of them graduated from? ( Do not test this on the Lebanese company's)
But in Jobs, PHDs, Employments and even if you are willing to start your own company, it is your connections that play the big role.
And AUB has the best connections whether it is people's connections, or simply the other universities (where you have some elective programs to apply to) or the companies that they connect with.
One way to visualize it, is to talk to the Lebanese people who made it into Google and Facebook, and guess from which university the majority of them graduated from? ( Do not test this on the Lebanese company's)
-On the list of the top 5 universities in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). Coming in at second place is the Lebanese American University (LAU), according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015).
-I completed all my studies at LAU (BSc in Applied Computer Science + MBA in Finance) with scholarship , and I know many friends in parallel that were AUB. LAU and AUB are Tier 1 university in the Middle east , you can build strong connections at LAU better , if you are a sociable extrovert persons. 40 % of students up there , you call call them nob OK , but connecting with them will secure for you beneficial rewards where strong connections in the upper class in Lebanon money , companies , and investments rest. Why not getting know a "nob girl" and falling in love with you and flourish you with money hahha - Joking (But I know Guys , like me " cough" where this strategy work there.
-My experience in Computer science and MBA where tough , low class averages , GMAT , Big projects etc.. similar to AUB. You can expose to theoretical , technical , practical lab projects etc.. You will be well rounded and well equipped at graduation.
-After graduation will be the critical part , for AUB or LAU or USJ , LIU , AUL , Lebanese University , BAU , etc.. Where connections , luck , grades , etc.. all combined play a role. In a country where unemployment rate , among the youth , tips 40% and poverty is at striking 25% or 1 million. At LAU , the career guidance office is very strong , it tracks graduates for an infinite period of time sending them job opportunities etc.. I know LAU and AUB students , and many , are JOBLESS. Where you are a Computer Science Student or a Finance one , in a highly competitive environment, in Lebanon , GCC, and Gulf Region, what usually differentiate potential candidates and give them an edge are "Professional Certifications" and not "Academic Ones". The academic ones will give you the key to the door, but not the sweet access.
In conclusion in will a win-win situation if you have chosen LAU or AUB.
Good Luck
-I completed all my studies at LAU (BSc in Applied Computer Science + MBA in Finance) with scholarship , and I know many friends in parallel that were AUB. LAU and AUB are Tier 1 university in the Middle east , you can build strong connections at LAU better , if you are a sociable extrovert persons. 40 % of students up there , you call call them nob OK , but connecting with them will secure for you beneficial rewards where strong connections in the upper class in Lebanon money , companies , and investments rest. Why not getting know a "nob girl" and falling in love with you and flourish you with money hahha - Joking (But I know Guys , like me " cough" where this strategy work there.
-My experience in Computer science and MBA where tough , low class averages , GMAT , Big projects etc.. similar to AUB. You can expose to theoretical , technical , practical lab projects etc.. You will be well rounded and well equipped at graduation.
-After graduation will be the critical part , for AUB or LAU or USJ , LIU , AUL , Lebanese University , BAU , etc.. Where connections , luck , grades , etc.. all combined play a role. In a country where unemployment rate , among the youth , tips 40% and poverty is at striking 25% or 1 million. At LAU , the career guidance office is very strong , it tracks graduates for an infinite period of time sending them job opportunities etc.. I know LAU and AUB students , and many , are JOBLESS. Where you are a Computer Science Student or a Finance one , in a highly competitive environment, in Lebanon , GCC, and Gulf Region, what usually differentiate potential candidates and give them an edge are "Professional Certifications" and not "Academic Ones". The academic ones will give you the key to the door, but not the sweet access.
In conclusion in will a win-win situation if you have chosen LAU or AUB.
Good Luck