2nd BS choosing college for Grad School Prep, Advice wanted

College Search & Selection
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<p>First, thanks in advance to anyone who reads this and can lend me some advice. My question might be a little complicated (and perhaps some ado over nothing), but I'll try to be as concise as possible.</p>

<p>So I graduated from UCLA awhile back in 2008, with a degree in English. Obviously I made a terrible terrible mistake. It took approximately two years for me to realize fully how screwed I really was, even moreso due to the decrepit status of the labor market at that time. Luckily, I possess, I believe, a well-rounded intelligence and decided to change course to a career with better job prospects than the unmentionable $10.50 an hour job my first degree prepared me for. </p>

<p>So I went back to CC and started taking as much of undergraduate curriculum in computer science as possible (Calc 1&2, Programming, Data Structures, Physics + I had taken a couple CS courses at UCLA through honor's programs), with the ultimate goal of being accepted into USC to obtain a Master's degree. Most specifically in CS w/ Game programming concentration, due not only to the obvious inherent interest in the field, but because from what I gather, it's a robust job market and the pay is generally higher (more so for someone with a concentration, as I intend to obtain in AI programming). USC because, not only is it local, but it's also consistently ranked among the top schools for that field.</p>

<p>So fast forward to now, I applied to several second bachelor's programs, both because those school will allow me to take prep courses I can't at my CC, but also because even graduating with a BS, no master's opens up doors not open to me now. I've been accepted to both CSULB and UCI, and I have to decide which one, though obviously my real goal is USC, which I haven't applied to yet, and will in the fall. I'm leaning toward CSULB because its flexible program allows me to graduate in only a year (compared to 2 at UCI) and in addition, it's cheaper. I accumulated zero debt my first round through college, but am prepared to make full use of student loans this time around, given that by playing my cars right a $90k job right out of college is possible. But UCI is the school with the better reputation, and I can't pick the lesser school unless I know for a fact I'm making the right choice.</p>

<p>I talked to an advisor at USC who informed me, they've accepted applicants from both colleges, and I should apply this fall regardless. So, to summarize should I pick the 'lesser' school (CSULB) over the better school (UCI), knowing I already have a UCLA degree in my pocket because it offers the quicker, cheaper degree? Am I creating stress over nothing?</p>

<p>If it helps my GPA is 3.7+ now (higher in only science, programming, math classes) and should improve with each passing semester. I haven't taken the GRE yet (will over the summer) but am confident I'll do well, at least on the math/reasoning section. And of course will attempt to obtain any honors or extra circulars possible at either college. Thanks again to anybody who got through this and can offer advice about my decision or anything else. I really am stressing about what choice to make, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>You do not need a master’s degree to work in computer software jobs. Indeed, studying for a master’s degree in CS that is not funded (by either fellowship/TAship/RAship or by your employer) is unlikely to give a positive return on investment (even if funded, it may not, but that depends on the timing of your bachelor’s and master’s degree graduation dates compared to economic and industry cycles). Going for a PhD in CS is mainly for those who want academic or cutting edge basic research jobs.</p>

<p>Also, overspecializing in game software may box you into too narrow a range of computer software jobs. If you include courses for a general preparation for computer software jobs like algorithms/complexity, operating systems, networks, databases, software engineering, and security, then you will be better prepared for any computer software job opportunity that you find. You can take additional electives in graphics, artificial intelligence, art, animation, and physics (mechanics) for games.</p>

<p>A $90,000 per year job at graduation is on the optimistic side, according to <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys.html&lt;/a&gt; .</p>

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<p>-ucbalumnus</p>

<p>Thank you for your reply. It’s much appreciated.</p>

<p>Indeed I understand you don’t need a master’s degree, or in many cases even a BS to get jobs in the tech industry. It’s the ‘good’ jobs I want though. And I’m not sure a BS from CSULB is likely to open those doors for me. I have a UCLA or UCB GPA, but I’m barred from those institutions because I already have a degree. I guess I feel like I’ll always be on the short stick job wise with a degree from a 2nd tier institution, regardless of the fact that I feel my coursework puts me at that level. Or to put it another way, a master’s might give me the opportunity to be a lead at some point, while a second tier BS might never get me above, regardless of my actual work.</p>

<p>In therein lies the question, what’s the better career move one year at CSULB (and then 2 years at grad school), or two years at UCI (the best possible institution for 2nd degree possible in my area) and then maybe 2 years of grad school.</p>

<p>As far as the game programming goes, everywhere I go I’ve read video game programmers make more money (one figure I read put it at 67k average for general to a 90k average, but of course you can believe everything you read on the internet), though 90k first year might indeed by too optimistic. But indeed any shot at a rewarding and interesting market with a 90k average sounds worth it. And getting into the #1 ranked game dev program in the country and aggressively interning, sounds like a very strong way to get my foot in the door. The coursework does indeed include many of the things you mentioned (and I’m already enrolled in several tentatively at CSULB).</p>

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<p>You don’t need a second bachelor’s degree to get a master’s in CS. Carnegie Mellon, currently ranked #1 in computer science, doesn’t require an undergraduate major in computer science. I am willing to bet that the majority of CS programs on down from there don’t, either.</p>

<p>You probably just need to take some courses as a non-degree student to earn the prerequisites for the program.</p>

<p>As far as grad school admission goes, though, where you go is less important than what you do there. I’m of the opinion that you should take the faster, cheaper route. Excel in your classes and form some relationships with your professors, and do an internship in CS if you can. If you have an excellent record, you can get into a great grad program from the CSU.</p>

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<p>Have you done any informational interviews with people who have the jobs you are interested in, both right out of school and in the future. You say you want to be a “lead” but in my experience one is promoted to that position on the basis of performance on the job and not because of a piece of paper.</p>

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<p>-juillet</p>

<p>Thanks for your reply.</p>

<p>I have indeed been told the same thing, regarding second bachelor’s. There’s a chance I might try to apply to USC this fall, without finishing. But I applied to two becasue I figured I’d either at most get a second degree and help my chances, or at the least get access to courses not offered at CC (Software Engineering and AI, to be more specific) before transferring.</p>

<p>Your advice about what you do vs where you go has been kind of my leaning. I’m fairly confident if I can graduate with honors, which I believe can make up the difference in schools vs the extra year of my life at UCI (which I obviously can’t make up anywhere). But I guess you could say I’m skittish, and am considering all advice possible.</p>

<p>-boysx3</p>

<p>Thanks for the idea. I guess I never really thought of that. I’m not sure I’d know where to start but its worth looking into. One of the most mind numbing things about the process is I’ve heard every peice of advice possible. Grad school as an engineer doubles your income over your lifetime, grad school is complete waste of money, people without grad degrees get taken advantage of and can’t climb the corporate ladder in software engineering, grad degrees hurt your job chances, ect.</p>

<p>I guess I’m fixated on the peice of paper because it’s the one variable I’m not sure of. I know I will work hard, master my craft, and do all the necessary social enterprising to succeed, but if I’m chained to an underwhelming academic degree I worry I’ll always have to play catch up to show I belong. I guess you could say I’m a perfectionist aiming for the full house, instead of the two pair.</p>

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<p>I thought I’d bump my own thread one more time in case anyone had any useful advice/information for me. I have one more week to make a very possibly life altering choice.</p>

<p>In case you didn’t want to read the above post, here’s my question in the briefest way possible: </p>

<p>I have a degree in English from UCLA. I want a graduate degree in Computer Science (preferably USC’s game software engineering Master’s). I’ve been accepted for a 2nd bachelors in CS at UCI and CSULB. UCI = better school, graduate in 2 years. CSULB = not as good school, graduate 1 year. I’m leaning toward CSULB because I’m already 26 and don’t want to be in college forever, and I figure the UCLA degree will boost me up already. Am I making the right choice?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>You may want to ask the CSULB and UCI career centers about who comes recruiting new CS graduates at each school, since that can make a difference in finding your first job at graduation. If you are at a less recruited school, you may have to be more aggressive at finding companies to apply to for your first job at graduation. Later jobs will depend more on your experience and performance in technical interviews.</p>

<p>Gaming is only a small part of the computer industry; try to take the usual general CS course work (which is useful in the game context anyway) so that you have more options in the computer industry if you cannot find a desirable game job to start.</p>

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<p>-ucbalumnus</p>

<p>Thanks again for the helpful reply. You need not worry about me not taking general classes, although I appreciate the advice. Whether I get a 2nd degree from UCI or CSULB it’ll be in general computer science. In fact, I’ve never taken a ‘game’ programming class, and likely won’t until I (theoretically) get into a graduate program on the very subject. So far I’ve taken C, C++, Java, Advanced Java, Calc 1&2, Physics (Mechanics), and Data Structures. And am tentatively enrolled at CSULB in Fund. of Software Engineering, Discrete Structures, Linear Algebra, AI, Internet programming, Probability and Stats, and Computer Architecture, and that’s just summer and my first semester. Or essentially I am indeed aiming to be a well rounded CS student, and should graduate that way. I plan on teaching myself OpenGL and other more ‘game’ related skills in my spare time to better my chances of a game software job and/or game software graduate admission.</p>

<p>That sounds like a good point about good point about getting my foot in the door. I just gotta think the extra opportunities at UCI won’t be worth year of my life, which is what I’m trying to confirm, though I understand no one really knows for sure, but any info helps. My theory on grad school is if I can graduate with enough honors + work I did my own, I should have a strong shot despite what school I went to (as an English graduate, it’s worth noting I write excellent admissions essays). Which reenforces CSULB (though I’d love if anyone could confirm that.) About the job market, I wonder if my dual degree status would give me an edge of some kind, or hurt me, though that my be a rather situation question.</p>