Is anybody else facing the same problem (Coalition App)?
If,
- First choice Computer Science (Engineering)
Both of the below options are not available as second choice
Computer Science and Stat (LAS) or Computer Science and Math (LAS)
Help please!
Sorry I can’t answer about the application issue. I will comment that CS+X is also very competitive, though presumably not quite as difficult for admissions as CS Engineering. Especially if UIUC is your first choice school regardless, you may want to consider a less competitive major as your second choice. Perhaps Computer Engineering if you have GPA/ACT near the top of the mid 50 percent for engineering, or perhaps LAS Math, Stats or Systems Engineering if your stats are in the bottom half. If UIUC is an option only if you get a CS major, then it doesn’t matter of course. Please let others know if you find out about the application issue!
The website notes that you cannot pick CS+X as a second choice (no reason provided though)
The Math and CS (or Stat and CS) - both at LAS are not same category as CS+X. They are listed separately too, and hence math appears before CS.
I agree that they are competitive (although lesser than CS Eng)
That is the whole point of Choice #2, if you are not able to get into super competitive Choice #1, try to get into little less competitive Choice#2. However that is not provided as an option in coalition app.
I don’t know for sure, so hopefully someone else will jump in, but perhaps the school knows that applicants that they reject from CS engineering also wont have the stats for CS and stats/CS and math. Usually the point of picking a second major is to the give the school an opportunity to admit you.
My daughter never put down an option 2 when she applied to UMD CP. She knew if she didn’t get into her major, she wouldn’t go there.
You cannot apply for any computer science major as a second choice regardless of what your first choice is. As stated on the site:
"Are all majors available as a second choice?
“No, not all majors are available due to space constraints. Majors unavailable as a second choice include Bioengineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science (including all Computer Science + X majors), First-Year Engineering: Undeclared, Mechanical Engineering,…”
See https://admissions.illinois.edu/FAQ/applicant-freshman#second-choice-major and thern open “Are all majors avaialble as second choice?”
That rule is new this year in relation to computer science. And it applies to any computer science major, inlcuding all Coumputer Science and X majors and math and CS and statistices and CS.
Thanks. It makes sense. Just that Math/CS, Stat/CS is not listed explicity as not available as second major.
But seems like Comp Sci or any variation of it, is not allowed.
Thanks for the input.
If you have great stats and UIUC is among your favorite options, also consider EE (or CompE). They are great degrees and it’s a top 5 program and somewhat less competitive than any of the CS majors. LAS Math/Stats and Systems Engineering are definitely going to be less competitive than most other engineering or CS majors.
Plus, though very difficult, it is possible to transfer into a CS degree if you have great grades and make some connections with profs and such. My son’s friend was able to transfer in after his freshman year from Engineering Undeclared. I think he had straight As and managed to get a seat in a couple CS classes too.
@illinoisx3 great advice. Thanks - I bet those also won’t be available as 2nd choice. Undeclared is.
Having attended a tour and info session at the Cs program at UIUC recently, I can tell you that the reason they do not let you select CS or CS+ as a second choice major is they simply do not have the space for all the people who want this as your first choice major. This is straight from the mouth of an admissions officer for the CS program. You are better to select anything as your second choice than either of the CS options.
As for transferring, this was also covered. A student had been admitted to ME and wanted to do CS. He had perfect ACT scores etc etc but she told him point blank we except virtually NO transfers into CS each year. Do NOT assume you can transfer in.
Additionally, taking CS classes as a non CS major was very uncertain. There are too many students and not enough sessions for majors. It was very clear to us that unless you are a CS major freshman admit your chances of CS classes at UIUC is slim to none.