5 year dual degree versus 4 year joint major

<p>I am currently enrolled in the NYU 3-2 dual degree program, in which you complete 3 years at NYU and 2 years at Stevens, ultimately graduating with a B.S in computer science from NYU and a B.E. in computer engineering from Stevens. I was wondering if for someone that wants to go to graduate school, it would be more optimal to perhaps take a 4 year computer science/economics joint major and not miss that year of graduate school plus pay a year more of tuition? (assuming I want to get a master's in either computer engineering or software engineering in a school other than NYU)</p>

<p>Sorry, I don’t have your answer… but sould someone answer this because I’m wondering about the same thing. Are the 3+2 programs any good? Mine would have a BA in Engineering Science and BS in Chemical Engineering.</p>

<p>I don’t know for sure, but I can tell you that everybody I know who wanted to go to grad school was able to do so with a 4-year BS. Maybe finances will be a determining factor for you.</p>

<p>You could inquire at a couple of grad schools as to the relative value of the two routes. Of course, anybody you ask at the NYU/Stevens program will favor the 3+2 program so ask the question outside of that program.</p>

<p>To Salve: I’m sure they are good, but one disadvantage is that you will not take any actual engineering classes until your 4th year, which is pretty late to find out if you don’t like engineering. Also, you might not want to leave your friends for your “senior” year.</p>

<p>If you have enough credits coming in to be able to finish in 4 years, do they allow this?</p>

<p>3+2 programs just mean you spend 1 yr extra and more money to get more liberal arts courses. It’s hard to say whether it’s worth it or not. You will be using the chemE degree to get jobs that ask for chemE. The BA in engineering science doesn’t really add anything. If you are going to do 3+2, why not get your BA in something a bit more different like economics?</p>

<p>I have to get a BA in Engineering Science, but I’m going to talk to the college and see if maybe I can change that… But I mean with AP credit and other credit I would probably be able to finish the 5 year program in 4.</p>

<p>If you could do the first three years in two, I think it would probably be permitted; however, I agree with Sam Lee that the additional bachelors degree (especially BA in Engineering Science) won’t add a lot to your resume. </p>

<p>As I understand it, your choices are (1) BA Engr Sci + BS Comp Engr = 5 years, or (2) BS Comp Sci & Econ = 4 years. This is only my opinion, but here it is. If you can do option 2 and then use that 5th year for a masters degree, it might be more valuable than two bachelors degrees. You might even be able to get into a masters of engineering program with a non-engineering undergrad degree. If you do not want to go to grad school, option 1 with a BS Comp Engr will probably provide you with more job opportunities.</p>

<p>And finally, if it isn’t too much of an assumption, the best route might be option (3): to get the BA engr Sci + BS Comp Engr in two years if you have that much AP credit, and then get your masters in comp engr.</p>

<p>What is the job market like for computer engineering (I’m assuming hardware?) vs computer science (I’m assuming software?)</p>

<p>No, no… it would be BA Engr Sci + BS Chem Engr. NOT Comp Engr… sorry.</p>

<p>Salve,</p>

<p>A lot of engineers switch to business. In many top MBA programs, as many as 1/3 of them were engineering majors. For whatever reason, a lot of engineers don’t stay in engineering. In this scenario, a BA in econ is therefore particularly more valuable than a BA in eng sci, which by itself doesn’t really add anything to BS in chemE. Besides, you’d get a boarder education.</p>

<p>Yes, Sam Lee, I know. The program though does not let you pick the two degrees you want, it is BA in Engineering Science + some engineering degree. So a BA in engineering science is REQUIRED. That is why I am going to talk to the college and see if maybe I can get something else instead of the engineering science degree because many say it is pointless.</p>

<p>Oh, this 3+2 dilemma. How many colleges have we looked at that we really love, the campus, the atmosphere, the professors, the size, the location, and no engineering program. Son has glossed over so many colleges that would love to have him because of this hurdle. I don’t blame him for wanting the full college experience of spending all four years in one place, but with the competitiveness for admission into engineering schools, it is a very tempting option to explore.</p>

<p>im doing the 3-2 Engineering program but with Fordham and Columbia, one has to be really sure one wants to do engineering, and also be really determined. The program is tough, at least for me. Also leaving my friends is not a concern the schools are both in NYC.</p>

<p>That’s a great combination. Fordham is a great school. We have many friends who attend/will attend there, and love it. Others have visited Columbia and loved it, and wish they could afford to go there. Are you guaranteed admission to Columbia’s engineering program? I’m sure there must be some requirements. What an awesome program! You’re getting the benefit of both a Jesuit education and an Ivy education. Good luck!</p>

<p>I don’t exactly understand these 3-2 programs. For example, is admissions to Columbia guaranteed as long as you have certain grades at Fordham? Wouldn’t that make these programs appeal to many moer students who would otherwise not be able to be accepted into Columbia?</p>

<p>Agreed. I have seen many schools offer a 3+2 program in conjunction with such selective schools as Columbia, Wash U, Vanderbilt. Would seem that many people would go to these less selective schools, where they could probably get good scholarships, then go on to the more expensive school for the last two years. Our local Jesuit college has a more realistic program. Get a degree in physics from Loyola, and get your engineering degree from UNO, a less selective, local, commuter college. Hard to believe that you can actually get a degree from Columbia for just going there for two years, but I guess it’s on the same playing field as transfer students. Back when I was in college, you could take many courses from other colleges, for example, during the summer, but your final 30 hours of your degree had to be taken at the institution awarding your diploma. Only time I know of this being waived was during Katrina, when my nephew finished his last semester in the Fall of 2005, at another institution, but still was awarded his Tulane degree in December of that year.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any personal insight on these programs?</p>

<p>I was looking for some good schools that offer 5 year for BS/MS. The BS can be anything related to engineering, but preferably EE or ME. Then MS has to be either Material Science or Material Science and Engineering. So far, I’ve found UCSB’s 5 year program, I was wondering if there were anymore out there similar?</p>

<p>Many schools have 5 year BS/MS programs. Use Google to search. The first page gave me Berkeley, UCSD, Georgia Tech, NYU-Poly, WPI, Case, Rochester, Maryland, Colorado School of Mines, CMU</p>

<p>You’re usually not restricted in MS major, though. BS Chemical Engineering + MS Chemical engineering is possible, for example.</p>