<p>Hi everybody,</p>
<p>So I've been accepted to UW off the waitlist after enrolling at Seattle University. This means I have until May 29th to decide where to go. I intend to major in Computer Science, and the main concern I have is that if I go to UW, there's no guarantee I'll get to study computer science. The way I understand it, I do 2 years of general education stuff, and then I have to reapply to the Comp Sci program with no guarantee of getting in.</p>
<p>Is this true?</p>
<p>Additionally, what does the average course schedule look like for freshman year for someone who intends to major in Comp Sci? I'd know what my courses are at Seattle U and would like to compare them.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>What you’ve said is mostly true. The classes you take during your first two years are somewhat general, but they do involve taking the prerequisite classes for the CS program such as CSE 142 (AKA Computer Programming I). Other than that, yes, there’s no guarantee you’ll get into the program after two years. It’ll depend utterly on your GPA during those two years and your CS related extracurriculars. </p>
<p>It’s quite competitive since UW’s CS is ranked around 5th in the nation. The acceptance rate for the program is around 20%, I believe, you’ll have to double check that though. If you get rejected, then people usually take another less competitive CS related major or (rarely, from what I’ve heard) just transfer to another college.</p>
<p>It’s your choice. If you’re willing to work hard for 2 years in college, then you’ve got a good shot. I have a few friends who got $100k+ jobs at MS right after graduating in CS at UW, not too shabby. </p>
<p>You should decide before May 29 though since you’ll literally have last pick at housing and mandatory orientation dates for freshman (Orientation is where you sign up for classes, so the sooner orientation date equals more chance that the classes you want to take aren’t filled).</p>
<p>Ok, thanks for clearing that up. Do you know what kind of stats, etc. it takes to be admitted to the program? I see that only 20% get accepted, but if 50% of applicants have 2.0 gpas, that will make me feel a lot better.</p>
<p>If you bomb any of your prerequisites it’ll set you back somewhat. Bomb any of the prerequisite CSE courses or two prerequisites and you’re not going to have much of a chance due to how competitive the other applicants will be. You could retake those courses though.</p>
<p>This will be useful:</p>
<p><a href=“http://data.engr.washington.edu/pls/portal30/STUDENT_APPL.RPT_APPLICANT_STATISTICS_YEAR.show[/url]”>http://data.engr.washington.edu/pls/portal30/STUDENT_APPL.RPT_APPLICANT_STATISTICS_YEAR.show</a></p>
<p>Though they say that applicants who reapply are recounted, so the actual acceptance rate may be higher, but either way it’s still among the most competitive majors at the UW.</p>