<p>"Do women get into CS simply because they are women?</p>
<p>Definitely not! And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. In fact, due to the increased number of applicants, the admission process for Computer Science has become more selective. Gender is NOT a factor in the selection process. For example, for the class of 2004, the number of female applicants actually tripled. "</p>
<p>Do females not have an advantage? This forum seems to believe otherwise.</p>
<p>I can only see myself getting in for being a girl, so I hope there's some sort of advantage.</p>
<p>There is a huge advantage. SCS is a field that has been trying to increase diversity for years, and just recently the ball has began rolling. If you have good stats, you have an excellent chance.</p>
<p>CMU has been actively trying to increase female participation in computer science for some time. Read about it in the book “Unlocking the Clubhouse: Women in Computing” by Margolis and Fisher.</p>
<p>From what I’ve observed, this is largely the case. But I have no stats or facts to back it up, although it’s pretty agreed-upon on campus that being a chick gives you a huge advantage.</p>
<p>I feel I should mention that I’m an English major taking programming for kicks, and there are several female CS majors in my basic-level course. Most males start out at 15-123, Effective Programming in C and Unix. There is quite a disparity in what the girls know compared to what the guys know.</p>
<p>I’m a female senior CS major here at CMU. I started out in the basic-level programming course cause I never took any programming classes in high school (basically starting from zero). There were quite a few girls in my CS-major only class, but there were still a handful of CS-major guys that never took any programming either…</p>
<p>That’s definitely true, but odds are those guys had nearly-perfect SAT scores and grades, or extracurriculars that would make the Crocodile Hunter gasp in shock… something to compensate for their lack of programming knowledge upon entering one of the most prestigious CS colleges in the world. Of all the female CS majors I know-- they are certainly extremely talented, bright, wonderful, and very good at what they do, and they’ve had to work very hard to beat the “curve” of kids who already know how to program. But they did have an easier time getting in to SCS than a girl would to, say, CFA, and they make this information known without hesitation.</p>
<p>There are two courses in Java equivalent to earning a 5 on AP CS AB exam.
You can place out of 15100 with a CMU placement score of 19 or higher on a 25 scale-- but would need a higher score to get out of 15111 (they renamed these course number this year…not sure what they are- -check the catalog and also in CMU home page, use the search bar for placement tests and AP exams)</p>
<p>There is no “rush” to get out of the basic Java class or even the more experienced Java class…it’s not a marathon race-- just a marathon where you are there to learn - not to rush - and even with experience, it is well worth taking the classes from outstanding faculty in an outstanding institution. </p>
<p>You will graduate on time even if you start at 15100.</p>
<p>If you’re dead set on starting at 15-123 (which is C / Unix) rather than Java, then learn a whole lot of Java and try to place out of their exam and/or self study for AP CS exam scheduled for May…but what’s your rush? You cannot take 15-123 without previous programming experience-- and the CMU placement exam.</p>
<p>FYI- there are also placement exams in math and physics to determine placement regardless of AP scores - no exceptions. Bright side, MIT and Caltech don’t give you any AP credit.</p>