Am I smart enough to do computer science/engineering?!

College Majors Math/Computer Science Majors
1

I am a high school senior right, applying to different colleges and I’ve been considering the CS major since 9th grade. It’s my dream to be able to work with software and robotics etc to make the world a better place. I’ve taken 2 programming classes in Java and have in internship with graph theory and java, and while at some times it’s been challenging, I feel like maybe if I work at it, I can be good enough. But i’m worried academically and socially…

Academically

I’ve always been decent at math. I am a senior right now in Calculus BC, and on the AP exam for AB, I scored a 4. But I’m just really really scared that I’m not going to be able to handle it. How smart do you have to be really? I got a 33 on my ACT math and a 750 on the SAT 2 for Math 2. Will I be in over my head? Is there support to help you?

Programming wise, my teacher hasn’t been the greatest and I’ve self taught half the course. I took comp sci 1 and 2, and this year I was going to take comp sci 3 AP, but it was the same period as Calc BC, so I had to choose. To make up for that I have an internship in java and graphs at a research facility, and I hope that a year from the class won’t be a big detriment. I can practice online too. Also, codeacademy has helped me learn HTML, which I also really like. I want to do big things and be able to major in CS, but looking at really complicated code makes my head hurt and I worried that I won’t have enough experience to come into a major that so many people are already so advanced in.

Science wise, I’ve been pretty decent too. I’ve taken bio chem and physics. I’m in my second year of physics, last year I took AP mechanics, this year im taking AP electricity and magnetism. However, both physics classes have been a little struggle for me, I managed to pull A’s in mechanics, but bombed the AP exam with a 2 and I am considering computer engineering because of robotics, but if I’m not good at physics, is this hopeless? I’m going to try really hard at physics to get better this year.

I really want to attend UMDCP or maybe even Northwestern or Brown

Socially

I am a white girl and an athlete, and already I’ve experienced some stereotyping in my math/cs classes and at my internship. I feel like people are never going to take me seriously which has already affected my mindset. Yes, sometimes I like to get dressed up, I like to wear makeup, and etc, but I don’t want people to look down on me, especially since i will probably be a minority in the classes. Im worried I won’t have a support system.

Do I have a chance at being successful?

2

It’s not all that hard. You should be fine and your mindset is holding you back more than any actual lack of ability. In truth, it doesn’t take a whole lot to become good at programming or CS - a strong foundation in math is important, and that’s about it. You’ve already shown that you have the ability to program, which is more than most CS majors start off (or even finish) with.

You’ll be fine. Stop undervaluing your own ability.

3

At NU, you very much have to be self driven. Most teachers won’t even tell you when there is homework.

4

Female CS major here. You’ll be fine.

The vast majority of CS majors are designed for those that have no experience programming. Everyone has to take intro programming, unless they have AP or dual enrollment credit. You don’t need programming experience to be a CS major. It is a bonus to have it.

I agree with what @NeoDymium said completely.

5

You are smart enough and it sound like you have the drive to succeed, which is worth more than smarts. Since you got the 2 on the AP exam you would need to retake the physics course in college. Second time around will give you better perspective since you know where the class is going.

Never let a failed test (or low score) hold you back. Persevere. And don’t worry about what people think, especially about dressing up. Be you. You’ll do great!

6

CS/CE is a thing that any average human if he/she puts in the effort, he/she can get.

So yes, you can do it.
It’s only your mindset setting you back.

Look, a 33 on your ACT Math already puts you in the top percentiles in the world for your age.
If others who were able to succeed in the major and had nowhere near scores like yours, why can’t you?

Anyways, again: don’t let scores set you back.
And in general, courses in like CE and CS are going to be VERY brain hurting at times. This is completely normal.
However, that only means that you just have to put more work in it to understand. Please don’t correlate with this with workload being impossible.

I know this is a horrible example but…
Look, I’m in college. I can’t understand basic topology for my life (btw I’m a CS major who knows more math than CS so ya… weird situation)
Everytime I see those complicated theorems, formulas, etc, my brains hurt and I feel like I will never get it. I spend hours staring while I feel like everyone else gets it.
Guess what. Probably, I am right. Maybe everyone does get it. But there is a reason why I still try.
Because I know I’m not concentrating enough deep inside. Because I know (and believe) that I have no limits. (don’t forget mindset molds you)
I know that I should be getting help. I know I can do it. Why? Because I believe I can.

Anyways, if it makes you feel better, it took me… hmm
Half a year to even understand what “x” is in Pre-Algebra even though I always used like a “?” symbol to solve problems. Didn’t click that my idea of “?” = “x” (not modern algebra for those pesky math majors out there :P).

2 and half months to get vectors in physics. 1 and quarter of month in my pure math to actually understand the definition of vectors.
<and if="" it="" helps,="" that="" 1="" and="" quarter="" of="" month="" includes="" 3="" lectures="" a="" week,="" 2="" hours="" outside="" help="" from="" professor,="" 30="" min="" with="" my="" friend,="" 4~6="" day="" or="" two="" reading="" the="" same="" exact="" sentence.="" yes,="" i="" have="" stayed="" up="" until="" 5="" am="" to="" get="" such="" simple="" concept="" like="" vectors.="" hilarious="" right?="" friends="" call="" me="" math="" freak="" hahahahaha.="" even="" talented="" students="" try.="">
Yes, for most people, vectors are something that click in like 10 seconds. I couldn’t. Guess what, right now, I am far ahead in math than almost everyone in the globe. Why? Because I just keep going. Sometimes, you just have to believe you can. Because at the end, I believe there is bound to be some end and hey, if you never give up, there is never a possibility within a (computer) loop for there to be a “didn’t get” as… if you are in a mindset of:

do a loop while I get the material{
-> Keep reading the same sentences
-> Keep using the web for help
-> Keep asking peers, professors
-> Keep trying
}

The loop will end either with me getting the material OR me keep trying to get the material until I get it. It will never end with “I will never get it”. And plus, how do you know you don’t have the thing to succeed? How do you know your own potential?

And also, don’t forget, talent is what you have naturally.
I am very talented in math. I was able to do Calculus 1 and 2 all in 1 day in 9th grade and I even skipped a year!
However, talent gets you nowhere in life at a certain point.
It’s your skills at the end that really carry you. And skills are gotten only through sheer hardwork.

So if you have passion to try CE/CS, don’t be afraid. GO TRY! And if things get hard, just remind yourself, it’s possible.
It’s possible you can do it. It’s possible you can be the very best. It’s possible that you can surpass what you placed your own limitations to be. :slight_smile:
~Go have a victory cookie for reading this unnecessarily long post :stuck_out_tongue:

7

@AccCreate Wow this was actually really inspirational haha thank you