So some background about me:
I am a first-year student here that is technically a sophomore. My major is Computer Science B.A. with an Italian minor. I am URM and yup, ask away things that are within my range of expertise.
MODERATOR’S NOTE: Anyone is free to ask or answer questions in this thread.
@sunshinemiracle Hello! Thanks for doing this. I plan to major in Computer Science as well, except I plan to do the B.S. route. How has your experience been with the CS classes? Also which classes would you recommend I take before I begin applying for internships?
@MaybeUNC2022
I have not gotten deep into the CS classes since I was focusing on knocking out General Education requirements. Also about B.S. route, I originally declared as Comp Sci B.S. but after doing my first ever advising appointment and finishing up the first semester along with considering what the upperclassmen Comp Sci majors were saying, I decided to opt out the B.S. route and do the B.A. route instead because now, I am much happier.
Not saying i was not happy before but B.S. route was not for me.
Honestly, I would check over the B.S. route requirements and actually look at what you would have to do and see if you can accomplish it within eight semester since here, they require everyone to finish within eight semesters.
@MaybeUNC2022 Also, the COMP 110 here was great but the only negative for it was they switched from Javascript to Typescript which is very obscure but if you have I think computer science experience (I did before coming here last year but I was not informed I could have just taken 401), it is highly recommend to take COMP 401, which is Introduction to Computer Programming and the programming language is Javascript.
And as far as internships are concerned, you could just take COMP 110 and/or COMP 401 and be good! I got two offers for internship and I did not have to apply because of doing a computer science extracurricular and also work-study, which involves me doing IT in the basement and I made a great impression on my IT director and supervisor so yup.
In your case, you maybe have to apply for internships; I do not know your situation but it just depends. At UNC, you mostly could just get an internship offer since there are vast opportunities for Comp Sci people.
But my Comp Sci pals that have gotten farther into Comp Sci major love it here, it is just sometimes you could get a bad professor and also, COMP 401 is a weed-out class since that class is rigorous - probably one of the most rigorous classes here besides PHYS 118 or Calc 233.
With the case of dealing with professors, go to https://www.ratemyprofessors.com - and I cannot stress enough how this website has been a lifesaver. Also for checking the courses here that would be available for the following semester, go to https://www.coursicle.com/unc/ !
Now keep in mind that since it is a large university that sometimes classes might not be available for you due to the demand and amount of people here. Just do your research on Comp Sci B.S. track and look at the links I have in this post and please reply either here or message me on here if you have any more questions.
I love it here as a Comp Sci major overall and there are many opportunities for us!
If classes may not be available…how do you finish in 4 years? My son is torn on where to attend. Pictured himself at Chapel Hill the past 3 years and now that it’s time to choose…he would be Comp Sci BS. As far as “bad” professors…he’s always found instructors that most dislike (in high school) to be among his favorites…
You can get classes easier as upper classman. First year was a bit difficult for my DS but after that it really was not a problem. They also offer summer school which my son did last year. He also got a job on campus for summer so housing was free. As long as you don’t fall classes and maintain at least C’s in comp classes you can definitely graduate on time. Those comp classes and math classes are very challenging in the BS degree 
@Nurse001 the summer is so short compared to a semester. They offer regular courses for the summer? With zero financial or merit aid and kid wanting his Masters, we have to watch every penny…free housing sounds good 
@ParentOf2022 There is a maymester which is 3 weeks I believe. Then they have summer 1 and summer 2. You can take 8 hours per semester. So if your son needed to catch up he can also sublease a room from someone off campus and stay 1 extra month. For the 2 classes my son took in the summer it was around $800. Don’t believe they offer CS classes (dont quote me on this) but most of the maths and electives.
@Nurse001 that is really good to know, thank-you. It’s not something we’ve looked into, as he’s still trying to pick his best school. However, summer programs will be something we check, once he makes his choice. My son has an older cousin that lives @ 15 minutes by bus from Chapel Hill. It might be possible for him to crash on his couch for a month, if needed. $800 for classes isn’t bad at all. Our biggest concern is the possibility of needing an extra course or three, for prerequisites do to the limited courses offered at local high school and that putting him behind. I don’t want him to have to over extend himself his first and/or second semester to play catch up. Getting accustomed to college in my mind, is enough.
@Nurse001 You are almost right except the only classes they offer for summer is COMP 101 or COMP 110 but nothing higher than that.
@ParentOf2022 You said your son wants to do Masters in Comp Sci? If so, then Comp Sci here has a B.S./M.S program so here it is: https://cs.unc.edu/academics/undergraduate/bs-ms/
@sunshinemiracle thanks! I’ve seen that & he is looking at both 5 year Master programs for Chapel Hill as well as State…we know college will be different than high school, but he’s always done his best and is happiest when he seems overworked…so, a 5 year versus a 6 year appeals to him more in workload as well as $$…of course he’d really love to ho from his bachelor’s into a PhD, but the $$ just won’t be feasible.
Right now we’re really looking at the General Education requirements needed and the prerequisite classes, placement exams, AP scores etc… needed to start with the general requirement, without having to take a prerequisite class in order to take the general education course. Clear as mudd
His main AP classes (5 this year) are this year with exams coming up, but scores won’t be available until July…so, in order to not goof up registrations, looking at Placement tests…which freaks him out. He does amazing at school (top of his class) but, for some reason the ACT & SAT really messed with his head. Took each one 4 times before he controlled his nerves enough to get a decent score. The knowledge was there…really wish he’d had this year’s Honors and AP instuctor, last year. His writing has gone from meh, to AMAZING! Mine sucks eggs, I’m a math girl This instructor has also really worked with the class on timed tests, as well. My son has always gotten his work done in the time allowed, but our school gives a lot of time for final exams. My son will finish and go back over it 3 times (has the time) and then turns it in at the end. Made him think he was slow and the thought lodged itself in his brain and wouldn’t budge. Making the short timed segments of the ACT & SAT scary for him.
Any thoughts on the Placement exams? My feeling is a straight ‘A’ student should at least pass with the knowledge in his head. He likes to prepare and study.
@ParentOf2022 The placement exams? I did dual enrollment so I would not know about any of them but only for foreign language. I wanted to take Italian but my high school did not offer it so I had to take Spanish but coming from a rural area, they did not prepare me enough so I did not do so hot but at least I was able to finally take Italian.
Honestly, I would not worry about placement exams. He should just do his best. I would not be so reliant on focusing on grades because here, they want you to actually know instead of doing rote memorization.
If anybody that goes to UNC currently can talk more about the placement tests, fill free to do so!
@sunshinemiracle oh, he’s a studier! LOL!!! However, he learns it. If it takes 30 minutes or 30 hours, he learns his material. He spends a lot if time tutoring his peers both at our local high school and online. He really has at gift for teaching. He’s such an academic, I can picture him as a professor down the road in his later years. He just hates to feel unprepared and is most comfortable knowing what to expect…
@ParentOf2022 All right, I am the same way! But I wish him the best; he should do well!
How’s the food?
What are the best dorms?
@sanaaged2525: Good, diverse, and plentiful.
@Vincent1997: What year student will you be entering as?