<p>You can…but looking at semester #3 and semester #5 would pretty much render you a 110% introvert with absolutely no interaction with companionship.</p>
<p>…probably will lack sleep too.</p>
<p>I would vote against it. Programming Languages and Compilers almost needs to be taken during a less-than-15 credit semester because of the time consumption. For that particular course, your schedule should be:</p>
<p>Programming Languages and Compilers
Not-So-Challenging CS course
Blow-off Non-Science/Engineering/Math course
Blow-off Non-Science/Engineering/Math course
Blow-off Non-Science/Engineering/Math course</p>
<p>You know my opinion of your schedule from your other thread (that some of your semesters have more than two high workload courses – lab courses or CS courses with programming – and may end up being excessively high workload).</p>
<p>But you do have the compiler course in the semester after the theory of computation course. This is the optimal sequencing of these two courses if you take both of them.</p>
<p>You will NOT be able to survive with a decent GPA(3.0), there you go I said it. When you take a semester like this:
5. (15 hours)
CS 242 (Programming Studio)- 3 hours
CS 421(Programming Languages and Compilers)- 3 hours
CS 473 (Fundamental Algorithms)- 3 hours
CS 427 (Software Engineering I)- 3 hours
CS 461(Computer Security I)- 3 hours (opt)</p>
<p>It’s no wonder why suicide rates are so high at universities. If those courses are on par as to our CSE308, CSE304, CSE373, CSE408, CSE219, then that is downright suicide.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with the others. This workload is too much. 7 semesters is perhaps doable, but certainly not 6.</p>
<p>But let’s consider a couple other things. As a CS major from a well-reputed CS school, you will likely be able to secure one or two really good internships if you prepare well for interviews. Each of these internships could pay up to $15-20k. After you graduate, you will also likely end up with a high-paying job (let’s say at least $90k). Do these factors make a difference at all?</p>
<p>(This is all assuming that you are a capable student/interviewee and that the job market for CS remains at least as good as it is right now.)</p>
<p>Okay, thanks for the input everyone! You’ve all been very helpful. I guess I’ll try to aim for 7 semesters then…</p>
<p>Would it be better for me to spend 1 or 2 years in an in-state school and then transfer to UIUC? If I got in freshman admissions, should I be able to get in as a transfer?</p>
<p>@sumzup 15-20k for an internship…? O.O Hmm I guess those factors do help… I just feel like I’m relying on a lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’. :(</p>
<p>Financially, that would definitely be better. If you kept up your performance at said in-state school, I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to get in as a transfer. This is something you should probably contact UIUC about, though.</p>
<p>Are you sure there’s no financial aid available?</p>
<p>I think you can be pretty confident internship-wise. I’m speaking from experience here (I’m a CS major at a school where the CS situation is similar to that of UIUC)…I know tons of people with internships like that.</p>
<p>Adding summer school would help ease the pressure. Also would be nice if you had some AP credits transferring in. </p>
<p>Your exposure is in your CS sequence. If you have to retake anything, 3 years becomes very challenging. </p>
<p>But…if you can do it you get a huge financial advantage. Instead of college expense your 4th year you enter the job market. You go from money going out to money comming in. GL.</p>
<p>Transfer admissions is mainly based on college courses and grades.</p>
<p>Which schools are your in-state schools? Also, your other posts indicate that you have other options like Purdue and Minnesota whose out-of-state costs are less than that of UIUC, but still have very respectable CS degree programs.</p>
<p>@sumzup: UIUC is not known for their generous scholarships and financial aid packages… I think it’s safe to assume I won’t get anything. I know a lot of people who are more qualified than me who didn’t get anything.</p>
<p>@mitchkong: I have (if I get 4’s on the AP tests this year) 18 credits from AP. That’s what I’m hoping for. Thanks!</p>
<p>@ucbalamnus: Mizzou and Missouri S&T. Yup those are other options too… so many options… >.<</p>
<p>@ucbalamnus: 8 semesters at Mizzou, Missouri S&T, University of Minnesota, and Baylor. 7 semesters at Purdue and University of Pittsburgh, and 6 semesters at UIUC. </p>
<p>I could probably afford another semester at Purdue, Pitt, and UIUC, but I’m not sure how “comfortable” that would be.</p>
<p>UIUC would be a relatively high risk choice, since you do not know now how well you can handle the schedule needed to graduate in 6 semesters. The added risk is that of running out of money short of graduation if you need to back off on the course load.</p>
You’ve all been very helpful. I guess I’ll try to aim for 7 semesters then…</p>
I know a lot of people who are more qualified than me who didn’t get anything.</p>