CAMS-Applied Stats vs. CS

Which program is stronger and more rigorous (harder) at WM? I really like the atmosphere of WM (I loved Williamsburg!), so that is why I’m considering CS here than at UVA (the atmosphere didn’t attract me there). Thanks.

My daughter just declared a CAMS major and is very excited about it. I don’t think you need to think about what is more rigorous, as much as, what interests you? She is actually double majoring in CAMS and Econ.

Two notes: Apparently many pre-med students are CAMS majors.

Also, W&M has a couple of one-year computer masters degrees for which the students start taking the graduate classes as undergraduates, so they count for graduation as well as the masters degree. Worth looking at.

For others reading this: CAMS is an interdisciplinary major, Computational and Applied Mathematics and Statistics.

I am equally interested in both subjects, but I don’t want to risk my GPA studying something harder. Applied Math and CS as subjects are both cool, but I’m feeling that CAMS is a bit more interdisciplinary. Which leads to better jobs and higher pay (both are STEM and I bet they pay well, but which one is marginally better)? Thanks.

Also, are WM academics tougher or easier than UVA? I’ve heard that WM deflates grades more than UVA.

Other than that, is CS or Business Admin (Business Analytics) at Mason business school a stronger program at WM with better jobs? Analytics is also nice to study. I’m actually applying to CMDA at VA Tech!

You don’t need or even want to choose your major yet! Just keep things on the horizon.

W&M students complain of grade deflation, but I have read that average GPAs are comparable to UVa’s. W&M students are very studious, definitely more so than UVa students, though their admissions stats are very similar.

Mason and W&M and UVa and Tech are completely different schools. Figure out where you would be most comfortable. Aren’t we Virginians lucky to have such a range of in-state options?

I’m not talking about GMU (I’m ONLY thinking George Mason for Cyber)! I’m talking about the WM Raymond A. Mason Business School. Is Business Analytics or CS a stronger program at WM?

I was also considering JMU COB for Computer Info Systems at one point, but they’re at #250ish based on Niche (relatively low). I also don’t care for the party scene there.

Also, is CS known to be one of the more rigorous and very hard programs at WM? I enjoyed AP CS A (and got a 5 on the exam), but if WM CS is completely theory-heavy (with little coding or practical-ness), I’m sticking with Tech (which has more coding) or another good Software Eng program (like at Cal Poly SLO). I really like WMs atmosphere though. I seriously do.

Not so fun fact for my parents, WM in-state costs more than Cal Poly SLO OOS tuition! It doesn’t matter though, for my parents saved up $65k per year on my college fund. I could easily do one of the 1 year MSc’s that you mentioned.

Well, my CAMS daughter does not hold the B-school in high esteem, but I am sure that’s prejudice.

As I recall, UVa’s Commerce school is a little higher-ranked than W&M’s B-school. In both cases you apply after you are already attending.

I heard RA Mason is the best undergrad business school that u can enroll into from HS (McIntyre requires u to be a UVA sophmore).

Also, what about the theoriness or practialness of WM CS? Does it have more coding or theoretical stuff? I personally dislike theory, but I know a basic (emphasis on BASIC) knowledge of it is necessary in the computing world.

You have some great questions to ask when you visit. Definitely try to talk to students in those majors.

As for the B-school, no, you don’t apply straight from high school:

“Students must apply directly to the School of Business if they wish to major or minor in a business discipline; this application process typically begins during the second semester of a student’s sophomore year due to the prerequisites required within the program.”

Whoops… Anyways, I prefer the VA Tech Pamplin (their B-school) BIT-DSS program due to the CS in it. Knowing some computing skills, I believe, is helpful for industry. WM has a CS minor, but none of the Mason school majors themselves contain any coding.