Carnegie Mellon CS - Worried About Experience

Hi, I was recently accepted into the CMU Computer Science program and I’m really worried about the lack of experience I have. From what I’ve heard, most CS students start at CMU already having extensive knowledge about programming, etc. I have almost none, barring the little bit of Python I’ve been learning on my own time and what I’ve picked up from Robotics (where I’m in mechanical). Does the school accommodate for beginners with intro classes and such or do they really expect everyone to come in with a lot of prior knowledge?

A guidance counselor at my kid’s school once said that admissions departments won’t accept students unless they are confident they can do the work. But if you are concerned,contact the CS department at CMU and ask.

Hey I survived a brutal first computer science class at MIT with little backgrond. You will survive yours at CMU. You should care more what you’ll know at the end than what you’ll know at the beginning. They wouldn’t have accepted you if they didn’t think you can do it. Congrats.

Thanks for the reassurances and advice, everyone!

If you’re worried, take a coding course on Coursera (there are some good Python courses) between now and the Fall, so that you’ll feel a bit more confident when you start.

@happy1 The data shows that 6 years graduation for CMU is about 88%, while other schools is much higher – close to 95 to 98%. So, obviously there is more people dropping out from CMU.

Granted that some of them may be dropping out because they may be starting the next Google or Facebook. However, It would appear to me that CMU is willing to take more risks in someone with greater raw intellectual power (but not all the “curing-cancer” abilities as in other top schools). This is not necessarily a bad thing, IMHO

Maybe this is is on purpose? It seems Andrew Carnegie got this huge break from Thomas Scott while he was quite young. Maybe CMU looks for someone not only smart, but also willing to work really really really really hard – and this may be a good school for people like me who are not “in-the-know” of the top college admission process (too late in the game to win…) , but willing to break my bones to study with top faculty and students – if I can get a real chance.

DS is a junior at SCS. I have attended several presentations by SCS faculty during family weekends. I believe we were told that as much as one third of the class comes in without programming experience. What is vital is outstanding math ability. Good luck!

The number they were promoting last year was nearly 40% incoming with no programming experience.

There is a modified course schedule for Freshman without coding experience, but you will be on the same track as everyone else after your 2nd semester.

Is anyone who got accepted to CMU planning on not going? (specifically SCS?)

I’m sure there will be a few; for example, I was accepted to Dartmouth so right now I’m still trying to decide where to go.

Did you get into CMU for CS?

yep!

Ohh very nice. Even Datrmouth is a great school. Do you mind sharing your stats?

Well CMU is easily the hardest CS school in US. In fact, it is harder than MIT and Caltech. In addition, MIT is general admission, not direct admission to CS program, so you can’t really compare MIT experience with CMU’s. Ultimately, deciding between Dartmouth and CMU determine on several factors:

  1. Financial aid? Unless your family are rich, Dartmouth would offer you more money.
  2. Academia or Industry? If you are not planning on going to grad school, CMU Is definitely a much better deal. Since their undergraduate degree would worth a lot more than Dartmouth. If you are going to grad school, the degree for undergraduate isn't really relevant later in life, and your GPA will suffer in CMU, which leads to worst grad school.
  3. How devoted are you to CS? Dartmouth sucks in CS. If you what to be an expert in CS, CMU is definitely the place. However, in terms of general education, Dartmouth would educate you better and provide you with a better foundations overall.
  4. Prestige? Dartmouth is ivy, but CMU is like MIT in the CS field.
  5. How much free time? If you want to spend majority of your time studying for classes, CMU is the place. The class work will eat like majority of your hours. Dartmouth classes are nicer and more lenient.

In summary, as long as you put in the hard work, anywhere you go will be fine. You shouldn’t worry about it.

@idkName Thank you for the detailed advice! This really helped me lay out my options and relax on the whole college front, haha. I will carefully consider what you said - waiting for college visits to help cement my decision.

@KevinToliver Sorry, I didn’t see your reply at first! If you’re talking about grade/testing stats, I received all A’s except for one semester B, graduated top of my class (though I tied with nine other people haha), and miraculously scored a 2390 on the SAT. I took a bunch of AP tests and got almost all 5’s (plus one 4). It doesn’t count for quite as much when you’re Chinese, though. I hope that’s what you’re looking for?

@mercurians Thanks haha! Yeah that’s what I was looking for. My friend is going to Dartmouth, maybe he’ll see you there!

OP. If you have a kindle, buy the book, “Kicking Butt in Computer Science” by Carol Frieze et al

It is new, and all about CS at Carnegie Mellon.