Chance a Computer Science major without any computer science classes

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
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<p>Hey all! I would really appreciate your input. My son is a rising senior and will be applying to UT Austin's Computer Science program in the fall . He is pretty strong academically (though sadly not top 7%) but I'm concerned that not having taken an AP Computer Science class (which are available at his HS), or having any Comp Sci type of activities on his transcript will count against him. The truth is he only recently decided that this is what he wants to major in.
Here are his stats:
SAT-2200 -first sitting (taking again in June)
Class rank top 8% at a VERY competitive TX school
GPA is 3.87 (UW),
He's been in Marching Band all through HS and is in both marching and a competition band
He's been in Chess Club and the Science all through HS as well
He's a member of a few NHS, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Hispanic Scholar, National Merit Commended
He has also taken every class pre AP/AP level.
He has no leadership roles and decent volunteer hours.</p>

<p>Thanks so much. We'd really appreciate your comments.</p>

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<p>Hello! I applied to both the Comp sci programs and Business programs at UT and was accepted to both. Although I chose to major in business, I will try to answer this question!</p>

<p>I live in Austin, so I spent a good deal of time talking to Admission Advisers up at UT. Here are the things they all kept stressing:
1.) UT is very competitive and rejects well qualified candidates every year
2.) UT looks for student match (Does the student seem like they would fit into comp sci?)
3.) Have Extra Curricular activities in multiple things, but really be great in some of them</p>

<p>So, with this being said, does not taking comp sci hurt your son, yes. Does he still have a chance, yes.</p>

<p>Also, it is important to remember that he is applying to a top 10 comp sci program in the nation, 80% get a letter saying they will not be doing UT computer science every year.</p>

<p>In order to better his chances at admission, #1, he needs to make himself ‘match’ comp sci. </p>

<p>Whenever I applied to comp sci, I had a large chunk of my resume dedicated to comp sci stuff. For example, I created windows phone apps, and received over 250 thousand impressions (10k downloads). Also, I was the founder/president of the software development club up at my high school and created software that got over 5k downloads, and donated the money from the software to charity. This showed UT I was a match for comp sci. </p>

<p>Try and have your son do something related to programming. Make a club - and do something with it - and do individual programming on the side. I have been programming since I was twelve, and love it, so I had a jump start with the learning gap.</p>

<p>If your son can do something related to comp sci, DO IT, and I think he is in. </p>

<p>Beef up your resume to scream Computer Science, write your essays that somehow relate (even just a little) to comp sci - but don’t make it too blunt. </p>

<p>Best of luck and let me know if you have any questions!</p>

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<p>Wow, thank you for your generous and very comprehensive response. I hear exactly what you’re saying and it’s kind of what I was afraid of. I know that he will be competing with kids who discovered Comp Sci long before him and have impressive credentials such as yours. Seems the objective of the summer will be to build that Comp. Sci resume! We live in the Dallas area so there should be something around for him to get involved with. Thank you again. I will definitely share your response with him. </p>

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<p>It’s probably not a good idea for him to just rush into computer science without taking any classes or having at least a little programming experience. A lot of people end up switching majors because they find out that computer science isn’t just computers. I can not tell you how many people I’ve heard say “I love computers so I would love computer science” which is the wrong attitude to have. Is there a reason he hasn’t taken an interest in computer science yet?</p>

<p>Other than that though I would say he has a good shot. Also, if he ends up getting rejected, he will likely get into at least UGS or some other major. CS is really easy to transfer into. All you need is at least one semester at UT and at least a 2.5 GPA (I know this because I’m transferring into CS next semester).</p>

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<p>Thanks jpgarcia. It is great to hear from a current student. I should clarify that he has taken a programming class sophomore year, which he excelled in. The teacher recommended he consider comp. sci. in the future as he had a natural aptitude for it and was always at least 2 weeks ahead of the class with his assignments. The only reason he didn’t take comp sci this year (junior year) was because he couldn’t fit it into his schedule. By the time he had scheduled his required classes and band there was no room for a class like comp sci. He will likely be able to take it senior year but of course UT only looks at your transcript through junior year, right? Also, fantastic to hear that transferring majors isn’t such a big deal. You kids are expected to have it “all figured out” much earlier than my generation was. Good to know there’s flexibility at the university. Thanks agin for you input. It was really helpful. </p>

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<p>Ut only sees your transcript through junior year, but on apply texas, you put your senior year classes. Also, I added my senior year classes to my resume to make sure UT saw what I was taking. </p>

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<p>Ahh…that makes perfect sense. Do you think his enrollment in AP comp sci senior year as well as joining the comp sci club are enough? Or are his credentials significantly lacking against the pool of candidates? Thanks again, MrDrProfessorSir.</p>

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<p>@Nancyvh, I’m going to make a suggestion in another direction. He should consider adding leadership to his resume. If he is not going to be NHS officer, none of those academic EC’s count for much in the way of time or leadership development. UT loves band kids in my experience. He really should consider trying out for section leader or some other band leadership role. He has already put in a tremendous amount of time to the Band EC. He is going into his senior year, already putting in long band hours. Even the process of “auditioning” for band leadership will develop some leadership skills and (at least at our school) required kids to get recommendations, peer reviews, write a resume and account for all their band volunteer hours, solos and ensembles, etc. He is already investing the time. Time to step up to a leadership role. </p>

<p>If he hasn’t taken the ACT, I would have him do that before investing the time taking the SAT again. Taking SAT again does not seem like the best use of his time, as his scores are very good. </p>

<p>Take a look at the computer camps and programs going on at UTD. They have a lot. Also ones sponsored by UNT - registration opens on April 15th. Sign up ON April 15th or you will not likely get a spot. These are free to Texas Middle and HS students, so take a look here </p>

<p><a href=“http://capstone.cse.unt.edu/robocamp/2014.html”>http://capstone.cse.unt.edu/robocamp/2014.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>It would, in my opinion, have been more beneficial to take it junior year so UT can see the grade. However, taking it senior year should be good enough. I find it difficult to imagine UT not admitting someone because they took comp sci their senior year, and not their junior year. I would focus big on the club/indie work. Overall I feel as though there is a solid match with UT.</p>

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<p>Also, I want to add one more thing. I would try and join or found a comp sci club this year (junior year) just to expand the resume. It makes it look as though you were involved in comp sci throughout your junior year. A loop hole… Yes… But it does help your chances!</p>

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<p>Thanks guys, these are great suggestions. Lots2do, I totally agree that he needs to add leadership to his resume. I think he is planning on applying and the band directors are pretty good about making sure they help the senior kids assume roles of leadership. So you’re right, this the time to step up. Glad to hear they recognize and appreciate the time the band kids put in. And wow, UNT is not far from our home so I will be on it 4/15 bright and early. MrDrProfessorSir-GREAT idea. I’ll suggest that to him today. The Comp Sci club is led by his former programming teacher so he should feel pretty comfortable coming in a little late considering they already have an existing relationship. Thanks again to you both. I so appreciate your constructive remarks and suggestions.</p>

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<p>You are welcome and good luck to your son! </p>