<p>Hello,
I'm a high school senior and I've decided to go to Tulane. I've always wanted to be a doctor, but computers and IT have also always been an interest of mine. The problem is Tulane does not offer a computer science major, so I was wondering if it is inadvisable for a premed student to major in computer science due to the harsh effect on GPA (if it is I'll probably major in linguistics or BME at Tulane). Since I really want to major in computer science I realize I would have to transfer (hopefully next year). Would it be far too difficult for a premed student to transfer to a college pursuing a CS major from a college that did not offer it (although I guess I could go to LSU, major in CS, and then transfer)?</p>
<p>Here are the colleges I am considering transferring to:
1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne
2. University of Michigan Ann-Arbor
3. University of Maryland College-Park
4. College of William and Mary
5. Emory University (somewhat unlikely for me)
6. Johns Hopkins University (very unlikely for me)</p>
<p>I know this is very convoluted, but thanks for any help.</p>
<p>I am confused. Are you saying you didn’t realize Tulane did not have a CS major until it was too late? Or that it is the best school you got into and you are hoping to transfer? Because I have to tell you that you can do very well in your year at Tulane and still might not get into some of those schools as a transfer, although I do suspect you could get into at least a couple of them. In any case, I would wait until you have completed at least a semester at Tulane and see how you feel then. It is like you are going in already “throwing in the towel”, so to speak. I would also suggest that you speak with Dean Altiero of the School of Science and Engineering as soon as possible upon getting to Tulane, sooner if you live close to New Orleans (it seems that you might live in Louisiana since you mentioned LSU). He could advise you on different paths you could take that involve a lot of CS. Even though they eliminated the major, it isn’t like there are not a lot of professors still in the field at Tulane and CS activities that go on all the time in conjunction with other majors.</p>
<p>If after a semester you are not satisfied, then come back on here and see what people think. But this seems way premature.</p>
<p>Computer Science will require tons of time in computer lab. Pre-med requirements will take even much more time. Looks like you are not going to be sleeping. keep in mind that your college GPA has to be very high (preferrably over 3.5) to have any chance at any American Med. school. </p>
<p>I am IT profewssional who has been in a field for about 30 years. I started at CC and I have to tell you that I was in computer lab until midnights many many days completing homework assignments. It got easier after I started working, got experience and went back to school, which my various employers paid for all the way thru MBA. However, I witnessed many struggling at any level. It was easy for me since I was proffessional at this point.
In regard to pre-med. My D. is pre-med, will be senior next year. Amount of time that she spends on her classes to make sure her GPA stays very high is probably even much more than i have spent in my computer science. She does have 2 minors. But they are easy for her and provide some relaxation, which actually is helping. D. is not at elite college either.</p>
<p>Unless you feel that you are brilliant person who needs about 2-3 hours of sleep, i would not advise to combine computer Science and Pre-med. However, you are the only one who can assess your personal abilities.</p>