<p>I am planning to major in Computer Science at UW but the thing is...I haven't really done anything related to CS. I'm going to take the intro class to see if I like it or not. Is it a super competitive major and stressful?</p>
<p>Its a very good program, but very if not one of the most competitive majors at uw.</p>
<p>It’s competitive to get into. You do not need any prior experience in CS to be admitted or to even do well in CSE 142/143 (intro courses). The lack of prior experience also doesn’t hurt at all for getting internship or full time positions at companies such as Google.</p>
<p>It might be stressful before you get into major if you don’t have any backup major(s)/tracks. Whether or not it will be stressful for you after being admitted to the department … it depends on how you personally handle coursework, group projects, and other academic stuff while balancing interview schedules during the Fall and Winter if you’re looking for an internship.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the feedback. I think my backup would be Informatics. By the way, how is Info?</p>
<p>Also consider Information Systems at the Business School.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-washington/1347157-possible-cse-alternatives-uwb-css-uw-info-4.html?highlight=informatics[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-washington/1347157-possible-cse-alternatives-uwb-css-uw-info-4.html?highlight=informatics</a></p>
<p>Check out my most recent post (03-25-2013 2:27 AM).</p>
<p>UW’s CS program is right up there with Berkeley, Cornell, Princeton, and Texas.</p>
<p>Heck, it’s even marked as “competitive major” on the application.</p>
<p>Maybe this has been answered somewhere here, but with an acceptance rate of only 25% (?) for non-direct admits, what do all those students do? It can’t be just Informatics…so a lot of them transfer?</p>
<p>How many chances do you get to apply to CS/CSE as an upper classman?</p>
<p>I meant to type “do” a lot of them transfer.</p>
<p>It’s ~25% for each admissions cycle, but people apply multiple times (and you also get people who have 2.5 GPAs and apply 5 times) so the overall admissions yield is actually around 40%.</p>
<p>Some people transfer. A friend of mine recently transferred to VT. Another friend went to Michigan (CS is open major as long as you have a 2.0). Some declare Informatics, ACMS, HCDE, or EE. Some drop out, if they have the drive and ideas, and start their own company.</p>
<p>You can apply to CSE twice a year basically until you graduate. Some people are accepted as late juniors/seniors.</p>
<p>Thanks speedsolver. That puts what I read on the UW website in perspective.</p>
<p>@speedsolver</p>
<p>Where did get the statistics for admissions cycle/admissions yield from?</p>
<p>Advisors and department chair. It’s also a known approximate figure within the department. </p>
<p>I’m relatively active with CSE recruiting, open house events, etc … and this is a common question.</p>
<p>If we haven’t heard by now… we haven’t gotten in to the CS program… correct?</p>
<p>See the following link for information on engineering acceptance rates at UW
[Engineering</a> Department Admission Statistics | <a href=“http://www.engr.washington.edu%5B/url%5D”>www.engr.washington.edu](<a href=“http://www.engr.washington.edu/curr_students/admissions/admitstats.html]Engineering”>http://www.engr.washington.edu/curr_students/admissions/admitstats.html)</a></p>