Actually, this generalization may be less true than commonly assumed on these forums. Intended major may affect what division one applies to (e.g. College of Arts and Science versus College of Engineering), which may result in different admission selectivity. Even some of the most selective private schools (Penn, Columbia, Cornell) have admission by division or major, as do many public universities (including flagships).
Also be aware of schools where you are admitted as an undeclared student, but your intended major requires a high college GPA or competitive admission to declare later.
@AccCreate@dodosol@ucbalumnus@MYOS1634 If I’m “okay” at math, but I’d like to do programming and computer related work in college what majors would you suggest… I do really want to get into VR and Robotics, but im guessing theres no majors like that… i dont find theoretical mathematics too exciting… I heard somethings about Software Engineering?
Have you considered Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering? Or perhaps a mix with CS, such as a combined CS/CE program.
Generally, being “okay” at math is more than enough for most CS work if you go towards the practical side. It sounds like being near CS is the right option, and while SE would avoid some math, I think there are greater benefits of a CS degree still in this case. A CS/CE combo would help with the robotics interest.
First, I would like to state that I do attend one of these schools. And yes, many schools actually divide the engineering department with the rest.
However, Computer Science enjoys an enviable position in most schools as it is available in both the non-engineering department and the engineering department. Also, from my limited experience (and many of my peers), the engineering admission does not seem to stress specific courses to have an advantage in the admissions itself. As long as the student is solid in either mathematics, biology, physics or chemistry (largely mathematics or physics though), it seems the student should not have to worry about admissions into even the most selective private schools. An overall solid student with some hint of excelling in the sciences seem necessary but not much more after (though generally, extracurricular would also align more with the sciences on top).
VR is part of Computer Science. If you opt for Computer Science, you will learn about VR if you decide you want to.
As of robotics, it depends on which robotics side you are into. If you are into programming the robots and playing around with them, then yes, Computer Science is the way to go. After all, how else would you make a robot utilize its degree of freedoms without programming the robot itself?
If you are largely interested in “making” the robots, then Computer Engineering could be for you. However, do note that robotics is largely interdisciplinary and more than likely, many of the majors: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science would also take part in building the robot if necessary.
That said, if you are wondering, Robotics is usually grouped in the AI department (or the robotics department) like this: https://www.csail.mit.edu/
As you can see, it is in the Computer Science department.
And virtual reality itself (VR), is already a field in Computer Science.
Hence, if you are interested with those two fields, then Computer Science will most likely be the field for you (you can always decide later during college).
That said, although I do understand you struggle at math and many Computer Science topics don’t require much of higher math, if you are interested in the above, the bare minimum I feel is (at least by the time you graduate college): Calc 1, 2, 3, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations.
If you are fine with doing math up until there, then you really should not worry. The only reason to take Modern Algebra, Real Analysis, Abstract Topology, etc. is if you are interested in theory side of Computer Science which I do not take it for from your post.
Just do your best in your math courses and don’t be stressed out.