Applying to UIUC CS Program–debating between CS and CS+Chemistry. I have taken AP Chemistry and received a 4 on the AP exam. Wondering if there is a greater chance if I apply to CS+Chemistry vs plain CS. In addition, if there is a difference between job opportunities between the two majors?
Will you be listing CS and Chemistry as your first and second choice of major respectively in the UIUC aplication? Will you be evaluated first for your first choice, and if not admitted to your first choice, then you will evaluated for your second choice? I am not familiar with UIUC’s application process; however, I DO know that UIUC’s Chemistry department is one of the most respected in the country.
Jobs available to a computer scientist with solid knowledge in chemistry, or a chemist with solid knowledge in computer science, are aplenty in industry and academia: computational chemistry; data analysts; drug design (especially organic chemists).
No, they have many CS+x majors that I can choose for my first option and CS+Chem (through Liberal Arts) is one of them. I am debating between putting that or selecting plain CS (through the Grainger college of Engineering). Both are options for first choice.
CS will probably have more opportunities in computing generally, but CS + chemistry may do better in specialty areas involving computing for chemistry applications.
Is it allowed to put CS (Grainger) as first and CS+x (LAS) as second choice (or vice versa) when applying? What are your second choice(s)? Do your ECs ‘cultivate’ your interests in either CS or Chemistry? Can your teachers speak strongly for your interest and accomplishments in CS or in Chemistry?
Correct me if I’m wrong. It appears to me that you don’t have an interest in chemistry. Your goal is CS. CS+X is just a means to get to your goal, perhaps more easily.
I don’t know enough about UIUC’s programs to compare their relative odds. Generally speaking, CS+X may have a somewhat lower bar for admissions, but it also admits far fewer students in each +X category. If you don’t have an advantage in the +X category (with ECs, etc.) your odds are unlikely to be any better.
Based on the criteria for changing major to CS listed at Transfer Students | Computer Science | UIUC , the selectivity level appears to be CS > math or statistics and CS > CS + X, although CS + X is still highly competitive.
It looks like the CS + X majors are a way for UIUC to allow more students to take some CS, even if the department has insufficient resources to give all of those students access to enough CS courses for a full CS major. The + X parts of the majors may serve to consume schedule space so that those students cannot take too many more CS courses than the minimum.