Current student answering questions (round 2)

<p>@JZMOM If money is a big issue and if he’s been to campus before, then I think it’s better to wait until next year. However, admitted student events are a great opportunity to take a sneak peek at college and at your peers and just have fun. (The only difference between April and summer program is that he’ll see the rest of the CMU community that wasn’t present in the summer) True, he can attend some classes, but in the middle of April, most professors are just continuing previous topics and I’m not sure if he would get as much out of a single lecture as he wants, but there are certain courses which are worth observing. If he decides to come I can suggest a list of a few. Though I think there should be classes and special events planned for the admits that are specifically aimed at introducing them to academics and such.</p>

<p>@catsarecats You can’t just declare your major as MCS and get placed there, but you can definitely talk to your advisor and he/she will walk you through the steps of transferring to MCS. Trust me, he/she will not say “no, you can’t”</p>

<p>I’m admitted for MCS Physics, and waitlisted for CIT (anything but ECE). I’m fairly certain I want to do science or engineering, but undecided within. I foolishly applied to ECE instead of undecided engineering thinking that way I could retain the option of ECE, but that obviously didn’t work out for me. A few questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>How difficult would it be to switch into CIT? Probably Mechanical Engineering but I’m not sure. I will have a large amount of AP credits (likely 10 tests, including both Physics C’s and both Calculus). Could I take some intro to engineering classes as a physics major, to get a feel for it?</p></li>
<li><p>Do I have any chance of getting in off the waitlist, or is CMU one of those schools where getting waitlisted is just a nicer way of getting rejected?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks for your time.</p>

<p>I don’t think applying to ECE had anything to do with your waitlist at CIT: when you applied to CIT you just applied in general and were asked whether you also wanted to get considered for ECE, if I remember correctly

  1. In comparison, I think switching into CIT for anything except ECE is relatively easier than switching to CS/Tepper/ECE. You can definitely take intro courses if there is room in the class after CIT majors have filled their spots.
  2. I think getting off the waitlist as restricted CIT isn’t as hard, but I’m just judging it off the percentage of people accepted to percentage enrollment. Lots of people apply and get into CMU but don’t end up going because they get into their top schools.</p>

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<p>Considering that the programs in both CFA and SCS are extremely demanding and time-consuming, I can only imagine that working your way into both while also keeping up with the ECE courseload would be verging on the impossible. While you’re welcome to try, I certainly wouldn’t count on being able to transfer.</p>

<p>If you only want to do BCSA because you’re interested in computer graphics, then you’re probably better off staying in ECE with a CS minor or double major (and art classes on the side). As long as you take a couple CS and math prerequisites, you can get into the graphics courses ([Carnegie</a> Mellon Graphics Lab: Courses](<a href=“http://graphics.cs.cmu.edu/courses/]Carnegie”>Carnegie Mellon Computer Graphics - Courses)) just fine from ECE.</p>

<p>For JZMOM and catsarecats, I second everything Selena said. :)</p>

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<p>Since you were waitlisted for CIT and admitted for physics, you probably wouldn’t have too much trouble switching to engineering. Yes, you can and should take intro to engineering classes if it interests you. CMU, like most schools, accepts very few students off the waiting lists. It’s certainly possible, though, especially if you follow up by writing/calling admissions.</p>

<p>EDIT: whoops, late post. Selena’s got you covered. :)</p>

<p>Hi. I am newly admitted to MCS and Tepper and waitlisted to the Computer Science program during Regular Decision. I was wondering if I can possibly double major or minor in business and math. How about doing a double major with Computer Science and Math? Are these allowed?</p>

<p>Thank you Selena. I think you or Sorcelator addressed this once before, but is the first year SCS curriculum pretty much set for you, depending on placement test results? Or is there some flexibility in either CS courses or electives? I believe DS has to register online before arriving in August so the opportunity to talk face to face with someone in the CS department would be useful.</p>

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<p>Yes, both of those are allowed and (from what I can tell) fairly common. Assuming math is your primary major, here are the requirements for an additional major in business and CS, respectively:
[Additional</a> Major In Business Administration : Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon](<a href=“http://www.tepper.cmu.edu/undergraduate-business/academics/additional-major-in-business-administration/index.aspx]Additional”>http://www.tepper.cmu.edu/undergraduate-business/academics/additional-major-in-business-administration/index.aspx)
[School</a> of Computer Science](<a href=“School of Computer Science < Carnegie Mellon University”>School of Computer Science < Carnegie Mellon University)</p>

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<p>Your math and CS courses are pretty much set for you according to placement test results, and everyone will have to take 151 and Interpretation and Argument (the required writing course). That leaves one class free, which most people choose to fill with either a science or humanities course to start getting those requirements out of the way.</p>

<p>There’s also the freshman immigration course and C@CM, but those don’t really count. :P</p>

<p>Sorcelator, what route would you recommend if I want to transfer into SCS? I got in Tepper School of Business and CIT for Mechanical Engineering but I wouldn’t mind double majoring in business and CS if possible. I’m just wondering if it would cost a lot more to double major and would it take longer to graduate? If I go into CIT, I’m going to transfer to only SCS if possible and not double major if that were the case.</p>

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<p>As a general rule, you shouldn’t make any decisions based on the assumption that you’ll be able to transfer into SCS (although you can probably count on CS as a minor or additional major). So look at it as if you’re just choosing between business and engineering and go with whatever your preference is.</p>

<p>If you’re sure you want to major in CS, then try to go somewhere where you know you can get into the CS program.</p>

<p>What are some popular club sports?
When do clubs meet and for how long?</p>

<p>Hi guys! Is AP/EA program worth going?</p>

<p>Is it possible to transfer from Mechanical Engineering to ECE, if I was not admitted to the ECE?</p>

<p>Is it possible to do a study abroad semester in SCS? Do you know of anyone who has actually done one and if so, where? DS has expressed an interest in this but I was thinking SCS has too many requirements to allow it.</p>

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<p>I’m not exactly sure about the most popular, but I think every club sport is popular amongst those who are interested in it. Here’s a list of current club sports available [Club</a> Sports - Carnegie Mellon University Athletics](<a href=“http://athletics.cmu.edu/recreation/clubsports]Club”>Club Sports - Carnegie Mellon University Athletics)
As for how long, I think depending on the club, they usually meet 2-3 times a week, either on weekends during morning/day or weekdays in the evening. Because club sports are student run, they decide the times, who’s on it, and which schools they will play against.</p>

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<p>Again, as many have asked this already, if you take the intro to ECE and do well in it, while still maintaining your other grades, you should be able to get in.</p>

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<p>Yes, it is possible to do abroad in SCS. My CS friend once expressed interest in doing abroad, however I don’t think it is as popular amongst SCS as it is in other schools. Unless you will be studying at CMU campus in Qatar, I don’t see why abroad for CS is necessary, since many say that CMU CS program is great enough at home.</p>

<p>I’m an ED admit who’s thinking about rushing Alpha Kappa Psi. For some reason, there doesn’t seem to be much discussion about this fraternity on CC. To any current CMU students: how hard is it to get into AKP? What is the frat culture like?</p>

<p>I don’t think CMU’s greek life uses hazing and all, so you shouldn’t worry about that. Frats and sororities are close communities and they do fun activities together, help each other out, etc. I’m not sure what else to say about the culture, it’s just how greek life is. If you stay dedicated throughout the whole rushing process which can take a month or so, you can probably get in. Though I’m not the right person to tell you that since I don’t participate in greek. The only way to find out is talk to current AKP members when you’re here, they will explain everything.</p>

<p>What are the differences between doing something as a primary major and doing something as a secondary major. I can’t seem to find any in the course descriptions that I’ve been looking through in CS as a secondary major. If there are no differences what is the point of applying for a particular school?</p>

<p>please refer to this:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/carnegie-mellon-university/1479837-major-switching-second-major.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/carnegie-mellon-university/1479837-major-switching-second-major.html&lt;/a&gt;
(for some reason the person asking questions deleted his/her posts, but you can still get some information from the posts)
there is definitely a difference:
[CS</a> as a Secondary Concentration](<a href=“http://www.csd.cs.cmu.edu/education/bscs/second.html]CS”>http://www.csd.cs.cmu.edu/education/bscs/second.html)
vs [B.S&lt;/a&gt;. in Computer Science](<a href=“http://www.csd.cs.cmu.edu/education/bscs/currreq_12.html]B.S”>http://www.csd.cs.cmu.edu/education/bscs/currreq_12.html)</p>

<p>I prefer to use a Macbook (family’s PCs and my old PC laptop keep breaking, both are only three years old). However, is there any major issues that I should be aware of that would make using a Macbook a real issue?
If so, what are they and are there PC Computer Labs to use? (Also if not a Macbook, what is a good PC laptop? I would prefer it to be a 13" and be lighter than 4lbs)</p>

<p>When does SIO come online?
I’ve already enrolled and set up my andrew account. I keep reading that I should check SIO for a variety of information, but when I log on it says that “There is no student record associated with this ID.”</p>

<p>If I want a Mudge Quad, is it better to pick roommates or go into random selection? Also, what is your opinion of Mudge House and what other dorm would you suggest?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>