I’m currently a high school junior looking to study Computer Science. Obviously, SCS is very tough to get into, but I was wondering if there were any “backdoors” into SCS. For example, would it be possible for me to apply and get accepted to MCS with a math major and then pursue CS as a minor? Or quite possibly, switch to the CS major altogether after getting accepted to MCS?
I would think this type of backdoor actions would be prevented, but just wanna know about the details. thanks
Doing a math major and a CS minor is certainly possible, but internal transfer to SCS is harder than freshman admission and extremely difficult. Essentially, there is no backside to SCS.
So hypothetically, if I get accepted to MCS, would I be able to get the CS minor from day 1, or would I need to get a certain GPA threshold or whatnot?
Yes, if you are accepted into MCS you can get a CS minor from day 1. Several of the math concentrations leave you about 1 class short of a CS minor and you have plenty of electives to fulfill the CS minor requirements and take more CS classes beyond the minor. If you are considering this path, you need to really, really like math and be very good at it. The math courses are extremely challenging - lots of proofs and problems that take days to answer.