<p>Just thought I'd start a thread if there are any prospective/definite ACES students out there. I'm looking forward to being a part of the program, and thought if anyone else wanted to voice their excitement then there's a thread to do it at!</p>
<p>Be sure to go out to Twitter and Facebook and follow the ACES group if you are joining the ACES program</p>
<p>I’m prospective at the moment, but I’m leaning towards UMD. I’ll be visiting the other school I’m considering (Lehigh) on the 13th, and will probably decide then.
As a future Electrical/Computer Engineer, this has real potential in jobs for me. It’s also really interesting in general, and will probably help in meeting people with similar interests (I doubt anyone in this is someone that dislikes STEM).
Really stoked, and it’s one of the big reasons I’m considering UMD over Lehigh.
Also, just curious: is there anyone who only plans to do ACES I and not ACES II? I’d figure most people would be interested enough that they’d stick around, but apparently you can drop it after sophomore year.</p>
<p>Excellent. Thanks for this. My S is still undecided but leaning towards UMDCP mostly because he got into ACES and is really interested in it. Like FastNeutrino, he is also planning a concentration in either electrical or computer engineering. I know that ACES intended to attract non-STEM type majors, does anyone know how successful they were?</p>
<p>Thanks. I understand that this will be the first year, but the marketing literature (sorry if that term offends, but that’s how I view it) made it sound like they wanted an interdisciplinary group. I was wondering if there were any non-STEM majors – either on this board or on the facebook group – who are thinking seriously of ACES. Most of what I have seen here (my S included) are STEM types (and male, I believe), but this is a very small sample size.</p>
<p>Great discussion. I went to the UMCP open house today and the ACES admitted students program and it really was a treat. I definitely think if you are undecided you need to go to the open house day and listen to the ACES session, it answers all of these things and is really quite exciting. Some quick points:</p>
<p>*The ACES program is designed to be interdisciplinary (to some extent). The ACES I program will probably have students who aren’t particularly in computer science or engineering, but most people will be. ACES II however has course pre-requisites that seem to be mostly geared for the CS/C-Eng track. Either way though, the technical learning begins in ACES I and is designed for people to learn regardless of their background in the technical aspects. The program session does a great job of explaining all of this. In terms of the “marketing” aspects, yes, they talk about how they wanted to attract a diverse group of students ethnically and academically as it will help the creativity of the Cybersecurity program as there will be group learning aspects that highly benefit from this environment. That being said, there were a fair amount of all types of people represented at the information session.</p>
<p>The industry leaders were at our meeting today, particularly Northrop Grumman and some of the other business leaders. They are truly very invested in this program and are excited about making the students succeed, meaning there are great opportunities for those who are interested. </p>
<p>I can only say the best way to understand it all is to go to an open house (there’s one on 4/12/13) and see and talk with the ACES program and the university as a whole. I can’t speak for the computer/electrical engineering program but the CS program at UMCP is just as rigorous and opportunity filled and will be great to pursue alongside the ACES program.</p>
<p>If anyone has further questions please PM. I’m also seeing if we can get some confirmed ACES students who know they will be attending to start talking and sharing some info so we can meet and greet online and potentially see if we can find some roommate matches as ACES students will be dorming together. Feel free to PM me with any of the above.</p>
<p>This is great information TheWizCC. I have a friend who got into ACES so I’ll see if I can get him on here. You may have seen him at the open house today as he said he would be in attendance.</p>
<p>If we can’t make the open house, anything else we would be missing out on? I have my senior day of service on the 12th, and I probably can’t get out of it.</p>
<p>Not in particular. I really think if there is a way to rework your schedule it is well worth it. If you need info on any of the specifics to the ACES program or CS Department I can definitely try my best to answer your questions.</p>
<p>Just checking back in with you all to see how the decision process has been going and if you have any questions. I am really quite excited about the ACES program and think it will be a great opportunity for students to be involved with. The living-learning component combined with both the technical and social, economical, and criminology implications of the field really makes for a fantastic education and opportunity to learn cybersecurity in a way not taught by many universities.</p>
<p>@TrAnMu - Were you able to get in touch with your ACES friend?</p>
<p>Hope everyone is doing well. Be sure to head over to the ACES Facebook and Twitter - they have been adding events @Facebook for the honors college orientations and the official ACES move in day. Definitely a great way to meet people entering the program.</p>